A chiropractor is a health care professional who performs adjustments (also referred to as manipulations) to the spine or other areas of the body. Their goal is to correct alignment of the body and ease pain. Many people visit a chiropractor to treat back pain, neck pain or even headaches. This can be a preventative service, or as result of a bad injury or accident. As chiropractor treatment methods become more and more popular, you might be wondering if your Medicare plan will cover your chiropractic care.

What Is Chiropractic Care?

The treatment system chiropractors use to align your muscles and bones is called “chiropractic care.” There are many different methods a chiropractor can use, one of which is referred to as spinal manipulation. This is when the chiropractor performs specific movements designed to bring your body back into normal alignment.

As it stands, manual manipulation of the spine is the only kind of chiropractic treatment covered by Medicare. It’s also important to note that you’ll need an official diagnosis from a licensed chiropractor for Medicare to cover your treatment.

What Parts of Medicare Cover Chiropractic Care?

Part A

Part A doesn’t cover chiropractic visits. Remember, Part A is impatient care in a hospital, including all the care you receive after being admitted. Because chiropractic care is a service that typically occurs in a doctor’s office, not a hospital, it is not covered in Medicare Part A.

Part B

Part B will cover spinal manipulation (alignment) as an approved medical treatment for spinal subluxation. Spinal subluxation is when one or more of the bones in your spine are out of position. They should be corrected because they can damage your health. And when performed by a chiropractor or other qualified provider, this procedure is covered. Your chiropractor may order X-rays, but Medicare won’t cover the costs of these.

Generally, Medicare will pay 80 percent of the Medicare-approved rate for this procedure after you’ve met your deductible. This means you are left to pay 20 percent of the amount.

Part C

Certain Medicare Advantage programs, also referred to as Part C, may cover chiropractic care. These are health plans offered by private insurers so individual plans vary. These plans serve as your primary insurance and may cover extra treatments not covered by Parts A and B.

Medicare Supplement Plans 

Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap plans, are policies you can buy in addition to Original Medicare (Parts A and B).

If you have Original Medicare and are approved for chiropractic care, you’ll still be subject to pay 20% of the cost. With a Medigap plan on the other hand, that policy would cover that expense.

Conclusion

Depending on your individual plan, cost of chiropractic treatment could be your responsibility to pay.

Be sure to shop around for the plans that are best for you! If you need help, contact 100 Insure. We match people with the right plan for their needs.