How to get insurance to cover chiropractic

Does my insurance cover chiropractic care?

As stated above, seeking chiropractic care is fairly common. Fortunately, most insurance companies cover chiropractic care but do require a co-payment.

Chiropractic care is included in most health insurance plans, including major medical plans such as workers’ compensation, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare. It is often also made available to all active-duty members of the armed forces, eligible veterans, and federal employees.

It is important to note that though these companies cover chiropractic care, their coverage may be limited and come with certain restrictions including:

• A referral from your primary care physician stating that care is medically necessary
• A cap on how many times you can receive treatment within a month or year
• They may make you use in-network or approved chiropractors
• They may require your doctor to create an active care plan and follow it

Most insurance plans will only cover your short-term care during recovery and will not pay for maintenance visits or long-term care plans.

Due to the unique nature of health insurance and state mandates, we always recommend patients check with their insurance company and specific health plans as each will have different requirements, limits to care, and levels of coverage.

Deductibles

Some policies require that you meet your deductible, or a minimum dollar amount before your benefits will kick in. If your insurance does cover chiropractic treatment and you’ve met their specific requirements, you can expect to pay a portion of the cost of treatment, assuming you’ve met your deductible. If you haven’t met your deductible, you will have to pay the full price until you’ve met the minimum dollar amount for your policy.

Deductibles often reset on January 1st, so if you have met your deductible and are still needing treatment, now is the time to receive care to avoid having to begin paying toward your deductible again after the new year.

Why doesn’t health insurance cover maintenance care?

Coverage is often provided when care is part of an active treatment plan, meaning you are receiving care to treat a specific injury and that the treatment is currently improving your condition and symptoms. When significant treatment can no longer be expected from the care, treatment then becomes supportive rather than corrective, becoming maintenance care. Since most insurance companies only cover care for medically necessary treatments, maintenance care is not considered covered and therefore not payable.

What can I do if my health insurance doesn’t cover my care?

If your insurance doesn’t cover your health plan involving chiropractic care, talk to your doctor to see if they can help. They may be able to reach out to your insurance company on your behalf and explain their referral. You can also reach out to the company yourself and explain your story to them. If they do not cover your care, you may have to pay out of pocket for chiropractic care. Remember to discuss payment plans or other discounts you may be eligible for at our office during your consultation. Another option for those whose insurance doesn’t fully cover chiropractic care is supplemental coverage which can be used in addition to the healthcare you currently have.

Our team is always looking for new ways to help our patients receive quality and affordable chiropractic care. Whether you need an exam for an injury, rehabilitation services, or treatment for a chronic condition, we are here for you and happy to schedule an appointment to get the care you need. For more information on our services and how we can help you, please contact Tuck Chiropractic.

Your health insurance company may cover chiropractors under "alternative treatment." Some companies, such as AARP, Aetna, Cigna and others, cover chiropractic care. There will likely be restrictions regarding your coverage such as caps on how many visits you can have or your doctor may have to recommend you to a chiropractor before your costs are covered. You will most likely need to meet your policy deductible before your insurance kicks in as well. Keep in mind your health insurance doesn't usually pay for maintenance chiropractic care due to it being supportive rather than corrective in nature. If your provider doesn't provide chiropractic coverage, you can pay out-of-pocket, contact your insurance company and explain your situation, have your doctor call your insurance company or buy supplemental health insurance. Keep reading to find out more about how health insurance can help pay for chiropractic sessions.

How Does Medical Insurance Cover Chiropractic Treatment?

Chiropractic treatment is considered an "alternative treatment" under most insurance policies. Alternative treatments are usually holistic in nature and don't involve formal medications. This includes not only chiropractic, but acupuncture, massage therapy and other services.

Due to the increasing interest in chiropractic care, health insurance companies have begun to offer coverage for these costs. Keep in mind that there are usually restrictions dictating when your health insurance comes into play. For instance, your doctor may have to refer you to a chiropractor in order for your insurance to cover the cost treatment. You may also have to meet your policy's deductible before there is coverage. And remember, there will most certainly be a copay.

Are There Insurance Restrictions for Chiropractic Treatments

There are several common restrictions related to chiropractic treatment and insurance. For instance, some plans require a doctor or specialist to make a recommendation for a chiropractic adjustment before the insurance will pay for treatment. Your health insurance provider may also require you to have your doctor develop a care plan that can be followed. It is also not uncommon for insurance companies to set caps on how many chiropractic visits you can have in a month or year. This means you can only see your chiropractor a set number of times before your insurance stops covering the costs of treatment. This also means health insurance companies will most likely not cover long-term chiropractic care or maintenance visits as they are supportive as opposed to corrective. Keep in mind that your health insurance may also have restrictions on which chiropractors you can use. Your insurance company may have a list of approved or in-network practitioners you can visit.

It is also possible for your health insurance provider to dictate the type of chiropractic treatment it will cover. Your insurance will likely cover a simple, manual adjustment. However, extra treatments may not be covered. These include:

• Computerized adjustments

• Diathermy

• Electrical muscular stimulation

• Electromyography

• Hydrotherapy

• Laser treatment

• Radiography

• Thermography

• Ultrasound therapy

Why Doesn't Health Insurance Pay for Maintenance Chiropractic Care?

Treatment that is supportive rather than corrective is not covered by health insurance and is designed to cover medical costs for treatment that is considered necessary. This might be a type of surgery or scan or medication your doctor feels is needed in order to treat a specific ailment. When significant change or treatment is no longer expected from a chiropractor, your care becomes maintenance and is not covered.

Due to the increasing interest in chiropractic care, health insurance companies have begun to offer coverage for these costs.

What Happens if My Provider Doesn't Cover Chiropractic Care?

You will likely have to pay for your treatment out-of-pocket if your insurance won't cover chiropractic care. This could be anywhere between $27 and $300 depending on the chiropractor's fees. However, you can reach out to your insurance company directly, explain your situation. They may be able to help you. Another option is having your doctor contact your insurance company. While this may not guarantee coverage, it is possible your insurance company will be willing to work with your situation. Another option is to find supplemental health coverage that covers chiropractors. Supplemental health coverage is additional insurance that helps pay for cost gaps in your health policy.

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Which Health Providers Cover Chiropractic Care?

There are several health insurance providers that cover chiropractic. Below is a list of some of these companies:

Your doctor may have to refer you to a chiropractor in order for your insurance to cover the cost of treatment.

How Can I Find Out if My Insurance Covers Chiropractic Treatments?

You can find out if your health insurance covers chiropractics by logging in to your online health insurance portal where you'll see a list of benefits and treatment coverage. Another option is to reach out to your insurance company directly and ask. They can provide you with any coverage information you need. It is also possible that your medical ID card has a shortlist of what is covered printed on the backside.

If your insurance does cover chiropractic treatments, you will most likely still be required to pay a deductible before your insurance kicks in. And don't forget you will likely need to pay a copay during each visit.

Some health insurance policies will cover basic chiropractic adjustments while others may cover additional treatment, such as adjustments, radiography, ultrasound treatment, and so on.

The cost of chiropractic sessions depends on the chiropractor, your insurance coverage and the treatments you need. The cost can range between $27 and $300.

Whether or not you're covered for chiropractic care with state insurance depends on whether the chiropractor accepts that insurance, what coverage you have and possibly where you live. Medicare will cover basic, manual chiropractic adjustments through Medicare Part B, while only certain states allow Medicaid to cover chiropractors.

Lessen the Pain With the Right Coverage

Your health insurance company may cover the cost of chiropractic treatment. It's traditionally labeled as "alternative treatment," and usually comes with restrictions. These include needing a referral from your doctor in order for your treatment to be covered and a cap on the number of visits. Keep in mind that health insurance is meant to fix a health problem. Because of this, long-term chiropractic maintenance is usually not covered by your insurance. You may need to pay out-of-pocket or ask your doctor to speak to your insurance company directly if your policy won't cover treatment. If you don't know whether your health insurance covers chiropractic treatment or not, call your provider or go online and see what your plan benefits. For those who need better coverage that pays for chiropractic, enter your zip code below and fill out a quick questionnaire to receive a free list of the lowest rates for health insurance in your area.