ROAD TO PRACTICE:
KENTUCKY
1. Join State Association
Web page link
Membership Fees
Membership Type | Fee |
Student | $25.00 |
1st – 3rd Years in Practice | Pro-rated membership |
Discounts for multiple-doctor practices with multiple KAC members. Corporate membership, also available. Multiple levels of membership based on additional benefits.
Member benefits
-
Forms for insurance processing and good faith estimates, and more!
-
CEUs provided
-
Compliance practices materials
-
SecureCare membership
- District organization, with meeting for members quarterly
2. License Requirements
Applying for a License
Website to apply for license: https://kbce.ky.gov/
- License application checklist: https://kbce.ky.gov/Documents/License%20Checklist%20for%20Web.pdf
- Fees and application
- NBCE scores directly from NBCE
- Official copy of transcripts
- Copy of Chiropractic College Diploma
- License verification for previously held licenses
- 3-character reference letters
- No background check or finger printing required
- Jurisprudence exam online after license is issued
-
Parts I*, II*, III* and IV*, PT: Required – PASSING SCORE IS 375
NBCE Acupuncture is not accepted.
NBCE SPEC is not accepted unless to reinstate a license that has been inactive or expired for 4+ years.
State Scope of Practice
Contact State for precise definition by state law.
Doctor of Chiropractic means one qualified by experience and training and licensed by the Board to diagnose his patients and to treat those of his patients diagnosed as having diseases or disorders relating to subluxations of the articulations of the human spine and its adjacent tissues by indicated adjustments or manipulation of those subluxations and by applying methods of treatments designed to augment those adjustments or manipulation. Any person licensed under this chapter may sign death certificates, and sign and execute all legal documents and certificates with the same authority as members of other schools or systems of treatment. Synopsis taken from FCLB.org
- Physiotherapy is considered an adjunctive treatment included in the chiropractic license
- Further regulatory information can be found: https://kbce.ky.gov/newstatic_Info.aspx?static_ID=688&menuid=226
CEU (for renewal) requirements
- Annual renewal, March 1
- 12 hours per year
- 12 distance hours maximum per renewal
- A maximum of 8 hours can be completed in one day.
- Jurisprudence course required (2 hours) for first year licensees in place of 12 hour CEU requirement
- Courses must be on the approved list of CE by the KBCE. Find latest list here: https://kbce.ky.gov/newstatic_Info.aspx?static_ID=427&menuid=122
3. Getting Your NPI Number
(New Practioner Identification) Number
Step by step instructions
https://www.nata.org/sites/default/files/apply_npi_instructions.pdf
4. Obtaining an EIN
Step by step instructions
TYPE OF BUSINESS BREAKDOWN
Business Structure |
Ownership |
Liability |
Taxes |
Sole Proprietorship |
One person |
Unlimited personal liability |
Personal tax only |
Partnership |
Two or more persons |
Unlimited personal liability unless structured as a limited partnership |
Self-employment tax (except for limited partnership), Personal tax |
Limited Liability Company (LLC) |
Two or more persons |
Owners are not personally liable |
Self-employment tax, Personal tax or Corporate tax |
Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) |
Two or more persons |
Owners are not personally liable |
Self-employment tax, Personal tax or Corporate tax |
Corporation – C Corp |
One or more persons |
Owners are not personally liable |
Corporate tax |
Corporation – S Corp |
One or more persons, but no more than 100 and all must be US citizens |
Owners are not personally liable |
Personal tax |
Corporation – B Corp |
One or more persons |
Owners are not personally liable |
Corporate tax |
Corporation – Nonprofit |
One or more persons |
Owners are not personally liable |
Tax-exempt, but corporate can’t be distributed |
Note: The difference between an LLC and a PLLC is that all members of PLLC are required to be designated professionals.
What is an Associate?
An associate receives pay from the office by which they are employed. If you are an associate who will be dealing with vendors for selling goods, you should consider getting an EIN.
What is an independent Contractor?
An independent contractor receives pay from their patients and insurance companies directly. If you are an independent contractor, you need an EIN.
5. Obtaining Malpractice Insurance
Malpractice Insurance Providers
-
NCMIC – https://www.ncmic.com/malpractice-insurance/how-to-apply-online/
-
ChiroSecure – https://www.chirosecure.com
-
General Liability Insurance – https://generalliabilityinsure.com/small-business/chiropractic-insurance.html
-
ChiroFuture – https://chirofutures.org/online-quote/
-
SDN Insurance – http://sdnins.com/chiropractor.html
-
CoverMD – http://www.covermd.com/chiropractor-malpractice-insurance.aspx
-
Insureon – https://alliedhealth.insureon.com/resources/cost/chiropractic
-
MBS Insurance Services – https://www.mbsinsure.com/solutions/malpractice-insurance/
-
USA Business Insurance – https://www.businessinsuranceusa.com/chiropractor-professional-liability-insurance
-
CM&F – https://www.cmfgroup.com/professional-liability-insurance/chiropractic-assistant-insurance/
-
MACARIO Insurance Group – https://www.macarioinsurance.com/who-we-cover/all-classes-of-business/
-
Chiroprefered – https://chiropreferred.com/find-the-right-coverage
Claims Made
A policy providing coverage that is triggered when a claim is made against the insured during the policy period, regardless of when the wrongful act that gave rise to the claim took place. (The one exception is when a retroactive date is applicable to a claims-made policy.)
Occurrence
An occurrence policy covers claims resulting from an injury or another event that occurs during the policy term. Coverage depends on the timing of the event. A claims-made policy covers claims that are made during the policy period.
Tail Coverage
An addition to a claims-made policy. It extends coverage for incidents that happened during the time you had your policy, but a claim was not filed until after your policy expired or was canceled. Tail coverage is another name for an extended reporting period.
Note: $1 Million/$3 Million is the minimum plan required in order to participate with some Insurance Companies.
6. Participating with Insurance Providers
Managed Care Organizations (MCO)
Issuer | Phone | Website |
---|---|---|
Aetna Better Health of Kentucky | 855-300-5528 | Aetna Better Health |
Humana Healthy Horizons in Kentucky | 800-444-9137 | Humana |
Passport Health Plan by Molina Healthcare | 844-778-2700 | Passport |
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan | 866-293-1796 | United Healthcare Community |
WellCare of Kentucky | 877-389-9457 | WellCare |
Qualified Health Plans (QHP)
Issuer | Phone | Website |
---|---|---|
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield | 855-738-6671 | Anthem |
CareSource | 844-539-1733 Member Services |
CareSource |
Passport Health Plan by MolinaHealthcare | 833-644-1621 Member Services |
Passport |
Passport Health Plan by MolinaHealthcare | 888-466-4477 Billing and Payment Services |
Passport |
Ambetter by Wellcare of Kentucky | 833-705-2175 | Ambetter |
Map of counties based on coverage: https://khbe.ky.gov/Plans/Pages/2024-Health-Insurance-Companies.aspx
- a. As of this writing, most private insurance companies rely on the Council for Affordable Quality Health Care (CAQH) to verify your credentials. You will also need CAQH credentialing for some of the government supplemented participations as well. Others will use Availity for your credentialing, however as of this writing that is becoming less common. Keep in mind, you only need one account on either of these, and then will give permissions to each insurance company you are working to participate with to access your information and to be verified as a provider.
- Availity: https://www.availity.com/essentials
- CAQH: information needed can be filled out here: https://proview.caqh.org/Login/
-
- NUCC Grouping: Chiropractic Providers
- Provider type: Doctor of Chiropractic
- Select your state
- Social security number
- Demographics and contact information
- License number(s) and state(s)
- Educational information (about your chiropractic school and degree)
- Board certified: No (chiropractors are not board certified, and do not need to be)
- You may select directory listings and other searchable tags
- Practice location(s), including TIN
- You may add credentialing contact information if you are using a third party, but if you are doing this yourself you may skip this section.
- Malpractice insurance information: company, expiration dates, and policy numbers.
- 10 year work history, dates, addresses, etc.
- Professional disclosures
- Documents to upload:
- Standard authorization release; updated every 120 days
- Professional liability insurance verification (proof of insurance)
- State license (copy)
- W9
Medicare Enrollment:
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/Downloads/cms855i.pdf
Medicare Revalidation: PECOS:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/PaLEWx0JGPw?rel=0&autoplay=0
Tips For Medicare Audit/Record Request Tips
https://www.acatoday.org/Practice-Resources/Medicare/Medicare-Audit-Record-Request-Tips
Type Of Audit And Record Requests
https://www.acatoday.org/practice-resources/medicare/medicaretpe/
Targeted Probe And Education (TPE)
http://www.acatoday.org/MedicareTPE
Medicare Training For The Chiropractic Office
https://learn.acatoday.org/products/medicare-training-for-the-chiropractic-office
How To Bill Secondary Insurance Plans
https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/how-medicare-works-with-other-insurance
Which Insurance Pays First
https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/how-medicare-works-with-other-insurance/which-insurance-pays-first
Medicaid Participation
VIEW MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS CHART ABOVE
Medicaid: administered by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services
- Type 85 (individual) or 859 (group) provider
- Providers must be enrolled with Medicare
- Must substantiate medical necessity
- Included services:
-
- Evaluation and management
- Chiropractic manipulative treatment
- Diagnostic x-rays
- Hot or cold packs
- Mechanical traction
- Electrical stimulation
- Ultrasound
-
- Limited to 26 visits per 12 month period
- Prior Authorizations may apply through MCO
- Legislative language: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/907/003/125/
- Medicaid coverage and contact information: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/dpo/bpb/Pages/chiropractor.aspx
- As defined in the legislation: section 342.019
- Right of employees to choose the services of a licensed chiropractor
- https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=32373#:~:text=of%20chiropractic%20services.-,A%20doctor%20of%20chiropractic%2C%20licensed%20to%20practice%20under%20the%20provisions,provisions%20of%20KRS%20Chapter%20342.