Do you suffer from back pain, migraines, or other neuromuscular issues? If so, you might want to visit a chiropractor for relief. However, one of the most common questions patients ask is, “Does insurance cover chiropractic care?” 

Some even wonder what chiropractic care is, as many think it’s an alternative form of medicine (and they’re right!).

Chiropractic care focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions related to the neuromusculoskeletal system. Using manual techniques, chiropractors can facilitate the body’s natural healing process, enhance recovery in soft tissues, and relieve pain.

Regarding insurance, however, the answer is, unfortunately, not straightforward. Rather, it depends on various factors. Those could include your insurance type, the treatment you need, and the insurance company’s guidelines.

However, we’ve got some answers for you in this quick guide that’ll help you gauge how much you might expect to pay out of pocket and what you can do to maximize your insurance benefits.

What Is Chiropractic Care?

While the brief explanation above helps provide some context for what we do as chiropractors, let’s take a deeper look at what’s involved in this type of care.

The idea behind chiropractic care is that proper alignment of the body’s musculoskeletal structure can allow the body to heal naturally on its own. That is to say, chiropractic care can help heal certain conditions without surgery or medication.

Most often, chiropractic care treats pain in the back, neck, head, and joints. But here are some common reasons people may seek chiropractic care:

  • Lower back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Headaches
  • Whiplash injuries
  • Sports injuries
  • Disc Conditions
  • Pinched Nerve
  • Neuropathy
  • Pregnancy-related pain
  • Arthritis

Chiropractors also believe spinal adjustments can improve the body’s overall function and prevent future injuries. So, in addition to adjustments, chiropractic care may also include the following:

  • Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
  • Neuropathy Treatment
  • Therapeutic exercises
  • Pro-Adjuster Technology
  • LED Light Therapy
  • Extension Equipment
  • Vibration Plate
  • Laser Therapy
  • Hydro Massage Therapy
  • Lifestyle advice

They will use their hands or small instruments to apply controlled force to the affected areas of the body. This technique is a spinal adjustment.

It’s important to note that chiropractic care is not a replacement for traditional medical care but rather a complementary service. If you’re in doubt about whether the treatment is right for you or not, speak with your primary care doctor first.

Types of Chiropractic Treatments

Great, but does medical insurance cover chiropractic care? First, it’s important to understand the costs. Without an understanding of the costs, it isn’t easy to know what you can expect to pay for.

The cost of chiropractic care depends mainly on your treatment type and whether or not your insurance plan covers it. Here are a few of the most common types of chiropractic treatments.

Spinal Adjustments

Spinal adjustment is the most commonly used chiropractic technique. During a spinal adjustment, a chiropractor uses their hands or a small instrument to apply a controlled force to a joint in the spine. The goal is to realign the vertebrae, alleviate pain, and improve function.

Pro-Adjuster Technology

The Pro-Adjuster is a device designed with advanced technology that automatically detects the amount of adjustment needed in your spine. It uses a Piezoelectric sensor to measure how much each vertebra or joint is moving in real-time.

Pro-Adjuster utilizes a gentle precise force (“tap”) with uninterrupted motion to align vertebrae. It is able to increase the mobility of the spinal segments by reducing or enabling motion in the “abnormal” areas.

The Pro-Adjuster uses computerized biofeedback and extremely precise, small-scale adjustments that convey just enough force to the body to alter the joint alignment. This clinically proven system delivers chiropractic adjustments through a handheld instrument.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

Many patients have avoided expensive and risky back surgery by completing spinal decompression treatments.

Reviews of recent popular medical literature revealed that Spinal Decompression Therapy has been effective in many patients finding long-term relief and effective management of their pain upon completion of the entire program of treatments.

What is the Success Rate of Spinal Decompression?  Most research has shown spinal decompression to be successful in 71% to 89% of patients.  More than 10 different research studies have been conducted with all of them showing good results for patients treated with spinal decompression.  Some of the benefits would include: Increase of blood flow and nutrient supply into the disc.  Reduces compression and pinching of nerves.  Eases disc rehydration and prevents the advancment of the herniation.

Hydro Massage Therapy

Chiropractors often use massage therapy to complement spinal adjustments. Hydro Massage can help to relax tense muscles, improve blood flow, and reduce pain. While similar to regular, relaxing massages you might get at a massage studio, with Hydro Massage, you just sit back and relax. 

Therapeutic Ultrasound

This type of treatment uses sound waves to penetrate deep into the body’s tissues. The benefits? Therapeutic ultrasound can help reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and speed healing.

Vibration Plate

One of the most popular vibration plate benefits is its ability to aid weight loss. As little as 10 minutes a day on a vibration plate can help you achieve your weight loss goals.  As using a vibration plate turns up the intensity of your normal workout, it boosts your metabolism so you’ll burn fat at a higher rate.

Besides losing weight, gym-goers can enjoy other benefits of vibration plate, including better circulation, stronger bones, improved muscle recovery, and so on. These machines also allow you to switch between programs, targeting specific muscle groups and changing your goals.

Electrical Stimulation

Electrical stimulation uses a low-level electrical current to stimulate the body’s muscles and nerves. A chiropractor often uses this technique to reduce pain and improve muscle function.

Rehabilitation Exercises

Chiropractors often prescribe rehabilitation exercises to help patients improve their strength, flexibility, and range of motion. These exercises can be done at home or with the help of a physical therapist. Most insurance plans that cover chiropractors include this type of rehabilitation.

The Cost of Chiropractic Care

So, what are the average costs for some common chiropractic treatments? Again, it varies, and the best way to get an idea of the total cost is to contact us for a screening and a quote.  But let’s take a look.

Initial Consultation

This is typically where your chiropractor will take a detailed medical history and perform a physical exam to determine the root cause of your pain. On average, an initial consultation can cost anywhere from $97 to $200, depending on your location and the experience of your chiropractor.

Treatment Costs

Then, you have the cost of the treatments themselves. As mentioned, different treatments require different specialties. Some are more advanced or even longer than others.

For a typical spinal adjustment, the cost can range from $75 to $200 per session. Of course, the cost may be influenced by factors like the length of the treatment or the specific type of adjustment or additional modalities being used.

Additional Services

Other services that chiropractors may offer can include massage therapy, laser treatments, or nutritional counseling. These services can also vary in cost, but the general range is typically between $50 and $200 per session.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Factors influencing the cost of chiropractic care include your chiropractor’s experience and location. Experienced chiropractors in bigger cities will likely charge more than an inexperienced practitioner in a small town.

Additionally, some chiropractors will also use more advanced technology or techniques that can influence the cost of treatment.

Ultimately, the cost of chiropractic care will depend on your unique needs and the treatment plan recommended by your chiropractor. If you’re concerned about the cost, it’s always a good idea to speak with your insurance provider to find out what kind of coverage you have or if there may be any copayments to consider.

Does Insurance Cover Chiropractic Care?

Now, to answer the main question: Does insurance cover chiropractic care? Let’s examine how insurance coverage for chiropractic care works and how you can ensure you receive the care you need.

Understanding Insurance Coverage for Chiropractic Care

The good news is that many health insurance plans offer chiropractic care coverage. This can include treatments such as:

  • Adjustments
  • Therapeutic exercises
  • Other forms of manual therapy

However, the amount of coverage can vary depending on your specific plan. This means that you may be responsible for a copayment or deductible or may be limited in the number of visits you can receive per year.

Ultimately, it’s important to understand what your plan covers and what your out-of-pocket expenses will be before you begin treatment.

Tips for Maximizing Insurance Coverage for Chiropractic Care

If you’re concerned about the cost of chiropractic care, there are steps that you can take to ensure that you can receive the care that you need within your insurance plan. Some tips include:

  • Check with your insurance company to see what your plan covers and what your out-of-pocket expenses will be.
  • Consider using a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for chiropractic care, as these funds can be used for many forms of alternative medicine.
  • Talk to your chiropractor about payment plans or other options that may be available to make care more affordable.

The bottom line is that insurance coverage for chiropractic care can vary depending on your specific plan and the chiropractor you are seeing. It’s important to do your research ahead of time and understand what your plan covers and what your out-of-pocket costs will be.

Alternative Ways of Paying for Chiropractic Care

What if your insurance doesn’t cover chiropractic care? You may have other options to get the necessary treatment without breaking the bank. Here are a few alternative ways to pay for chiropractic care.

Ask About Financing Plans

Many chiropractic clinics offer financing plans to make their services more affordable for patients. These plans allow you to spread out the cost of your treatment over several months, making it easier to fit into your budget.

Some clinics may even offer interest-free financing. This means you won’t have to pay anything extra if you make your payments on time. For example, we offer payments through CareCredit.

Ultimately, asking your chiropractor about financing options is helpful if you think you need them.

Look for Insurance Plans That Cover Chiropractors

If your current insurance plan doesn’t cover chiropractic care, consider switching to one that does. Some insurance plans may cover a certain number of visits to a chiropractor each year, while others may cover the full cost of treatment.

However, remember to check the coverage details carefully. Ensure you’re getting the best deal possible.

Find Budget-Friendly Chiropractors

Most chiropractors will work with patients to develop an affordable treatment plan.  

We have one word of warning regarding Chiropractors. Choose a reputable provider with the necessary credentials and experience to provide quality care. The cheapest provider isn’t always the best.

Get Chiropractic Care in Florida

Does insurance cover chiropractic care in Florida? At Waterside Chiropractic, we accept auto accident, workers’ compensation, and personal injury insurance plans.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Or, get in touch with questions about our services, experience, and the cost of our treatments. You can reach us via the link above or call us at (850) 338-7428. 

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