04/28/2026

THE QUIET RESTRICTION ON CHIROPRACTIC CARE – BUNDLING’S EFFECT ON PATIENT OUTCOMES

By: Renee Haberl, DC Reimbursement Committee Member

Most chiropractors go into practice with a clear goal: give the right care, at the right time, for the patient in front of them. But in many third-party administrator (TPA) systems, that goal is being limited by one thing: bundling. Bundling groups services into a single payment. In theory, it can improve efficiency. In practice—especially in chiropractic—it often doesn’t fit how patients actually present. Chiropractic care is not one-size-fits-all. Patients range from simple, short-term cases to complex conditions involving chronic pain, functional loss, and multiple health issues.

04/28/2026

Join Us at the AAC 2026 Convention – June 12–14 at Wild Horse Pass Resort & Casino

04/21/2026

Transparency Without Accountability: AI Reveals the Truth Behind Chiropractic Reimbursement

The Transparency in Coverage Rule, implemented in July 2022, requires health plans to publish machine-readable files (MRFs) containing negotiated reimbursement rates.¹ While initially viewed as a step toward openness, the true value of these datasets is only now being realized through the application of artificial intelligence. Using AI-powered analysis of MRF data across Arizona, a clear and consistent pattern has emerged: Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) are reimbursed significantly less than other provider types for identical billing codes. This is not an isolated finding. It is consistent across payers, regions, and contract structures.

04/16/2026

The Architecture of Constrained Care: When System Design Limits Patients, Not Just Providers

Healthcare delivery within third-party administrator (TPA) frameworks is often evaluated in pieces: reimbursement, prior authorization, documentation, or utilization controls. But when these elements are viewed together, a different picture emerges. They are not independent. They function as a system, one that increasingly constrains how care is accessed, delivered, and sustained.