Does medicare cover Chiropractic care and services?
Mostly no, but Medicare Part B can cover some chiropractic care in certain, very limited circumstances. The only chiropractic treatment Medicare Part B covers is manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation (a bone in your spine out of position). The treatment must be considered medically necessary, and formally prescribed, by a physician. In other words, for Medicare to cover the treatment, it can't be a chiropractor alone who decides that you need it. Also, the care must be provided by a Medicare-certified chiropractor. If Medicare Part B covers the treatment, as with most other medical bills it will pay 80 percent of the Medicare-approved amount, leaving you (or your Medigap insurance) to pay the remaining 20 percent.
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Part C Medicare Advantage managed care plan, your plan may cover slightly broader chiropractic treatment than traditional Medicare Part B does. Check with your plan directly, or ask your chiropractor's office to check, to find out if there is any broader coverage and what its terms are.
Most of the original answer to this question was correct. However, I would like to clarify three points:
1) Medicare does not require a referral for chiropractic care. Chiropractic physicians are qualified to determine your need for treatment according to Medicare. 2) Medicare does require a chiropractic examination to determine if chiropractic care is appropriate. Medicare does not cover the cost of this examination. If treatment is appropriate, Medicare pays 80% of the treatment costs. 3) Many people seek chiropractic care for conditions related to joints outside of the spinal column (knees, hips, shoulders). These conditions are not covered by Medicare. Only spinal conditions are covered.
I hope this information is helpful.
