What Does Medicare Pay for Chiropractic Care?
A huge part of ageing and entering the senior years is the increasing need for chiropractic care. While not everybody will likely need any major spine alignment procedures, there are certain chiropractic procedures that will help senior citizens enhance flexibility, balance, coordination, and mobility. These procedures are also often necessary when a person starts to feel some discomfort and pain. Thus, the question of whether Medicare includes chiropractic care to its coverage is often asked.
Why Is Chiropractic Care Needed for Older Adults?
It is a fact of nature that bones do start to exhibit signs of wear as we get older and this amount can vary from person to person. Those who already are feeling the strain on their bones and joints are more likely to see the problem escalate to bigger mobility and posture issues, which when experienced with intense pain can indicate a pinched nerve. While this part of ageing is expected, it shouldn’t be a hindrance to enjoying one’s golden years. This is where chiropractic care steps in.
The common misconception is that chiropractic care is physically stressful because the manipulation techniques could place the elderly’s frail bones at risk. However, as chiropractors are also medical practitioners, it should be known that there are varying degrees of manipulation, depending on the patient’s needs and condition. This can be in the form of gentle massages and mobilization techniques, as well acupuncture or dry needling. All that said, chiropractic care is an essential part of the ageing process — so everyone can transition gracefully and as pain-free as possible.
What Medicare Pays for Chiropractic Care
The only chiropractic procedure that is covered under Medicare, Part B (medical insurance) specifically, is manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation, which happens when one or more bones on the spine are out of their normal position. No X-ray is needed to prove this condition. It is also covered under Part B when it is medically necessary and if it is performed by a qualified chiropractic care provider or a licensed chiropractor. This includes both inpatient and outpatient care, such as lab testing, doctor visits, equipment, necessary surgical procedures, home health care and other directly related situations.
Medicare Part B covers 80% of this type of chiropractic care while the patient takes care of a small annual deductible. You may purchase supplement insurance or Medicare Supplement plans to help pay for such expenses. Take note that X-rays are not covered unless it was specifically ordered by the doctor to determine whether a subluxation does exist. The initial exam by the chiropractor to find out is a misalignment is present is also not part this. The coverage refers only to the adjustments that need to be made.
Chiropractic Care and Medicare Advantage
A popular way to obtain additional coverage for chiropractic services is to get a Medicare Advantage plan. Note that they may cover such services, though what they include and how much of a copayment the patient must pay are not standardized. Providers of Medicare Advantage plans have the liberty to set their own packages of benefits, and pricing so it’s best to shop around and compare offerings before signing up for anything.
Medicare Advantage plans typically offer the same services as Medicare Part A and Part B, but the difference is that they are limited by their network of healthcare professionals. This means that you should seek medical consultations and assistance only from the providers on their list if you want to gain full advantage of this plan. In addition, unlike Medicare that lets patients pay a deductible and then they cover 20%, MA charges via a copay system — and, again, this can vary depending on the time of treatment and the services rendered.
Chiropractic Care and Medicare Supplements (Medigap)
Having a Medicare Supplement plan will also help in reducing the expenses or getting some of the procedures related to chiropractic care for free. For example, some Medigap plans can cover all of the Part B coinsurance and copayments, which may include chiropractic office visits for a subluxation. Medicare Supplement Plans F and G can take care of Part B excess charges, while Plans C and F can shoulder the Part B deductible. Plan will require you to shoulder a copay of $20 for doctor visits, while Plans K and L will have you making 50% and 75% in out-of-pocket costs, respectively.
To further understand how a Medicare Supplement figures into your specific needs for chiropractic care, it is best to talk with a qualified SecureCare65 advisor so you can see all the choices available for your situation and budget. You can give us a call at 1-800-354-1078 so our team can answer your questions immediately.
