Health Insurance - Chiropractic Benefit Coverage With Auto Plans

By Kelly Parker


Chiropractic treatment has a history of being controversial and seen as non scientific by the medical community. The medical field has disagreed with the treatments provided by chiropractors, however recently the alternative treatment has earned some credibility and has become accepted among medical professionals. Its inclusion in health insurance - chiropractic benefit coverage is becoming a common part of managed care plans.



Chiropractor therapy is provided by a licensed practitioner who is trained by an institution that is accredited, uses no drugs or surgery to treat. They do use a combination of hot and cold therapy, exercise, nutrition, manipulation and adjustment of the spine, and a number of other therapies. It is important for the patient to check to see if their coverage includes any additional therapies that the chiropractor may provide since not all policies cover everything.

In order to get paid through insurance companies, chiropractors will contract with the managed care network or insurance companies, accepting the treatment guidelines and schedule of fees of the managed care organization. This will designate the chiropractor as a provider of care covered by the particular health coverage companies. The chiropractor will then be listed in the company provider manual which also is a form of advertisement.

Patients who have chiropractor care included in their policy, pay a co pay on every visit until they reach the yearly deductible amount of the policy. Once the deductible has been satisfied, the policy will pay an agreed percentage of the fees charged. When the chiropractor is a provider under the patients particular policy, their treatments will cost the patient less since the policy will pay a good amount for the care.

Payment for the chiropractor service follow guidelines that are very similar to those for traditional medical therapy. The acceptance of chiropractor treatment is the result of the increase and acceptance of other complementary and alternative medicine. Employers are now demanding the inclusion of chiropractor services in group plans in response to employee requests.

There are also discount plans that are offered as alternative way to pay for treatment. Many policies offer discount plans for dental and eye care and chiropractor discount plans work the same way. The patient is provided a discount rate that is paid out of their pocket and not reimbursed by the health plan.

Automobile coverage may also include chiropractic care for damages sustained in an accident. With coverage through automobile insurance, the patient will not have to obtain a referral form a medical doctor to see a chiropractor. Make sure that it is understood exactly what a policy will cover because some of the treatments that the chiropractor uses may not be covered.

The medical community accepting chiropractic treatment has caused insurance - chiropractic benefit coverage to become a very common part of group and individual health plans. Since some auto coverage plans include treatment by chiropractors, it is a good idea to be certain which treatments are covered in case there is any injury due to an accident.




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