As we move into 2025, it is important to share some of the exciting progress happening within chiropractic here in Nebraska. Looking back over the past few years, it continues to amaze me how much the narrative around chiropractic has shifted.

For many years, it often felt like chiropractors were standing on the outside of healthcare, looking in. Whether that was simply our perception, a self-fulfilling prophecy, or the reality of the time — things are clearly changing. Today, that dynamic looks very different.

As the NCPA continues to engage with medical and leadership communities across Nebraska, we are finding that doors are opening in ways they haven’t before. Organizations that once may have been distant are now welcoming us, eager to collaborate. We’re working to open relationships with the Nebraska Medical Association, Nebraska Physical Therapy Association, and others. We currently have a meeting scheduled to meet with the physician assistants. Our outreach is expanding to rural hospital systems across the state, as well as to the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Creighton Medical School — all with the goal of building partnerships that ultimately will benefit patients.

If you attended the NCPA Annual Meeting, you heard firsthand about our new collaborative project with Nebraska Spine. Their leadership expressed a genuine desire to work alongside chiropractors and view us as partners in spinal care. They’ve proposed several ways to strengthen our relationship and better integrate care for patients. We’re also seeing more specialists across Nebraska recognizing the value of chiropractic and integrating it into their treatment plans.

Historically, chiropractic has often tried to “go it alone.” We are learning that the future success of chiropractic depends not on isolation, but on working with others. That doesn’t mean we lose our identity or abandon our philosophy. Additionally, it certainly doesn’t mean there won’t be disagreements along the way. This new direction of finding opportunities to collaborate means working together for the good of patients, and for the good of healthcare as a whole.

This collaborative spirit is perhaps most evident in the conversations happening around reimbursement. Many chiropractors have reached out to the NCPA with concerns about reimbursement lagging far behind inflation. While this is certainly a concern within chiropractic, it’s also an issue impacting all of healthcare. Real progress on reimbursement won’t come from chiropractors working alone — it will come from collaborating with others to advocate for change that benefits providers and patients alike. And in doing so, we continue to build understanding and trust with other healthcare providers.

It is important to take a moment to thank the many people working tirelessly to move chiropractic forward in Nebraska. Lori continues to go above and beyond, spreading the word about chiropractic through countless platforms and events. Dr. Nick Payne and Dr. Mark Knoll are building critical relationships with medical leaders across the state, creating new opportunities for collaboration. And of course, thank you to Lou Andersen, whose vision and leadership guide all these efforts.



Most importantly, thank you to all of you — our members. The strength of the NCPA comes directly from your commitment, your involvement, and your willingness to work together to move chiropractic forward. There is still so much opportunity ahead of us — a long runway for growth and success. It’s vital that our leadership stays focused on the long game, and that our team continues to execute on that vision.

Together, we are shaping a stronger future for chiropractic in Nebraska.

Please feel free to contact me at MedicareNebraska@ncpa.net any time if you have questions.

As chiropractic continues to evolve within Nebraska's healthcare system, one of the most important priorities for the NCPA is strengthening our relationships with other healthcare professionals. These relationships are not just about networking—they are strategic investments in chiropractic's long-term recognition and inclusion within collaborative care models.

In recent months, we have engaged with various organizations, including the Nebraska Hospital Association, Nebraska Medical Association, American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) – Nebraska Chapter, Nebraska, Nebraska Occupational Therapy Association, Nebraska Association of Physician Assistants, and Nebraska Workers' Compensation Association. These relationships allow us to learn from one another, create shared language, and work toward common goals that ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Another key priority has been education- ensuring chiropractic is accurately and thoughtfully represented within Nebraska's healthcare landscape. We are building relationships with both chiropractic and medical schools and engaging the public to promote a clearer understanding of chiropractic's role in modern care. These efforts help shape how future providers and the general public perceive our profession, creating opportunities to correct misinformation, open minds, and build trust from the ground up.

One recent example of this progress came during our participation in the APTA Nebraska Annual Conference. Our physical therapy colleagues warmly welcomed us; the conversations were meaningful and forward-thinking. Several attendees expressed genuine interest in collaboration and shared common concerns across professions. It was a strong reminder that, while each profession brings its perspective and approach, we are aligned in our mission to serve patients.

This work strengthens—not replaces—our professional identity. It ensures that chiropractic care remains part of the solution in Nebraska's evolving healthcare system. This kind of engagement ensures that chiropractic is not left out of conversations that impact healthcare delivery, policy, and access. It positions us as contributors—healthcare professionals willing to listen, educate, and work together to improve outcomes for the health of all Nebraskans.

As we continue to build these relationships, our focus remains clear: ensuring Nebraskans have access to high-quality, cost-effective, conservative care. By showing up, staying engaged, and leading with professionalism, we create space for chiropractic in the future of healthcare—not as an option but as a valued and necessary partner.

SecureCare is pleased to announce that effective July 1, 2025, chiropractic reimbursement rates for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska will increase to 144% of published January 2024 CMS rates. Currently, Blue Cross and Blue Shield reimburse chiropractic services at approximately 139%.

This increase reflects Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska's recognition of the value of chiropractic and ranks among the best reimbursement levels in America. SecureCare and Blue Cross continue to maintain an excellent working relationship.

A notification will be sent to SecureCare providers when the complete listing of rates is available for viewing in the Luviel portal.

We hope you recognize the value SecureCare delivers to you as an active provider. We proudly represent you as one of Blue Cross and Blue Shields's most important Physician Hospital Organizations (PHOs).

The spring convention had a record turnout of almost 400 doctors in attendance. The refreshing atmosphere and superior guest services team at the Omaha Marriott Downtown were a welcomed change to facilitate the large number of attendees. While we understand not every location is a perfect fit for each person, please understand that we strive to ensure the levels of cleanliness, service, food quality, and value meet the needs of the group at large.

There were a wide variety of educational topics and nationally known speakers including Dr. Mark Sanna, Dr. Bill Moreau, Dr. Terry Yochum, Dr. Brandon Steele, and a special presentation by Dr. Eric Harrison and Dr. Jon Stucky from Chiro Heroes on human trafficking. Dr. Christopher Smoley taught the chiropractic assistant limited radiography session on Friday. On Saturday, The chiropractic assistant seminar was led by with Ann Bruns and Beth Baer from SecureCare, Dr. Brad Stauffer regarding Medicare, and Tawny Archer from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska.

The Night at the Joslyn was a memorable night as attendees of all ages were able to enjoy the new building addition and the museum's world-renowned art collection. Children got to participate in hands-on creativity in Art Works, and all groups could test their own "I Spy" abilities with museum-wide art scavenger hunt. The evening was truly a unique experience in a beautiful space.

Saturday's NCPA Annual Membership Meeting had a brief presentation by Dr. Tim Burd from the Nebraska Spine + Pain Center and a special moment of recognition for NCPA Board President, Dr. Brad Stauffer, who received the ChiroCongress State Association Leader of the Year Award at their fall convention. Lifetime Member awards were presented to Bill Bruening, Bruce Crabtree, DC, Timothy Fuehrer, DC, GH Hanssen, DC, Kevin Howard, DC, James Thor, DC, Michael Ward, DC, and Mary Beth Wheeler, DC.



The 2025 NCPA Fall Convention will be held August 7-10, 2025, at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney. Details are being finalized and registration will begin mid-June. We hope to see you there!

Our efforts this year continue to be driven by collaboration — not just with State Senators, but also by building stronger relationships across the broader medical community.

While there are no specific chiropractic bills in this session, we’ve been actively engaged in shaping many bills already introduced. Much of that work has centered around our growing partnership with the Nebraska Medical Association (NMA). We’ve found them to be a constructive and willing partner on several fronts. One of the best examples of this is our inclusion in the recently passed bill aimed at increasing Medicaid reimbursement across Nebraska. This was a truly collaborative effort — a bill designed to raise reimbursement rates for all providers in the state, provided we can clear the final hurdle of federal approval.

Beyond that, we’ve also worked closely with the NMA and other groups to adjust language in various bills — often small tweaks, but ones that provide clarity and improve the practice environment for chiropractors. One example of this was our work with the Occupational Therapists on their scope of practice update. We believe our collaboration strengthened their bill while also including important clarifications that help protect patients and define boundaries.

As we’ve worked alongside Senators this year, we’re seeing more of them start to view the healthcare landscape through our lens. That’s a shift that has been earned through years of steady, relationship-driven work by the NCPA and its members. That kind of long-term trust is vital to advancing chiropractic while ultimately serving the best interests of our patients.

If there’s one challenge, that should be highlighted this year, it’s the continued struggle with PAC fundraising. Fixing issues like reimbursement — and other challenges impacting our practices — requires us to be at the table. Building the relationships necessary to drive that change often starts with PAC support.

Unfortunately, our PAC donations continue to lag. What’s most surprising (and frankly disappointing) is that a significantly higher percentage of employees from SecureCare and the NCPA contribute to the PAC than do practicing chiropractors in the field — the very people who experience the daily frustrations of poor reimbursement and limited political influence.

We thank those within SecureCare and the NCPA for stepping up, but it’s frustrating to see that many of our own doctors have yet to see PAC contributions for what they are: an investment in their own future. If we want to fix reimbursement — particularly the complex issues rooted in federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid — we have to be at the table, and that takes resources. 

It’s my hope that moving forward, we can better communicate this message to our doctors in the field. If we want to see real change — including improved reimbursement — it starts with supporting the people doing the work at the State Capitol and in Washington D.C. The PAC is the vehicle that allows us to do just that.

Why Should I Give to the Political Action Committee (PAC)?

I know the questions many of you are asking — How does giving to the PAC affect me? Why should I give?

The simple answer is this: every aspect of your practice is influenced — and often controlled — by politics. It’s easy to overlook, but it’s the reality we operate in every single day.

→ Struggling with low reimbursements? That's tied to Medicare reimbursement rates — set by politicians.

→ Frustrated with Medicare’s limited coverage for chiropractic care? Political.

→ Scope of practice limitations? Political.

→ Tax burdens? Political.

Nearly every challenge or opportunity in your practice ultimately comes down to legislative decisions.

So, What Can You Do About It?

This is where the NCPA comes in. We work tirelessly to track, influence, and shape the policies that directly affect your ability to practice and succeed. But relationships with decision-makers don’t just happen — they are built. And building those relationships takes resources.

PAC funds are the tool we use to open doors, have conversations, and support candidates who stand with chiropractic.

Why Don’t More People Give?

We’ve heard all the reasons:

→ “I don’t like politics.”

→ “You might donate to someone I don’t support.”

→ “I can’t afford to.”

But here’s the truth: politics affects everything about your practice, whether you like it or not. And PAC contributions aren’t about party lines — they’re about supporting chiropractic champions who will advocate for your profession.

And can you really afford not to give?

If we want:

• Better reimbursement
• A great scope of practice
• Equal footing with Medicare
• A healthier environment to practice and thrive

…then we must have the resources to fight for it.

A Surprising Truth

Here’s what might surprise (or disappoint) you: the very people who benefit most from these efforts are often the least invested financially. The reality- the employees of SecureCare and NCPA — people who don’t directly profit from practicing chiropractic — donate to the PAC at a significantly higher rate than our doctors do.

Think of Donating to the PAC as an Investment

I encourage you to think of your PAC contribution not as a donation, but as an investment in your future — in your practice, your profession, and your ability to care for your patients without unnecessary roadblocks.

Just like you invest in equipment, marketing, or continuing education to grow your practice, investing in the PAC is investing in the environment that allows your practice to succeed.

PAC funds go directly to candidates who support chiropractic — those committed to improving your practice environment and advocating for your patients’ access to care.

Will You Invest in Your Future?

Please consider contributing to the PAC today. One adjustment a month to each the State and Federal PAC funds can help move the needle. Together, we can ensure a brighter, stronger future for chiropractic — not just for today, but for generations to come.

In December 2024, a Medicaid quick reference guide was sent out to be a resource for all three Medicaid payers. It is once again reminded, that Medicaid does reimburse chiropractic adjustments, therapies, exams and x-rays if properly coded and the correct modifiers are used. If you have specific questions, please seek clarification. We attempt to stay up to date with the changes with all three payers, but if you or your office notices something that may be changing or think would benefit the members of the association overall; we would appreciate the information as soon as you see something.

We continue to monitor legislative changes on the state and federal levels. At this point, it appears to be a little bit of a mixed bag as we are advocating for funding increases on the state level while efforts in Washington may be looking to cut Medicaid funding on the national level. As updates come in, we will make sure to keep members up to date.

Lastly, there has been some clarification on the Medicaid lien situation in regard to auto accidents with Medicaid patients. We have been running into timely filing issues with doctors billing attorneys at the end of treatment, but then the attorney requests that the claim be filed to Medicaid. If you identify the claim as an auto accident, Medicaid can be billed for treatment rendered, but it is important to note that there are subrogation measures that Medicaid will take to claw back money from the claim.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me directly at aspracklinpc@gmail.com.

Our last Board of Chiropractic (BOC) meeting was held on February 12, 2025, at the Nebraska State Office Building.

Board Membership: The current board members are:

Scott Misek, DC – Board Chairman

Heather Henrichs, DC – Vice Chair

Brian Stevens, DC – Secretary

David Henske – Public Member

Regulations Update: The amended chapter of our regulations that governs chiropractic practice in Nebraska has been approved by the Attorney General’s office and is now being reviewed by the Governor’s Office.    

FCLB Update: The Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Board’s 98th Annual Conference will be held May 1-4, 2025, in St. Louis, MO.

Next Meeting: The next quarterly BOC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 9:00 AM, at the Nebraska State Office Building. As always, the public is always invited to attend the meetings. 

The most recent meeting of the Nebraska State Board of Health (BOH) was held in Lincoln at the State Office Building on Monday, March 17, 2025.

Professional Boards Committee

The Professional Boards Committee of the Board of Health is responsible for recruiting, interviewing, and appointing all professional and public members to all the professional boards within DHHS.

Dr. Brian Stevens is currently serving his first five-year term on the Board of Chiropractic, which will expire on November 20, 2026. Dr. Heather Henrichs is also serving her first five-year term, which expires on November 30, 2025.

Credentialing Review Committee (407 process)

Occupational Therapists: The Board of Health voted unanimously in favor of approving the Credentialing Review application by the Occupational Therapy (OT) profession to update and expand their scope of practice.

Of most interest to Doctors of Chiropractic:

1.  Dry Needling: OT’s will be able to perform dry needling, after completion by training approved by the Board of Occupational Therapy. Dr. Melissa Kimmerling of their association stated that they expect a very small number of OTs will be interested in performing dry needling and the training requirements have not yet been identified.
2. Spinal Manipulation: Any form of spinal manipulation will not be within the scope of practice of OTs, and the following language is included in the application approved by the Board of Health:

“Mechanical devices do not include devices to perform spinal traction. The scope of practice of occupational therapists does not include the use of joint manipulation, grade V mobilization/manipulation, thrust joint manipulation, high velocity/low-amplitude thrust, nor any other procedure intended to result in joint cavitation. Joint manipulation commences where grades one through four mobilization ends.”

Nurse Practitioners: The APRN’s have submitted a letter of intent which indicates the plan to submit a 407 review. Their application will include the ability to perform fluoroscopy.

If you have any concerns or questions related to the BOH, please email me at dougvanderbroek@gmail.com.  

We kicked off 2025 by attending the WellPower Movement's annual Governor's Walk in January, which is always a good networking event through the Nebraska Sports Council.

In February, the "I Love My Chiropractor" contest provided great social media reach and highlighted that patients really do love their chiropractor! Congratulations to Dr. Nicholas Fanning from North Platte, who won free spring convention registration!

In early March, the NCPA hosted the Legislative Reception with special guest, Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly. We had a good turnout of Senators, many of which were new this year. Senator Ben Hansen introduced his colleagues and provided remarks as pictured below. It was apparent that the chiropractic profession remains his passion, and the event is an important way for us to build relationships and educate the Senators about the importance of chiropractic care.

On March 14, Dr. Knoll attended the Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska Annual Conference in Kearney. This important event provides caregivers, health care professionals, and traumatic brain injury survivors a place to network, learn, and support one another. We look forward to this event every year to show chiropractic as a viable treatment option.

Saturday, March 29, marked our first time exhibiting at both the APTA-NE conference and the Black Families Health and Wellness Association Annual Health Fair. We were welcomed at both events! The health fair was a well-attended event where many wanted to learn more about chiropractic care, and several current patients shared how great they feel because of their chiropractor!

The Nebraska Chiropractic Physicians Association (NCPA) has begun developing online continuing education (CE) content exclusively for its members. This content will be available as part of your current membership dues and will be no additional cost. Courses will be provided through the CE21 platform allowing for easy access and consistency in tracking CE hours.

Currently, the state of Nebraska allows six hours of credit for independent or online study during each 24-month license renewal period. Administrative steps have recently been taken to expand online study to twelve hours during each renewal period. If approval of expansion of online hours is received, additional information will be disseminated by the NCPA as to the effective date of this change.

Below is a list of online classes currently under development:

Healthcare Quality: Creating a Safer System: 1-hour

o  Speaker: Dana Steiner MSN, MBA, CPHQ: Nebraska Hospital Association

Brief Course Description: Participants should achieve a strong understanding of the healthcare quality system

Essential Laboratory Procedures for the Chiropractic Physician: 1-hour

o  Speaker: Christopher Murray DC, DABCI, ND, NRCME: NCPA Member

Brief Course Description: Participants will learn how the use of lab procedures will benefit your practice. This could include either blood draws performed in your office or referrals to an outside lab

Occupational Medicine: Integrating into the Working Community: 1-hour

o  Speaker: Christopher Murray DC, DABCI, ND, NRCME: NCPA Member

Brief Course Description: Participants learn how to expand your reach into the community and grow your practice by using Occupational Medicine Services

Recognizing and Managing Skin Lesions: A Collaborative Approach for Chiropractors: 1-hour

o  Speaker: Erin Barrett MD: UNMC Dermatology Faculty

Brief Course Description: This course is designed to provide chiropractors with essential knowledge for identifying and managing skin lesions. 

Sitting Dysfunction: Identification, Treatment and Clinical Success: 1-hour

o  Speaker: Scott Donkin DC, DACBOH: NCPA Member

Brief Course Description: Many people spend hours sitting each day. Dr. Donkin, author of “Sitting on the Job” provides valuable information which can be used to educate your patients.

Optimizing Patient Outcomes and Practice Success with Posture-driven Ergonomics: 1-hour

o  Speaker: Scott Donkin DC, DACBOH: NCPA Member

Brief Course Description: Technological advances place unusual stresses on our bodies. This course discusses how a proper understanding of ergonomics can be used to counteract these stresses.

Pediatric Sports Injuries of the lower extremity: 2-hours

o  Speaker: Brandon Steele DC, DACO: ChiroUp

Brief Course Description: The speaker discusses the following pediatric sports injuries: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Osgood Schlatter’s, Shin Splints and Sever’s Disease

Chiropractic & its increasing cultural authority: 1-hour

o  Speaker: Carl Cleveland DC: President, Cleveland Chiropractic College

Brief Course Description: This course will discuss how expanding chiropractic into the Veterans Administration, the Department of Defense as well as ongoing chiropractic research are increasing the DC’s cultural authority with the public

The NCPA plans to develop new and interesting course content for each two-year licensing cycle. At the end of each cycle, current content will no longer be available, and new content will be added. We encourage members to watch all of the courses as they will fit easily into a lunch and learn schedule.

We are using this new online format to branch out and introduce some speakers normally not used for in-person conferences and as an opportunity to collaborate and provide content from other healthcare professions.  

More information will be sent out when these courses become available. We welcome your feedback as we undertake this new endeavor. 

The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has been active in recent weeks lobbying in the U.S. Congress for Medicare reimbursement reform and against cuts to Medicaid. ACA has joined forces with two prominent coalitions to advocate for Medicare reimbursement stabilization via the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act (H.R. 879), and against proposed cuts to the Medicaid program. Meanwhile, it is vital for all doctors of chiropractic to continue to reach out to their representatives and senators and ask them to cosponsor the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act (H.R.539/S.106). You can send a pre-written message to Congress at www.votervoice.net/ACA/Campaigns.

In other news, ACA has established a Tribal Health Interest Group. The group’s mission is to improve the lives of Tribal members in the U.S. by increasing access to integrated, evidence-based, value-driven, culturally informed chiropractic care and by reducing, where possible, opioid and other pain medication prescriptions. Tribes are guaranteed health care by treaty from the federal government; however, the Indian Health Service (IHS) is the last remaining healthcare agency to not utilize chiropractic care per current treatment guidelines. The new group will partner with Tribal leadership, state and national organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and more to help Tribes achieve better health care. Learn more in this blog post and consider joining if you are an ACA member.

Additionally, the ACA Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics now offers a hybrid diplomate preparation program. The program, which can be completed in 17-20 months, prepares participants for the Pediatrics Diplomate Certification Exam and offers a blended format with 250 hours of online content delivered in a self-paced format on Learn ACA, as well as two in-person hands-on practicum experiences. For more information, click here. Registration for the 2025-2026 cohort is open through May 1.

The following members have joined since Fall 2024:

Breanna Bechtold, DC

Ty Bradley, Student

Morgan Conner, Student

Nikole Demke, DC

Eric Fox, DC

Rhett Hanson, DC

Racheal Houk, DC

Benjamin Jackson, DC

Zoey Klein, DC

Sierra Marquez, DC

Tanner Mazour, DC

Tyler Miller, Student

Kealey Nelson, DC

Weston Pickhinke, DC

Jeff Redenius, DC

Victoria Robert, DC

Phyllis Russo, DC

Riley Thomsen, DC

Carlie Wenner, Student



Gabriel Woodbeck, DC

FALL 2025

August 8-10, 2025

Younes Conference Center

Kearney, Nebraska