Chiropractic Insurance: Will My Health Insurance Cover It?

In 2016, Americans spent more than $14 billion on health services like chiropractic care. It’s clear Americans believe these health services can and do help.

You might be wondering if there’s any way to reduce the amount you pay out of pocket for these services. You might be asking, “Does insurance cover chiropractors?”

Good chiropractic insurance can be hard to come by, but it does exist. Here’s how you can find out if your health insurance will cover it.

Who Has Chiropractic Insurance?

Many people know the good a chiropractor can do. Others like you might be wondering about this kind of treatment. Before you go, you need to know how much you’ll pay out of pocket.

Is chiropractic care covered by insurance? It’s one of the most common questions people ask when they seek treatment. The answer is usually “yes.”

Chiropractic insurance coverage has become more common in the last 20 years or so. Evidence supporting the benefits of chiropractic treatment has changed many minds. Chiropractic care is now included in almost every traditional insurance policy.

Most American workers are covered under their employer-sponsored healthcare plans. If you’re receiving workers’ compensation, you should also have coverage. Veterans and federal employees also have coverage.

How Much is Covered?

Another common question people have is, “Does Medicaid cover chiropractors?” Again, the answer is yes. Medicare and Medicaid both have provisions for chiropractic care.

Like other health insurance plans, both Medicare and Medicaid only cover so much. Under Medicaid, you have coverage for medically necessary subluxation of the spine. No other service, such as X-rays or massage therapy, is part of this chiropractic insurance.

Other health insurance plans may have similar rules. Another limitation is how often you can see a practitioner, or how much you can spend on treatment. Medicare, for example, will only pay part of the Medicare-approved amount.

There may also be a deductible, which you’re responsible for paying. Other health insurance plans may work in a similar way. Some plans might cover a certain dollar amount per year.

What Will You Pay?

The average cost of a visit to a chiropractor is around $65 per visit. If your chiropractor is covered by insurance such as Medicare, you will still need to pay part of the price.

You’ll pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved price. You’ll also need to pay your deductible. Keep in mind your doctor might charge more than the approved price.

Under other health insurance plans, you may pay more or less. Some plans have high deductibles. Other may cover the entire cost of the visit.

Check Your Coverage Before Booking

Before you book your next appointment, check your chiropractic insurance coverage. You can do so by talking to your insurance provider or reading your policy documents.

If you don’t have coverage, it might be time to buy a policy for yourself.

Once you know your coverage, talk to your doctor. Knowing your coverage could help you get the treatment you need.

Knowing your coverage can help you book your next chiropractic appointment with confidence.