Super wizard Gary Lewkovich DC once again makes our PI lives easier. Too often we forget that a major component of your PI bill are therapies. According to Lewkovich therapies can make up 50% of the total PI bill. They are a big deal.

But most lay people and adjusters have no idea what the therapies do. Here’s our birds eye view of the basic 11 therapies.

1. Cold Packs 97010: Reduce acute swelling; but repeated use questioned.

2. Diathermy 97024 : Deep heating tissues, value for larger muscles; Note contraindications.

3. Ele Stim 97014 : reduce pain/spasm ; difficult to apply to neck.

4. Hot pack 97010 : after acute period, decrease pain – restores mobility. Billing for repeated uses severely questioned.

5. Iontophoresis 97033 : reducing edema, calcific areas ; Caution to avoid burning and unusual technique limits payment.

Survey of all 11 Adjunctive Therapies will be completed next issue.

Contact JohnTawlian@shawnsteel.com
for the complete article.
 

PI Atty Gets SLAPPed

Dr. Timothy Caruthers DC, San Diego has to be happy. Attorney Tamara Cross sent a $2500 check to cut Caruthers fee of $ 4870. Sadly, the attorney failed to discuss this matter. She just sent a take it or leave it check.

Dr. Caruthers went to small claims court to get his PI balance. In response, the attorney sued Caruthers in Superior Court arguing that the lien was satisfied and the attorney suffered fraud and emotional distress.

Caruthers moved to dismiss the Attorney’s complaint under the anti-SLAPP [strategic lawsuit against public participation] on 1st Amendment grounds. The Court of Appeals concluded that Attorney’s law suit was designed to prevent Caruthers right to petition and free speech. The Court found for Carthuers and awarded over $25,000 in attorney fees against Attorney.

This is a landmark case. Some PI attorneys threaten DC’s if they try to collect their fees. This decision should discourage future attorneys from suing the victim-doctor who didn’t get paid. For a full copy of the decision email me at ShawnSteel@ShawnSteel.com