Accountant Newsroom

ACA Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics Statement in Response to UHC Denial of Chiropractic Services for Children

Arlington, Va.- In its September 2007 Network Bulletin (Volume 21), United Healthcare (UHC) stated: "A recent review of the clinical evidence in published peer-reviewed medical literature leads us to further conclude that chiropractic services for treatment of children and adolescents is unproven…"

As representatives of the thousands of chiropractors who treat children across the United States and who have done so for over a century, we take issue with UHC’s "conclusions." All chiropractors are trained in pediatrics during their doctoral education. Chiropractors may also further their pediatrics training through post-doctoral programs and receive board certification in chiropractic pediatrics. Since chiropractors are licensed and legally allowed to treat children in all 50 states in the United States, we call into question UHC’s capricious and spurious conclusions.

According to UHC’s statement, their conclusions are based upon "published peer-reviewed medical literature." However, UHC failed to cite references to substantiate its claim, in accordance with the most basic principles of scientific review. This makes it impossible for us to respond to the substance of their claims. Furthermore, even if it is true that such literature exists, this would not differentiate chiropractic care for children from any of the dozens of treatments that UHC covers that do not have peer-reviewed studies conclusively proving their effectiveness to treat a given condition. It would appear that UHC is applying a separate and more stringent standard to chiropractors than to other providers.

Moreover, chiropractic care is a broad-based form of health care, including, but not limited to, manual therapies, physiotherapies, nutritional advice, exercise prescription and lifestyle advice. If UHC denies coverage for these services for children, then such services would have to be denied for all providers of such services, including pediatricians. It is unethical to deny services from one provider licensed to provide such a service, while covering those same services when delivered by another provider.

Chiropractic represents a gentle, safe and natural form of health care fully sanctioned across the United States. We ask that UHC immediately rescind its statement and provide full coverage for those families who wish to exercise their freedom of choice and choose a chiropractor to provide health care services for their children.