Does Insurance Cover Chiropractic Care? This Is What You Need to Know

Updated on July 16, 2020
Chiropractic adjustment - Chriopractor working on patient's neck

Your health insurance covers trips to the doctor, hospital stays, and a list of approved medications. But did you know that you might have coverage for other benefits?

Health insurance tends to prioritize wellness and preventive care because they want to keep you healthy and ward off preventable diseases. One of the ways you can keep your body healthy is through spinal manipulation and chiropractic adjustments. But does insurance cover chiropractic care? Here’s what you need to know.

Does Insurance Cover Chiropractic Care?

Insurers prefer to see their clients seek out treatments that identify problems early or stop them from happening at all. The vast majority of insurance plans offer a list of covered preventive services, including chiropractic care.

Making chiropractic care a covered service doesn’t mean it’s free. You may still need to pay deductibles, co-pays, or additional charges. Additionally, it’s crucial to find a chiropractor who accepts your insurance policy.

Does your insurance cover chiropractic care? To find out for sure, read your policy or talk to your agent or employee benefits coordinator.

Does Medicare or Medicaid Cover Chiropractic Care?

While most private or employer health insurance offers some type of benefit, you don’t need a private healthcare plan to get access to these services.

Medicare and some Medicaid plans also offer access to chiropractic care. You can also get it if you’re a member of the armed forces or if you’re on a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan as a federal employee.

Just as with private insurance, you may still need to make a co-pay or pay a deductible. Additionally, not all services will be covered. Spinal manipulations, like those offered by Mauricio Chiropractic, are typically referred when it’s necessary, such as when you have a condition called spinal subluxation.

If you are on Medicare and want regular access to a chiropractor, you may need to shop around for a Medicare Advantage plan that offers more comprehensive chiropractic care.

However, it’s worth checking in on Medicare updates. In 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a bill to open up access to more chiropractic services under Medicare. The House hasn’t yet voted on the bill, but it demonstrates the growing recognition of the benefits of chiropractic care.

Many Forms of Insurance Cover Chiropractic Care

Does insurance cover chiropractic care?

If you want to avail of the benefits of chiropractic care, we have good news. Most forms of insurance – both public and private – cover at least some chiropractic services. You may need a referral from a doctor, and there may still be a deductible or co-pay. However, there is increasing recognition of the benefits of chiropractic services, so you do get some help paying those bills.

Do you know what your health insurance policy does and doesn’t offer? Make the most of your premiums by learning more about your benefits – and then using them. You’ll get more value from your policy and get access to the services you need to stay healthy as you age.

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