DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 552 Original 2015 Regular Session Thierry
Abstract: Provides relative to the scope of practice of chiropractic and institutes the term
"chiropractic physician" in lieu of "chiropractor" in law.
Present law relative to the practice of chiropractic utilizes the term "chiropractor". Proposed law
revises present law to institute the term "chiropractic physician" in lieu of "chiropractor".
Present law provides that the practice of chiropractic, in part, entails the following:
(1)Being engaged in the diagnosing of conditions associated with the functional integrity of the
spine.
(2)Making recommendations relative to personal hygiene and proper nutritional practices for
the rehabilitation of the patient.
(3)Ordering such diagnostic tests as are necessary for determining conditions associated with
the functional integrity of the spine.
Proposed law deletes present law and provides in lieu thereof that the practice of chiropractic entails
the following:
(1)Examining, evaluating, and diagnosing of patients of all ages for the purpose of determining
the presence or absence of neuromuscular or musculoskeletal injuries, conditions, or
disorders which interfere with biomechanical or neurological function.
(2)Counseling and instructing patients regarding health, wellness, diet, and nutrition.
(3)Ordering such diagnostic tests as are necessary for determining the patient's condition.
(4)Ordering, performing, and utilizing x-ray procedures for the sole purpose of diagnosis.
Proposed law deletes present law providing for the following:
(1)That the authority for a chiropractor to order diagnostic tests shall not be construed as any
of the following:
(a)Mandating coverage for such tests ordered by a chiropractor under any health care plan or policy of insurance.
(b)Requiring insurance coverage under any such plan or policy.
(c)Circumventing any requirement or preauthorization for covered services by a primary
care physician or precertification by an insurer or administrator of a plan or policy in
accordance with the terms of a health care plan or policy.
(2)That a chiropractor shall not order diagnostic tests or solicit an insurer or health care plan
provider for coverage arrangements for such tests for the primary purpose of financial gain.
Proposed law deletes present law providing for the following restrictions concerning use of x-ray
procedures:
(1)A chiropractor may utilize x-ray procedures for the sole purpose of chiropractic analysis.
(2)A chiropractor shall administer x-ray procedures with efficient exposure techniques and
optimal operation of radiation equipment in order to minimize the amount of and repetition
of x-ray exposure to which a patient is subjected during such analysis.
(3)A chiropractor shall not include administer radio-therapy, fluoroscopy, or any other form of
ionizing radiation, except x-ray, which may be used only for the purpose of chiropractic
analysis.
Proposed law requires the La. State Law Institute to change the designation of a professional licensed
to practice chiropractic from "chiropractor" to "chiropractic physician" throughout present law in
order to reflect the change in terminology provided in proposed law.
(Amends the heading of Ch. 36 of Title 37, R.S. 37:2801, 2802(A)(1) and (B), 2804(B),
2805(B)(1)(intro. para.), 2806, 2808(intro. para.), 2812-2814, 2816(A)(intro. para.) and (15), (E),
and (F)(1), 2817, 2818(C), 2824, and 2830(A); Adds R.S. 37:2818(D))