Medicare Coverage for Chiropractic Care
Medicare coverage includes chiropractic care only when a chiropractor performs a manual manipulation or spinal adjustment to correct a subluxation. However, Parts A and B exclude additional services that a chiropractor orders, even when those services relate to your Medicare benefits.
Examples include:
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X-rays
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Massage therapy
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Acupuncture
Some Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) may include extra chiropractic benefits, expanding the scope of your Medicare coverage.
What Is a Subluxation?
Before diving into coverage, let’s define subluxation. A subluxation occurs when vertebrae move out of position. Symptoms may include pain, headaches, or stiffness. Chiropractors treat this condition by manually realigning the vertebrae to relieve symptoms.
Number of Chiropractic Visits Medicare Covers
Medicare covers chiropractic visits when a chiropractor provides medically necessary spinal manipulation. These visits help diagnose or treat an illness, injury, disease, or symptoms. If the treatment qualifies as medically necessary, Medicare covers it, demonstrating the breadth of Medicare coverage.
Simply put, Medicare covers chiropractic visits as long as they meet the medical necessity requirement.
Cost of a Chiropractic Visit with Medicare
Under Original Medicare, you pay 20% coinsurance for chiropractic care. Medicare Part B pays the remaining 80% of the approved amount. You must also pay your Part B deductible unless you have already met it for the year.
A Medicare Supplement Plan may cover your share of the costs. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, your costs may vary depending on the plan, which is an integral part of understanding Medicare coverage.
Need More Information?
As Independent Insurance Brokers, we specialize in Medicare Insurance. Most major insurance carriers have appointed us. Our team can help you find the best policy for your needs. Clients in Winchester, VA, Strasburg, VA, Martinsburg, WV, and Charles Town, WV trust our services, especially when exploring Medicare coverage options.
Contact us today at (540) 662-4432 to schedule a FREE consultation with one of our Insurance Agents. You can also visit medicaretrustedagents.com for more information about Medicare coverage.
