Boise chiropractor hopes to change health insurance [The Idaho Statesman, Boise]

July 04--Benjamin Humphrey and his wife, Meaghan Humphrey, opened WI (Walk In) Care Chiropractic and Health Store this year, targeting patients who don't need them to file claims with traditional health insurance.

"I struggle to see the necessity of the added costs of health insurance's involvement in what should be relatively low-cost procedures such as chiropractic," he says. "So we designed our business with the goal of keeping costs to the patient low and encouraging the use of [health savings accounts] instead of traditional insurance."

The business also sells vitamins, supplements and exercise aids, like exercise bands, for up to $45 each.

They sell "only items with 'grade A' evidence, meaning multiple scientific studies have shown the substances to be effective for their given purposes," he says.

Humphrey's background had a strong influence on his practice. In his former job, he was responsible for adjusting health care claims as a health insurance analyst.

Q: What led you to open this business?

A: Upon graduating from Vanderbilt University, I was like most college graduates -- not entirely sure what to do. I took a job working for AIM Healthcare out of Franklin, Tenn., and started learning the finer workings of the billion-dollar industry involving health insurance.

Then, after personally witnessing the benefits of chiropractic care in my wife, mother-in-law and my father, I decided to pursue chiropractic as a career.

I [then attended] University of Western States in Portland, Ore.

I also saw a need for the world of nutritional supplements to have more professional guidance, so that people can seek health before they require more drastic measures and [so they] feel confident that they aren't wasting their money on a new fad.

Q: How did you start the practice?

A: I hired an amazing business manager who was willing to work for free -- my wife -- and together we went through the many steps of opening a new business, from picking a location to building a reception desk.

Q: What is a philosophy that guides your business?

A: I would love to see health insurance transform more to the HSA/high-deductible insurance model, because it is incredibly cost-effective for the average, reasonably healthy American. The best way to encourage that transformation is to start being the provider who is HSA-friendly.

Q: What have you done to attract a customer base?

A: We have pursued direct mailing and community involvement as the primary ways to get ourselves out there.

Audrey Dutton: 377-6448

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