When you’re in pain, the last thing you want to worry about is insurance paperwork, benefits, and bills. Many people even put off getting the care they need simply because they’re unsure what their insurance will cover. This straightforward guide cuts through all the confusion and breaks down everything you need to know about insurance coverage for chiropractic care so you can focus on feeling better, not on paperwork.

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Table of Contents:

Is Chiropractic Care Covered by Insurance?

How to Find Out if Your Insurance Covers Chiropractic Care

Is Chiropractic Care Covered by Medicare & Medicaid?

Can You Use HSA for Chiropractic Care?

Is Chiropractic Care a Worthy Long-Term Health Investment?

Health Benefits That Make a Difference

References

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Is Chiropractic Care Covered by Insurance?

The good news? Most major insurance providers, like Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, Medicare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, offer coverage for chiropractic care.

But here’s the catch: coverage details vary depending on your specific plan. Not all visits, treatments, or services are covered the same way. Don’t worry — we’re here to break it down so you know exactly what to expect.

Here are some key factors that can affect your chiropractic coverage:

• Medical Necessity: Some plans will only cover chiropractic care if it’s considered medically necessary. This means your treatment must be for a diagnosed health condition, such as chronic back pain, an injury, or mobility issues. 
• Visit Limits: Many insurance plans limit or cap the number of covered visits per year.
• Copays, Coinsurance, and Deductibles: Even with coverage, you may still have out-of-pocket costs, that is, costs you have to pay for yourself. Some plans require a co-pay or co-insurance per visit, both typically subject to meeting your deductible. 
• Coverage for Additional Chiropractic Services: Your plan may only cover spinal adjustments but not other services like exams, x-rays, and soft tissue therapies. 

You don’t need to be an insurance expert to figure this out — you just need to know what’s in your plan. If you’re unsure, no worries! Finding out what’s covered is easier than you think. In the next section, we’ll walk you through exactly how to check your benefits step by step.

TIP: Here at Simply Southern Chiropractic Center, we accept many major insurance providers. Check out our list here to see if your health insurance is accepted!

How to Find Out if Your Insurance Covers Chiropractic Care

Checking your chiropractic benefits doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. Let’s look at three ways you can find out exactly what your benefits are.

Look at Your Insurance Plan

One of the fastest ways to check your coverage is by reviewing your insurance benefits online. Simply log into your insurance provider’s website and look for a section labeled “Benefits,” “Coverage,” “Plan Details,” “Eligibility,” or something equally similar. This is where you’ll find key information, including:

• Co-pays, co-insurances, and deductibles
• Covered services
• Visit limit
• Pre-Authorization requirements

Call Your Insurance Provider

A quick phone call to your insurance provider can give you accurate and up-to-date information about your chiropractic benefits as well as answer any questions you have. You can usually find this phone number on the back of your insurance card under “Member Services.” Before you call, grab a pen and paper or open your notes app so you can write down important details.

Here’s exactly what to ask when you call:

• “Is chiropractic care covered under my plan?”
• “Do I need a referral or pre-authorization?”
• “How many chiropractic visits are covered per year?”
• “How much will I have to pay for each visit?”
• “What is covered besides spinal manipulation (for example x-rays)?”
• “Does my plan cover maintenance chiropractic care?”

Getting these answers ahead of time will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises and budget for any out-of-pocket costs.

Ask Us For Help 

At Simply Southern Chiropractic Center, we make it easy for our patients to understand their insurance coverage. During your initial visit, our doctors will evaluate your needs and determine appropriate diagnosis codes. Then, as a courtesy, our team contacts your insurance provider to verify your chiropractic benefits—so you don’t have to spend hours on hold or navigate confusing phone menus.

We believe in providing clarity and transparency upfront. At your second appointment, we  review your costs and benefits in detail. While each patient is ultimately responsible for knowing their own insurance benefits, we’re here to help guide you through the process and answer your questions in plain language.

Our chiropractic clinic can:

• Confirm whether your plan covers chiropractic services.
• Break down any out-of-pocket costs, deductibles, co-pays, or co-insurances.
• Submit preauthorizations, if required.

At Simply Southern Chiropractic Center, we work with all major insurance providers and are always happy to help you understand your chiropractic eligibility and benefits. Give us a call, and let’s walk through your coverage together.

SSCC Greenville office: 864-791-4013

SSCC Greer office: 864-791-4015

Is Chiropractic Care Covered by Medicare & Medicaid?

Medicare Coverage

Good news! Medicare Part B covers spinal adjustments if they’re medically necessary to correct a spinal misalignment (subluxation).

It’s important to keep in mind:

• Limited Coverage: Only adjustments are covered — not exams (although required), x-rays, or other treatments.
• Your Costs: After meeting your Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount per visit.
• No Visit Limits: Medicare covers unlimited visits, but each must be medically necessary.

Medicaid Coverage

Medicaid coverage varies from state to state, with some states covering it and others not at all. If covered by your state, there are typically limits to how many visits are covered per year. To find out your Medicaid coverage:

• Visit your state’s Medicaid website to check out details on chiropractic coverage and limits.
• Call your Medicaid provider and ask about chiropractic benefits.

Can You Use HSA for Chiropractic Care? 

Yes, you can absolutely use your Health Savings Account (HSA) for chiropractic care! Chiropractic treatments qualify as eligible medical expenses under HSA guidelines, making it easy to access this type of care while enjoying tax advantages. Here’s what you should know:

• All Standard Chiropractic Services Are Covered: Your HSA funds can pay for spinal adjustments, evaluations, and other treatments your chiropractor provides.
• Keep Your Documentation: Save those receipts and statements! In the unlikely event of an IRS audit, you’ll want records showing exactly how you used your HSA funds.
• Family Members Are Covered, Too: Your HSA can pay for chiropractic care for any qualified dependent, not just yourself.
• Combine With Insurance When Possible: Most insurance plans offer chiropractic coverage. Use your insurance first, then your HSA funds for any remaining balance to maximize your benefits.

Is Chiropractic Care a Worthy Long-Term Health Investment?

The truth is that healthcare costs can add up quickly. When you’re watching your budget, it’s important to make savvy, health-conscious decisions, especially ones that pay off in the long run. So what about chiropractic care? If your coverage is limited or you have no coverage at all, is it a good investment?

The short answer is that for many people, chiropractic care is an effective and holistic way to take care of their overall health.  

Here’s why:

• It’s Preventative: Regular chiropractic care helps keep your spine aligned, reducing strain, preventing pain, and supporting a healthier nervous system.
• Improved Daily Living: Better posture and mobility mean better sleep, more energy, and an overall boost in everyday well-being.
• Natural Pain Relief: By addressing the root cause of pain, chiropractic care can help reduce the need for medications and may even prevent costly surgeries. 

Health Benefits That Make A Difference

Understanding your chiropractic coverage doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s the first step to getting the care you need — without any surprises. If you have questions about your benefits or need a hand navigating your options, we’d love to help. Simply call one of our clinics, and we’ll make sure you get the care you deserve.

Interested in a consultation? We’re here for you at Simply Southern Chiropractic Center. Call us anytime! We’re happy to help.nytime! We’re happy to help.

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References

Whedon, J. M., Toler, A. W. J., Kazal, L. A., Bezdjian, S., Goehl, J. M., & Greenstein, J. (2020). Impact of Chiropractic Care on Use of Prescription Opioids in Patients with Spinal Pain. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), 21(12), 3567–3573. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnaa014

Paige, N. M., Miake-Lye, I. M., Booth, M. S., Beroes, J. M., Mardian, A. S., Dougherty, P., Branson, R., Tang, B., Morton, S. C., & Shekelle, P. G. (2017). Association of Spinal Manipulative Therapy With Clinical Benefit and Harm for Acute Low Back Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA, 317(14), 1451–1460. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.3086