Does Medicare cover a chiropractor visit?

Will Medicare cover a chiropractor visit?

Aches and pains are an expected part of aging. Seniors commonly experience pain in their legs and back. Part of this is due to natural degeneration.

There are different ways back and spine pain can be treated, including through chiropractic care. This article explains how a chiropractor’s services can help treat common medical conditions and explains what procedures are covered under Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.

Curious what Medicare Advantage benefits are available in your area? Give us a call or compare plans near you using our free quoting tool.

How can chiropractic care help seniors with back pain?

A common reason why elderly people go to a chiropractor is due to back, muscle, or bone pain. Some people go to a chiropractor for a single issue that can be resolved in one session, and others continue to see a chiropractor for ongoing problems.

Some ways that a chiropractor can help include:

• Providing pain relief by addressing subluxations in the spine that cause pain and inflammation without the use of pain medications.
• Assisting chronic conditions like COPD. Studies showed that seniors who had some type of chiropractic treatment over four weeks were less likely to have an adverse event.
• Reducing risk for falls by helping to lessen subluxations in the spine and to teach seniors about the benefits of exercise and stretching.
• Improving quality of life by helping with increased range of motion in extremities and reducing joint stiffness.

There are risks to consider such as soreness and risks of bone damage, injury, or stroke. This is why it is important to have a doctor sign off on chiropractic treatment before having it.

What conditions can be treated by a chiropractor?

Chiropractors often treat patients who have:

• Muscle tension
• Back pain
• Migraine and tension headaches
• Weak immune systems
• Neck pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Other conditions involving muscles, joints, and ligaments

If you have questions about what is or isn’t covered by your Medicare plan, including chiropractor visits, give us a call at (800) 950-0608 to speak with a licensed agent.

What chiropractor services does Medicare cover?

Medicare Part B will cover some chiropractic services as an effort to reduce opioid prescription dependency for chronic back pain. However, the visits to the chiropractor must be medically necessary in order to be covered by Original Medicare. In order to be medically necessary, the visits must be ordered by a doctor, and they must be for the purposes of treating a medical condition. There are no limits to the number of visits as long as they are medically necessary.

Part B will cover treatment like spine adjustment, but may not cover the cost of any diagnostic testing that the chiropractor might order, such as x-rays, massage therapy, or acupuncture. For seniors and other qualifying individuals who have Medigap and Original Medicare, Medigap plans G and C will cover the Part B deductible and the 20% coinsurance cost.

Medicare Advantage plans, which must cover the same services as Medicare Part B, also offer some chiropractic care coverage in addition to other potential benefits. If chiropractic care is a top priority, make sure to look at each plan carefully to determine if the benefits and fee structure are the right fit.

The total cost seniors pay for chiropractic services will depend on several factors such as:

• Whether the chiropractor accepts Medicare assignments and reimbursement in full for services rendered
• The amount that the chiropractor charges
• What type of facility they work in

The chiropractor’s practice can provide an out-of-pocket estimate before starting services.

What other services are covered by Medicare?

Medicare is complex, and searching for Medicare coverage that best meets your needs in the area you live isn’t always easy. If chiropractic care is a top priority, and you need help finding the Medicare plan that covers your needs, reach out to us via email, or call us at (800) 950-0608 today to learn how we can help.