My insurance will not cover chiropractic care.

[fancicoffee13]

I have a disc in my neck that causes pain in my left shoulder and part of my neck. The chiropractor called today to say my insurance will not pay or cover the cost of treatment, what can I afford to pay. I said, I can't afford to pay for it. I am a senior and am already really stretched to the max. Well, I am going in and talk to them, because, earlier when I went into the ER, they called them and they said my insurance covered it all the way.

 

[caroln]

You don't mention who your insurance company is. If it's doctor prescribed treatment, most insurance companies will cover chiropractic. But even if you can get your insurance company to pay for chiropractic, you'll still have to pay a deductible and possibly co-pay. And they won't pay for x-rays, etc. Just the adjustment. Even if it's covered by Medicare, they won't pay until you've met your deductible. My deductible is $200 so I always end up paying out of pocket.

Maybe your doctor can call the insurance company and work out something on your behalf. Good luck and I hope you get to feeling better.

 

[Dustbunny]

You could try to see if your insurance will cover a Dr. prescribed Physical Therapy treatment. Traction ( if applicable for your condition ), heat with massage and exercises (that you take home to do also).

 

[fancicoffee13]

You don't mention who your insurance company is. If it's doctor prescribed treatment, most insurance companies will cover chiropractic. But even if you can get your insurance company to pay for chiropractic, you'll still have to pay a deductible and possibly co-pay. And they won't pay for x-rays, etc. Just the adjustment. Even if it's covered by Medicare, they won't pay until you've met your deductible. My deductible is $200 so I always end up paying out of pocket.

Maybe your doctor can call the insurance company and work out something on your behalf. Good luck and I hope you get to feeling better.

I went this morning, and you are right.

 

[Mike]

fancicoffee,

Can your Doctor not recommend Physio/Physical therapy,
as they are more used you should get it that way, over here
the physios are hospital based and chiropractors are usually
all in private practice.

Mike.

 

[caroln]

I went this morning, and you are right.

So, what's the verdict? Are they going to pay anything after your deductible? What did they say?

 

[Kaila]

Chiropractors often offer some services which are covered, and some which are not. Such as, Nutrition counselling, and other things.
Your chiropractor should already know which ones would be excluded by insurance, and inform you first, so you could decide which services to have from them.

 

[fancicoffee13]

So, what's the verdict? Are they going to pay anything after your deductible? What did they say?

I forgot and will ask them, and I am going to call my insurance and see what my deductible is and go from there.

 

[Nathan]

You could try to see if your insurance will cover a Dr. prescribed Physical Therapy treatment. Traction ( if applicable for your condition ), heat with massage and exercises (that you take home to do also).

Excellent advice. Plus, you can do therapeutic gentle movement on your own, without worry of insurance coverage.
There are literally millions of free videos that demonstrate restorative movement, here's a couple:

 

[fancicoffee13]

I forgot and will ask them, and I am going to call my insurance and see what my deductible is and go from there.

Well, my deductible is $400, then 20% of the rest. (!)

 

[fancicoffee13]

Excellent advice. Plus, you can do therapeutic gentle movement on your own, without worry of insurance coverage.
There are literally millions of free videos that demonstrate restorative movement, here's a couple:

Thank you

 

[caroln]

Well, my deductible is $400, then 20% of the rest. (!)

That's a lot of out of pocket expense. Maybe the physical therapy idea prescribed by your doctor may be better for you.

 

[Kaila]

If you haven't already, I would ask the chiropractic office if they would lower your amount to actually pay to them, meaning would they make an adjustment to your balance owed/due, after it was submitted to insurance, so that the charges would apply to the deductible, but that the chiro. could accept less from you.

Some might, and some won't, but it's worth asking.

I mean, besides them offering to let you have a payment plan. That doesn't help much when our income is too low.

That is a high deductible for medical outpatient coverage.

Sorry you are having the pain, Fanci. I hope it improves soon.

Like the others above, I would check into whether any local physical therapy practices, might have your insurance pay more, have a lower deductible for that possibly, or would be willing to lower your owed balance, as I described.
It might be the better alternative for you.

 

[fancicoffee13]

That's a lot of out of pocket expense. Maybe the physical therapy idea prescribed by your doctor may be better for you.

Yes, that's what I was thinking.

 

[fancicoffee13]

Excellent advice. Plus, you can do therapeutic gentle movement on your own, without worry of insurance coverage.
There are literally millions of free videos that demonstrate restorative movement, here's a couple:

Thank you.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

I have a disc in my neck that causes pain in my left shoulder and part of my neck. The chiropractor called today to say my insurance will not pay or cover the cost of treatment, what can I afford to pay. I said, I can't afford to pay for it. I am a senior and am already really stretched to the max. Well, I am going in and talk to them, because, earlier when I went into the ER, they called them and they said my insurance covered it all the way.

Have you considered physiotherapy.? Most insurance will cover that and it’s effective. It’s handled differently but at least you’ll get treatment you need and gave it paid for.