Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Patients must treat their symptoms promptly to ensure they don’t worsen.
Medicare beneficiaries must be able to access affordable, conservative chiropractic care. Research demonstrates that chiropractic has been associated with positive patient outcomes and lower costs.
What is Not Covered?
Many people who could benefit from chiropractic treatment fail to get it because they don’t have the funds to pay for it. However, there are ways to make chiropractic care more affordable. Some supplemental health insurance plans may cover treatment costs, or you can work with a chiropractor to devise a payment plan.
You should always check with your specific Blue Cross Blue Shield policy to find out exactly what is covered and the extent of coverage. You can also call their member support team to get further details.
Chiropractic services are an effective treatment for various conditions, and they can help improve posture and alleviate pain from injuries. Most health insurance providers, including BCBS covers chiropractic treatment. However, some policies require a deductible or a minimum dollar amount before the benefits kick in. Others require that your primary care physician provide a referral before they will cover the service.
What is a Copay?
A copay is a fixed out-of-pocket amount you pay when receiving healthcare services. It is paid in addition to your insurance premium and counts towards your out-of-pocket maximum. Copays differ from deductibles because they are paid after you reach your deductible.
You will have to pay the most out-of-pocket maximum for in-network health care in a year. This is calculated from your deductible and coinsurance payments.
The term “network” refers to a group of doctors and providers who have agreed to accept your insurance plan’s rates for care, such as Humana Medicare Advantage plans 2025. This differs from an “out-of-network” provider, which does not agree to these rates and may charge more for care. This is why it’s important to always check your healthcare coverage before choosing a provider. Copays and deductibles can vary widely between providers and plans. The differences are due to the individual insurance policies and their terms and conditions. The best way to ensure you receive care within your coverage limits is to work with an in-network provider.
What is a Deductible?
A deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket each year before your health insurance plan starts to cover costs. It is separate from copays, flat fees for eligible services at the time of service, or coinsurance, representing a fixed percentage of covered medical expenses you and your insurance company split after meeting your annual deductible.
Your health insurance plan’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximum reset each enrollment year. So, selecting a plan with a deductible you can comfortably afford to meet and one with a monthly premium within your budget is important.
If you are healthy and don’t expect to use medical services often, a high-deductible plan with lower monthly premiums may work well for you. However, you must have the funds available to meet your deductible in case of an unexpected illness or injury. Some employer-sponsored plans allow you to pair your plan with a personal health account (PHA) that can be used to offset the impact of a high deductible.
