AK Regulatory Compliance & Standards 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under ICAK standards, continuing education credits to maintain AK certification must be obtained from:
- Any accredited university course
- ICAK-approved postgraduate programs only (Correct answer)
- Online CEU providers approved by the AMA
- State licensing board CEU programs only
Correct answer: ICAK-approved postgraduate programs only
ICAK requires that CEUs for AK recertification come from ICAK-approved postgraduate programs to ensure content meets their curriculum standards.
Question 2: When billing insurance for a visit that includes AK muscle testing, the practitioner should code the service under:
- The specific AK procedure code listed in CPT
- The licensed professional's applicable procedure codes (e.g., chiropractic manipulation) (Correct answer)
- A miscellaneous unlisted code for all AK services
- Wellness/prevention codes regardless of diagnosis
Correct answer: The licensed professional's applicable procedure codes (e.g., chiropractic manipulation)
Because AK lacks its own CPT codes, services are billed under the licensed practitioner's applicable procedure codes that best describe the service rendered.
Question 3: A patient's AK treatment records are subpoenaed in a malpractice case. The minimum retention period for adult patient records in most US states is:
- 2 years from last visit
- 5 years from last visit
- 7 years from last visit (Correct answer)
- 10 years from last visit
Correct answer: 7 years from last visit
Most US states mandate a minimum of 7 years for adult patient record retention, though practitioners should check their specific state law.
Question 4: Which statement about ICAK-USA membership and certification is accurate?
- ICAK membership automatically confers the CAK credential
- Certification requires passing both written and practical examinations (Correct answer)
- Only medical doctors may sit for the CAK examination
- The CAK credential is recognized as a state license in 12 states
Correct answer: Certification requires passing both written and practical examinations
The CAK designation requires successful completion of both a written knowledge examination and a practical skills examination, separate from membership.
Question 5: An AK practitioner recommends a patient stop prescribed medication based solely on a manual muscle test. This action most likely violates:
- ICAK continuing education requirements
- Scope of practice laws and medical practice acts (Correct answer)
- HIPAA minimum necessary standard
- FDA labeling regulations for supplements
Correct answer: Scope of practice laws and medical practice acts
Advising discontinuation of prescription medication without prescriptive authority constitutes practicing medicine outside one's licensed scope.
Question 6: The principle of 'minimum necessary' under HIPAA requires AK practitioners to:
- Document every muscle test performed during a session
- Share only the health information needed for the specific purpose (Correct answer)
- Obtain consent before every session regardless of frequency
- Report all positive muscle test findings to state health departments
Correct answer: Share only the health information needed for the specific purpose
The minimum necessary standard limits disclosure of protected health information to only what is required to accomplish the intended purpose.
Question 7: Which scenario represents a reportable ethical violation under ICAK's Standards of Practice?
- Using proprietary AK worksheets during patient visits
- Claiming AK has been proven to cure autoimmune diseases in marketing materials (Correct answer)
- Charging a fee for a 60-minute AK evaluation
- Referring a patient to a specialist outside the AK field
Correct answer: Claiming AK has been proven to cure autoimmune diseases in marketing materials
Making unsupported curative claims violates ICAK's ethical standards on truthful representation and could also trigger FTC enforcement.
AK Regulatory Compliance & Standards 3
Under ICAK standards, continuing education credits to maintain AK certification must be obtained from: