Connecticut Naturopathic Physician Continuing Education

Hour 1 and 2

• Describe the components of the core and the function of the core.
• Describe the function of the diaphragm as it relates to posture, muscular relationships and stability of the spine.
• Describe the function and structure of the superficial muscle system of the body.
• Describe two concepts of spinal stability. 

Hour 3

• Demonstrate how to determine the length of quadratus lumborum and erector spinae. 
• Demonstrate how to evaluate Transversus abdominus function
• Demonstrate how to facilitate the core and initiate a core training program

Hour 4

• List three pathologies related to less than optimal core function.
• Describe three postural strategies that the patient may develop when the core is in dysfunction.
• Describe how weakness of the abdominals can alter diaphragm contractions.
• Explain how respiratory fatigue can alter core control.

• Develop an appreciation of the impact of culture group, minority group and racial group on the health care relationship
• Increase sensitivity, knowledge and skills to promote effective intercultural interactions
• Identify the professional's own cultural identity/judgments /biases and their impact on their behavior and how they are perceived by clients and patients
• Recognize cultural variables that appear in verbal and non-verbal communication
• Examine the influence of culture in our patient population
• Differentiate the provider's culture

• Examine the historical background of the various Latino/Hispanic groups in the U.S.
• Develop the skills needed to care for people from Spanish speaking parts of the world
• Increase our understanding of the cultural traits of Latino/Hispanic groups in the U.S.
• Summarize specific traits of various Latino/Hispanic groups
• Recognize how we can narrow the gap between us

• Develop an appreciation of the impact of culture group, minority group and racial group on the health care relationship.
• Increase sensitivity, knowledge and skills to promote effective intercultural interactions.
• Identify our own provider culture/judgments /biases and their impact.
• Examine characteristics of Asians, Blacks and Middle Easterners.
• Summarize how to care for patients of these three ethnic/racial groups and how to narrow the gap between us
• Develop an understanding/plan of how to reach out to these populations.

• Describe cultural diversity
• Recognize the need for cultural competence in health care
• Explain the concept of health disparity
• Define culture and cultural competence
• Differentiate between the concepts of culture, race, ethnicity, diversity, and minority
• Describe the Cultural Competence Continuum
• Discuss the interdependency between the levels of cultural competence

• Discuss the evolution of multicultural policy
• Describe the phases of multiculturalism
• Discuss three major perspectives on culture and diversity that have influenced healthcare literature and practice
• Identify the common myths and misconceptions associated with culture
• Recognize the paradoxical dilemmas associated with cultural competence

• Identify the need for cultural competence in health care and in medical literature.
• Examine and Research the historical perspectives
• Examine your world view or cultural beliefs about diversity and explain how you can develop an attitude of cultural competence.
• Analyze the five aspects of ethnicity used to describe cultural differences in the health care environment. 

• Review and explain the racial and ethnic disparities in health care.
• Explain the role of health care providers and organizations as mechanisms to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care. 
• Explain how language and communication of the health care provider can be a barrier to establishing relationships.
• Identify tools that can foster empathy for differing cultures.

• Explain the need for improving cultural awareness in the workplace to build cultural competency.
• Identify five practices that can be implemented to increase cultural awareness in the workplace.
• List the benefits of building an organization's cultural competence
• Explain how to deliver culturally competent care.

• Demonstrate The ability to communicate clearly and concisely with current and future patients 
• Describe ways to establish and maintain relationships and facilitate constructive interactions with individuals and diverse groups.
• List strategies to align personal and organizational conduct with ethical and professional standards that include a responsibility to the patient and health care community. 
• Demonstrate an understanding of the healthcare system and the environment in which healthcare managers and providers function.

• Describe diagnostic criteria in the presentation of dementia
• Describe aspects of cognition, ADL and behavior affected by dementia
• Become familiar with differential diagnosis for dementia
• Outline the management of dementia including pharmacologic and non drug therapies
• Review arguments for and against disclosure of a diagnosis of dementia

• Develop the skills for medical documentation record keeping for proper patient care and adherence to insurance protocols
• Summarize informed consent, Evidenced-based care, Medicare guidelines and NCQA guidelines
• Identify common treatment procedures and modalities used in a chiropractic practice And recognize contraindications to them
• designate specific items to consider when interpreting and/or taking plain film X-rays
• Summarize the value of laboratory and diagnostic testing.
• Recognize the importance of patient communication skills in order to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patients
• Modify procedures and forms to prevent the possibility of a legal malpractice action against the doctor

Hour 1

• Utilize improved patient communication skills with Medicare Patients 
• Apply appropriate risk management procedures to enhance patient communication
• Identify the four elements of legal malpractice and recognize the key components to avoid a malpractice action  
• Utilize key components of good documentation and record keeping
• Integrate the legal requirements of informed consent in your informed consent process 

Hour 2

• Summarize why doctors are held to higher standards
• Discuss the Do’s and Don’ts of record keeping
• Use the 21 NCQA guidelines for appropriate medical record keeping and integrate the 3 key components of Evidence Based Practice (EBP)

Hour 3

• Assess Medicare’s mandatory Electronic Health Records (EHR) requirement        
• Discuss key items related to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) reports regarding Medicare and chiropractic services
• Summarize Executive Order issued by the White House titled reducing improper payments and eliminating waste in the Federal Programs

Hour 4

• Determine what triggers an audit and key items to consider if audited
• Utilize a step by step approach to meet all Federal Medicare Documentation guidelines 
• Summarize Medicare’s guidelines for necessity of chiropractic care and its covered services
• Prepare treatment plans per Medicare’s regulation requirements
• Recognize Medicare’s policy requirements pertaining to x-ray/diagnostic reimbursement
• Determine if ordering vs. referred services meet Medicare’s policy when performed by a chiropractic physician

Hour 1

• Demonstrate the key elements pertaining to Medicare’s documentation requirements for initial and subsequent patient encounters  
• Describe the three categories of chiropractic care covered through Medicare and the one category exempt from Medicare coverage
• Apply Medicare’s x-ray requirements for documenting a subluxation
• Utilize Medicare Advance Beneficiary Notification (ABN) form and its guidelines 
• Use Medicare’s PARTS system to document a subluxation
• Summarize the transformation of Medicare’s PARTS system utilizing the AIR S & M method               
• Include proper Medicare documentation for daily progress notes (SOAP), in order to meet insurance guidelines and meet medical necessity 

Hour 2

• Integrate a 4 step approach to meet E/M (Evaluation/Management) coding requirements to meet Medicare’s guidelines

Hour 3

• Review Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MARCA) aka Medicare Quality Payment Program (QPP) and the Merit Based Incentive Payment Program (MIPS)                                                                    

Hour 4

• Apply the critical components of Chiropractic Manipulative Treatment (CMT) coding and Medicare’s requirements for documentation
• Use diagnostic codes ICD-10 (primary subluxation M-codes biomechanical lesions and secondary medical codes) to meet Medicare’s diagnosis requirements
• Recognize Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) codes and how it relates to the Medicare system
• Utilize Medicare modifiers   
• Identify some of the key items with regards to completing the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 1500 claim form   
• Summarize Medicare’s mandatory claims submission policy                                   
• Explain the five levels of Medicare appeals process
• Distinguish between Medicare participating vs. non-participating provider requirements

Hour 1

• Define standard of care.
• Examine the requirements of Chiropractic documentation.
• Evaluate Chiropractic care and the functional relationship.
• Review state specific examples of documentation requirements.
• Discuss what is mean by episode of care.

 Hour 2

• Establish the baseline of care.
• Identify the inadequacies of intake forms.
• Comply with the requirements of the initial encounter report.
• Review the consultation documentation in various case scenarios.
• Apply appropriate medical decision-making processes and documentation.

 Hour 3

• Examine the Documentation Requirements of a SOAP Note.
• Utilize PART in documentation.
• Utilize outcome assessment tests in documenting medical necessity of care.
• Identify Assessment and its relationship to medical necessity.
• Solidify elements of the treatment plan to support medical necessity.
• Apprise utilization management and review analysis of documentation.

• Recognize the common pitfalls that can put your clinic at risk
• Review the difference between a mandatory ABN and a voluntary ABN
• Identify the appropriate time to initiate a mandatory ABN
• Implement customized and compliant ABNs for your clinic by following the rules

• Demonstrate understanding of the key elements of revised E/M services
• Determine the elements that count as Time-Activities and how to calculate appropriately
• Establish protocol to determine Medical Decision Making element of E/M encounter
• Apply the new algorithm to appropriately code for E/M services under the 2021 model
• Discover how to still demonstrate Medical Necessity with the revised E/M codes
• Determine why history and examination are still needed

• Develop the skills for medical documentation record-keeping for proper patient care and adherence to insurance value based parameters
• Recognize the importance, and benefits of thorough chart documentation from the standpoint of the patient, the provider, the profession and third-party payors
• Show how outcome assessment documentation benefits the patient, the provider, the profession, and third-party payors
• Demonstrate physical examination procedures that are the basis for diagnosis formulation and value based data
• Examine skills necessary to incorporate an outcomes-based, evidenced-influenced approach to patient-centered health care in bodily injuries

• Develop the skills for medical documentation record-keeping for proper patient care
• Recognize the importance and benefits of documentation methodology from the standpoint of risk management
• Identify selected documentation problems and errors
• Summarize recommendations for improving patient care documentation for those Doctors not using an EHR

• Define the Problem Oriented Medical Record (POMR).
• Demonstrate taking a complete patient history.
• Define the Evaluation and Management examination for the musculoskeletal system.
• Define Outcome Assessment.
• Illustrate the P.A.R.T. format of documentation.
• Define proper assessment for SOAP notes.
• Discuss proper documentation of treatment performed on each visit.
• Discuss proper documentation of treatment plans.

• Comprehend the reasons for transitioning from ICD9 to ICD10
• Determine the critical differences with the new ICD10 codes
• Utilize the proper alpha and numeric aspects of commonly used ICD10 codes for  Chiropractic
• Observe the practicality of combining clinical documentation and the proper use of ICD10 codes.

• Discuss the history of ICD-10-CM codes
• Discuss the Official ICD-10-CM Guidelines for Coding and Reporting
• Identify and discuss the tools needed to navigate the ICD-10 codes
• Discuss the General Equivalence Mappings (GEM’s) and their significance and how they relate to ICD-10-CM Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries
• Identify and discuss how to select the appropriate ICD-10 code to its highest specificity
• Examples to be discussed

• Recognize the key components regarding good documentation and record keeping
• Identify the legal requirements of informed consent and the key elements of the informed consent process
• Discuss why doctors are held to higher standards
• Describe the 21 NCQA guidelines for record keeping
• Document progress notes (SOAP) to meet insurance guidelines and medical necessity
• Apply the PARTS system and its transformation utilizing a new method AIR S & M
• Utilize CMT coding appropriately
• Utilize E/M (Evaluation/Management) coding appropriately to meet insurance guidelines and medical necessity
• Identify the 3 categories and 2 subcategories of E/M codes
• Identify the 5 levels of E/M services for new and established patients
• Identify the 7 components (descriptors) used to determine the level of E/M service
• Select the appropriate level of E/M services utilizing 7 simple steps

• Differentiate between active and maintenance care in clinical documentation
• Execute the use of advance notice in third party patients correctly and accurately
• Identify and implement strategies to clarify the difference between active and maintenance care in documentation
• Recognize and adopt best practices in proper notification about maintenance care vs. active treatment

• Properly document findings and recommendations around muscle therapies
• Master the documentation necessary in daily visits to verify medical necessity
• Identify and implement strategies the most important findings and rationale necessary to add muscle therapies to the treatment plan
• Recognize how to differentiate between various manual therapies to meet the requirements of third-party payers' medical review policy

• Differentiate between supervised modalities, constant attendance modalities, and therapeutic procedures
• Properly document the time and service for any physical medicine modality and procedure
• Clearly define the rationale for these services within the patient's medical record

• Recognize the varying specific requirements for documenting unique adjusting techniques in regards to compliant records and risk management
• Properly document patient encounters for medical necessity
• Discuss the Medical Review Policy insurers use in reviewing medical documentation
• Review case studies and examples to identify documentation errors during self-auditing

• Apply best practices for using abbreviations, addressing legibility, authentication of signatures, and managing the day-to-day flow of your patient records 
• Clearly delineate the beginning and end of episodes of patient care, proper recording of these episodes, and boundary discussions with patients 
• Locate and utilize the definitions of medically necessary care, and apply it as a differentiator from clinically appropriate care
• Assess documentation across the life cycle of the patient’s chart from history to discharge and on through maintenance and wellness care based on live examples demonstrated
• Identify the deficiencies that may be present in your documentation through the eyes of an auditor

• Utilize documentation requirements for the most commonly used CPT codes in the profession
• Apply coding techniques and algorithms to ensure the proper code is selected to meet E/M documentation guidelines
• Recognize the codes that carry the highest degree of risk and confirm that documentation meets the code requirements
• Identify the mandatory elements of medical review policy for selected chiropractic codes

• Compose Complete and Accurate Treatment Plans
• Formulate multiple Standard Treatment Protocols for better compliance and efficiency
• Differentiate patient care plans per Patient condition severity
• Propose recommendations based on exam findings, not third party coverage