What it potentially means is that patients are not allowed to be originally diagnosed by a pain clinic or outside "medical professional". I do believe in SPIN's model, but I also believe that many pain clinics, especially in Florida, are rife with fraudulant claims and/or billing. This is mainly due to the PIP insurance system. From the website:
After the attorney is contacted, investigates and confirms the viability of the case, patient will usually put into a Physical Therapy program with a Chiropractor or Physical Therapist for four to five months (blue arrow). If at the end of this period the patient still has recurring problems he will then have an MRI done. If the diagnosis at that time proves up continuing spine problems; it is at this point the Spine Surgeon will be introduced to the case
If chiropractors and PT's are replaced by emergency room doctors in making the initial diagnosis, there is less potential to string the case out based on a chiropractors recommendation (to take advantage of the PIP system). Therefore, many of the fraudulant cases (which are plentiful in SPIN's market areas and no doubt pad their revenue streams) would be nipped in the bud by the emergency room physicians and the case would never make it to SPIN.
Other parts of the discussion in Florida also aim to break up the lucrative relationships between doctors and lawyers (which would potentially effect SPIN, although I did not see any language regarding these relationships in this particular bill, and have my doubts about how such a law would be effectively enforced.)
I am just trying to poke holes in my own thesis, not bash the stock here. Let me know what you think...
