FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL:

> 				Patrick Bernat or Felicity Feather

> 				American Chiropractic Association

> 				800-986-4636

> 

> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 7, 2004

> 

> ACA TO CONSIDER NEXT STEP IN TRIGON CASE,

> CONTINUE FIGHTING BATTLE WITH HHS

> 

> Doctors of Chiropractic Continue to Reap Benefits of ACA Legal 
Action

> 

> Arlington, VA - The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) is 
determining its next course of action in its lawsuit against Trigon 
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Virginia, after the U. S. Fourth Circuit 
Court of Appeals ruled yesterday against ACA> '> s appeal in the 
case.  ACA plans to announce its next move pending a thorough 
review of the opinion handed down by the court.  Meanwhile, ACA 
continues to pursue justice for the chiropractic profession in its 
ongoing, > "> charter> ">  lawsuit against the U.S. Centers for 
Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a division of the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services.

> 

> "> While we are obviously disappointed by this decision, we stand 
firm in our conviction that moving forward with the Trigon lawsuit 
was the right thing to do for the chiropractic profession,> ">  said 
ACA President Donald J. Krippendorf, DC.  > "> The ACA continues to 
fight tooth and nail for justice for the chiropractic profession - and 
our dedication and determination in the Trigon lawsuit has only 
underscored our willingness to stand tall for chiropractic.> "> 

> 

> Through its lawsuit against Trigon -- which addresses what ACA 
believes to be discriminatory reimbursement practices against 
doctors of chiropractic -- ACA alleges antitrust violations, citing 
Trigon> '> s decision to pay doctors of chiropractic 40 percent less 
than what it pays medical doctors for identical services, block 
referrals to doctors of chiropractic, inappropriately reduce codes 
and establish discriminatory limits and caps.  ACA> '> s lawsuit 
against CMS - which gets to the heart of chiropractic -- seeks to 
secure the Medicare chiropractic benefit, > "> manual manipulation 
of the spine to correct a subluxation,> ">  as a chiropractic-only 
service. 

> 

> 

> Despite the setback, the chiropractic profession has already 
made significant progress in the insurance arena thanks to the 
Trigon litigation.   The National Blue Cross Blue Shield Association 
and the ACA have begun working cooperatively to improve 
chiropractic reimbursement in BCBS plans nationwide.

> 

> One tangible benefit that is a direct result of ACA> '> s legal 
action is a new chiropractic benefit - worth an estimated $120 to 
$140 million per year -- in the Federal Employee Health Benefits 
plan administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield.  

> 

> Another favorable outcome of the Trigon case is the launching of 
the Blue CCHiP program (Blues/Chiropractic Clinical Healthplan 
Program), a liaison program that has allowed doctors of chiropractic 
to become integrated into local Blue Cross Blue Shield medical 
policymaking committees across the country.  

> 

> "> These victories did not come by accident,> ">  explained Dr. 
Krippendorf.  > "> They are substantial benefits derived from the 
support we> '> ve received from so many in our profession who want 
what is best for chiropractic.  We> '> ve received assistance in our 
legal battles from all corners of our profession because we> '> re 
doing the right thing.  We remain dedicated to protecting the rights 
of doctors of chiropractic, and we will do what we believe is the 
next right thing to do. > ">   

> 

> The ACA will update the profession regarding the next steps in 
the legal process pending a thorough review of the court> '> s 
opinion.