Do you suffer from back pain? You’re not alone! According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 40% of adults have reported suffering back pain in the last three months, and adults ages 65 and over are most likely to have back pain.
Fortunately, Medicare Part B can cover chiropractors to treat back pain. Let’s talk about Medicare coverage and cost of chiropractic services.
What Chiropractic Services Can Medicare Cover?
Medicare Part B can cover the manual adjustment of the spine by a chiropractor or other qualified provider. Specifically, Medicare covers correcting vertebral subluxation. A “subluxation " describes a spinal vertebra that is out of alignment. Chiropractors find a subluxation to determine where to manipulate the spine.
Under Original Medicare, you pay 20% of the chiropractic Medicare-approved amount and the Part B deductible.
Medicare Chiropractor Coverage FAQs
How many chiropractic visits will Medicare cover?
Medicare covers as many chiropractic visits as your physician deems medically necessary.
How do I find chiropractors?
Search Medicare.gov to find and compare chiropractors near you.
What chiropractic services does Medicare NOT cover?
Medicare does not pay for certain services or tests that a chiropractor may order, including:
X-rays
Massage therapy
Acupuncture (unless it treats chronic lower back pain)
Maintenance therapy once your primary doctor no longer considers adjustments medically necessary
How else can I treat lower back pain?
Medicare covers acupuncture to treat chronic lower back pain.
A Medigap Plan can help pay your 20% Part B coinsurance for medically necessary chiropractor services. Call Senior Healthcare Direct at 1-833-463-3262, TTY 711, to speak with a licensed agent about the right Medicare Supplement plan for you.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER: The above is meant to be strictly educational and not intended to provide medical advice or solicit the sales of an insurance product or service of any kind.
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