Medicare Coverage of Chiropractic Services

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Introduction to Chiropractic Services

A chiropractor must be licensed or legally authorized to furnish chiropractic services by the state or jurisdiction in which the services are furnished. In addition, a licensed chiropractor must meet uniform minimum standards to be considered a physician for Medicare coverage. Coverage extends only to treatment by means of manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation provided such treatment is legal in the state where performed. All other services furnished or ordered by chiropractors are not covered by Medicare.

If a chiropractor orders, takes or interprets an X‐ray, or other diagnostic procedure to demonstrate a subluxation of the spine, the X‐ray can be used for documentation. However, there is no coverage or payment by Medicare for these services or for any other diagnostic or therapeutic service ordered or furnished by the chiropractor.

Chiropractic service, which is eligible for reimbursement, is specifically limited by Medicare to the treatment by means of manual manipulation (i.e., by use of the hands or use of manual devices that are hand‐held, with the thrust of the force of the device being controlled manually) of the spine for the purpose of correcting a subluxation. Other services such as laboratory tests, X‐rays, nutritional supplements, modalities, traction, office visits, examinations, supports, etc., are services Medicare will not consider for payment when performed by a chiropractor. Payment is based on the physician fee schedule. The MPFS can be found on the Fee Schedule Lookup web page.

Reviewed 10/12/2023