In 2007, the Alternative Medicine Integration study was updated, covering the years 2003-2005. The results of the original study were confirmed, with demonstrated decreases of: 60.2% decrease in in-hospital admissions 59% decrease in hospital days 62% decrease in outpatient surgeries and procedures, and 85% decrease in pharmaceutical costs. Source: Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, May 2007 Alternative Medicine Integration Study results available at: www.jmptonline.org/article/S0161-4754(07)00076-0/abstract According to Dr. Richard I. Sarnat, M.D., his research, conducted over a ten-year period utilizing clinical and cost outcomes data from one of the nations largest insurance underwriters, suggest that the regular utilization of chiropractic could reduce the need for hospitalization, pharmaceutical usage and overall global health care costs by almost 50 percent!

July 7, 2013. Washington. In case readers missed it with all the coverage of the Trayvon Martin murder trial and the Supreme Courts rulings on gay marriage and the Voting Rights Act, the US Supreme Court also made a ruling on lawsuits against drug companies for fraud, mislabeling, side effects and accidental death. From now on, 80 percent of all drugs are exempt from legal liability. In a 5-4 vote, the US Supreme Court struck down a lower courts ruling and award for the victim of a pharmaceutical drugs adverse reaction. According to the victim and the state courts, the drug caused a flesh-eating side effect that left the patient permanently disfigured over most of her body. The adverse reaction was hidden by the drug maker and later forced to be included on all warning labels. But the highest court in the land ruled that the victim had no legal grounds to sue the corporation because its drugs are exempt from lawsuits. Read more on Karen Bartlett vs. Mutual Pharmaceutical Company at http://www.whiteoutpress.com/articles/q32013/supreme-court-rules-drug-companies-exempt-from-lawsuits/

In developing benefit plans and reporting inappropriate actions of insurers, the patient is often the most effective advocate. The main area of oversight of Departments of Insurance around the country is to protect the consumer (the patient). Employers have a vested interest in ensuring the health and safety of their employees. The ACA has developed resources to assist patients in advocating for appropriate care and putting a stop to unfair insurer practices which put patients at risk. Listed below are methods by which you, the patient, can advocate for yourself. Increasing/Requesting Chiropractic Benefits Resources to Educate Others about Chiropractic Lodging a Complaint-Who to Go To and When If Your Plan is Not Covered by ERISA, Contact Your Department of Insurance Give Us Your Feedback Chiropractic Networks Management Companies Used by Insurers For further information on each of the above mentioned areas, please go to www.acatoday.org/PatientResource.