Is Chiropractic Care Covered by Insurance?
Many individuals seek chiropractic care for relief from back pain, which can be caused by various factors such as poor posture, muscle strain, or spinal misalignments. They may be interested in finding out if their insurance covers chiropractic treatments as a non-invasive option for managing their pain. Welcome to Hamel Chiropractic and Wellness, our new patients often ask us if we accept insurance for chiropractic care. The answer is a resounding yes, Dr. Hamel is an in-network provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna; they accept all plans including PPO, POS, EPO, HMO and more. If you're considering chiropractic treatment and wondering whether your insurance plan will cover it, you've come to the right place. In this article, we will explore the topic of insurance coverage for chiropractic services, helping you understand the factors that determine coverage, the types of insurance plans that may offer chiropractic benefits, and how to navigate insurance for holistic health services.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding your insurance coverage for chiropractic care can help you access the treatment you need and at potential a lower cost than if only using self-pay.
- Insurance coverage for chiropractic services varies depending on your insurance plan, we have some patients who have $3000 deductibles and some that have $0 deductibles. Most new patients using their insurance have anywhere from a $20 copay up to a $60 copay on average.
- It's important to check if your insurance plan offers chiropractic benefits and understand the limitations and requirements. Our patients coming in with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna often have great chiropractic coverage, giving each member an average of 10-35 chiropractic treatments per year.
- Dr. Hamel is also a car accident chiropractor treating whiplash injured patients, his office ONLY accepts PIP, (personal injury protection) or Uninsured motorist insurance from most major auto policies such as Geico, USAA, Farmers, State Farm, Nationwide, Allstate, Progressive, Farmers Bureau of Texas, Travelers and more. Texas law requires that your insurance company offer at least $2500 PIP to all of its policy holders. PIP coverage goes from $2500-$10000 per person involved in the car accident, one can use this coverage for any medical treatment after their car wreck
- Some insurance plans may require pre-authorization or referrals for chiropractic care. Just know that all HMO insurance plans require a referral from their primary doctor.
- If chiropractic care is not covered by your insurance, alternative options may include out-of-pocket payment or finding a chiropractor who offers affordable payment plans. At Hamel Chiropractic and Wellness we offer our patients other options to cover chiropractic services besides insurance. We have very affordable self-pay chiropractic packages, (10 visits) as well as discounted shockwave therapy treatments, (10 visits). This saves patients money and makes treatment more affordable; Dr. Hamel's office also accetps all HSA/FSA health spending cards for chiropractic care, shockwave therapy and nutritional supplements.
Understanding Chiropractic Insurance Coverage
When it comes to chiropractic care, understanding how insurance coverage works can greatly benefit you. In this section, we will explore the various aspects of chiropractic insurance, including reimbursement, insurance acceptance by chiropractors, and the benefits offered by health insurance plans for chiropractic treatment.
Chiropractic Care Reimbursement
Chiropractic care reimbursement refers to the process of receiving payment from your insurance provider for the chiropractic services you receive. It's important to note that reimbursement rates may vary depending on your insurance plan and the specific services provided. To better understand your coverage, it's recommended to consult with your insurance provider and review your policy in detail. At Hamel Chiropractic, we see insurance companies cover their subscribers for a certain amount of chiropractic visits per year, or a dollar amount per year. It is important to check your plan to see if you have a deductible; some plans have a $250, $750 or even $6000 deductible; this means the patient has to pay out of pocket until this is met; and then insurance will cover services. Some patients have a $!5 copay, some $50, some pay a 20% copay per visit; there are literally a thousand policies for Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna so we don't know benefit details until we check this.
Chiropractor Insurance Acceptance
Not all insurance companies cover chiropractic services, so it's essential to determine if your insurance plan accepts chiropractors. Many reputable insurance providers offer coverage for chiropractic care, including major health insurance companies. When considering chiropractic treatment, it's advisable to check your insurance plan to ensure that it includes chiropractic services in its network of covered providers. For Dr. Hamel's services he only accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna and PIP insurance, he no longer accepts Cigna, United Healthcare, or Humana. It is surprising says Dr. Hamel, that there are still some insurance policies through Blue Cross and Aetna that do not cover chiropractic care; this is probably less than 10%.
Health Insurance and Chiropractic Benefits
Health insurance plans often provide benefits for chiropractic treatment, recognizing its value in promoting overall wellness. These benefits may include coverage for a certain number of visits per year, prescribed treatments, and complementary therapies. Big companies and corporations realize the benefit of chiropractic and their employees feeling pain free and productive so many have decided to offer their employees chiropractic coverage on their plan. We see patients from all over Houston Dr. Hamel adds, most with Blue Cross Blue Shield or Aetna work for big corporations. We see employees from United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Centerpoint Energy, Exxon Mobil, Costco, HEB, The FAA, Federal Employees, US Post Office, Halliburton, Amazon, and more.
Chiropractic Treatment and Insurance Claims
When seeking chiropractic treatment, it is crucial to follow the proper process for filing insurance claims. At Hamel Chiropractic and Wellness we file all insurance claims electronically for medical insurance and by mail/fax for car accident PIP cases. The filing process is pretty easy says Dr. Hamel, we send it in and usually get paid within 1-2 weeks, the patient will also get an explanation of benefits showing what their insurance company paid, what went to deductible and what their copay was.
Chiropractic Services Insurance Policies
Insurance policies related to chiropractic services outline the terms and conditions for coverage. These policies may detail the specific treatments covered, the maximum coverage limits, and any referral or pre-authorization requirements. It is important to review these policies carefully to understand the scope of coverage for chiropractic care under your insurance plan.
Checking Your Insurance Coverage for Chiropractic Services
Before seeking chiropractic care, it's important to check your insurance plan to see if it covers these services. Many insurance policies now cover holistic medicine such as acupuncture, chiropractic and even massage therapy. Review your policy documents or contact your insurance provider directly. Look for specific information on chiropractic care, including any limitations, requirements, or exclusions that may be mentioned. If you work for a big corporation definitely reach out to your Human Resources department, they handle all of the insurance plans administered to employees. Some companies offer a few different plans for insurance so if you are interested in chiropractic care ask HR what plans cover this service. We have a lot of patients who, at the end of the year, review the new insurance plans made available by their employers, usually you can go online to get detailed information about coverage, copays, deductibles, premiums and more.
Finding Chiropractors in Kingwood Who Accept Your Insurance
Once you've confirmed that your insurance plan covers chiropractic services, the next step is finding a Kingwood chiropractor who accepts your insurance. Dr. Hamel has been a network provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna for over 20 years, he accepts all plans including PPO, POS, EPO, HMO and more. You can always look up online at BCBS and Aetna's directory for a provider list in the Kingwood area who offers chiropractic services. There is also a company called ZocDoc who has a network of chiropractors in your local area and shows the insurance policies that they accept. ZocDoc is also great when looking for other medical providers such as primary care doctors and specialists.
Alternative Paths for Accessing Chiropractic Care
If Dr. Hamel is out of network with you insurance company you still may have some benefits and we can always verify that for you. There is hope, if your insurance plan does not cover chiropractic services, there is no need to worry, 1/2 of Dr. Hamel's patients are self-pay, meaning they pay out of pocket for their chiropractic or shockwave therapy treatments. This is the case for new patients who do not have any health insurance or their deductibles may be outrageously high. Some options to consider include:
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) or Health Savings Accounts (HSA): These accounts allow you to set aside pre-tax money to cover eligible healthcare expenses, which may include chiropractic care. For most of our self-pay patients, Dr. Hamel says, they use a health spending credit card which will cover chiropractic adjustments, nutritional supplements and shockwave therapy.
- Cash payment or discounted rates: At his Kingwood chiropractic office Dr. Hamel does offer cash payment options or discounted rates for patients without insurance coverage. In this case we do not have to file any insurance or fill out countless forms so we can pass those savings on to patients. Currently Dr. Hamel offers packages of 10 visits which are discounted for chiropractic and shockwave therapy
Exploring these alternatives can help you access the chiropractic care you need, even if it is not covered by your insurance plan.
Remember, it's essential to review your individual insurance plan and consult with your insurance provider to determine the extent of chiropractic benefits available to you. By navigating insurance for holistic health benefits effectively, you can prioritize your well-being and make the most of your coverage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding whether your insurance will cover chiropractic care is an important step in accessing the holistic health services you need. While coverage can vary depending on your specific insurance plan, knowing how to navigate insurance policies and the specifics of chiropractic insurance coverage can help you maximize your benefits.
Remember, having the knowledge and understanding of your insurance coverage for chiropractic services allows you to make informed decisions about your healthcare choices. Finding an in- network provider for your chiropractic needs in Kingwood is essential, Dr. Hamel has accepted BCBS and Aeta medical insurance for over 20 years. Whether your insurance fully covers chiropractic care or offers partial coverage, taking advantage of the benefits available to you can help you maintain and improve your overall well-being.
FAQ
Is chiropractic care covered by insurance?
Coverage for chiropractic care depends on your specific insurance plan. Some insurance plans do offer coverage for chiropractic services, while others may not. It is important to review your plan's details or contact your insurance provider to determine if chiropractic care is covered. At Hamel Chiropractic and Wellness they accept Blue Cross and Aetna insurance, for all new patients they do a free benefit check to see exactly what your insurance covers.
How can I find out if my insurance covers chiropractic services?
To find out if your insurance covers chiropractic services, you can either review your plan's documents, visit your insurance provider's website, or contact your insurance company directly. Give Melissa a call at Hamel Chiropractic and Wellness and she will verify your insurance, give you details about copays, deductibles, visits per year and other coverage.
Are there specific types of insurance plans that cover chiropractic care?
Different types of insurance plans may offer coverage for chiropractic care. This can include health insurance plans, employer-sponsored plans, Medicare, or Medicaid. Dr. Hamel is an in- network provider for Blue Cross and Aetna, he has served many of these insured patients over the years coming in from United Airlines, Costco, Amazon, USPS and more.
Can I file an insurance claim for chiropractic treatment?
Yes, you can usually file an insurance claim for chiropractic treatment if your insurance plan covers those services. You don't have to worry about this because Dr. Hamel's office does all this for you, they file insurance electronically every week. The insurance takes about 1-2 weeks to pay a claim and you as the patient will be able to see the EOB, explanation of benefits for each claim.
How do I find a chiropractor who accepts my insurance?
To find a chiropractor who accepts your insurance, you can start by checking the provider directory provided by your insurance company. This will list chiropractors who are in-network and covered by your insurance plan. Most of our new patients who come in for back and neck pain find us on their insurance plan, then they check our google reviews and finally decide to book an appointment. To get rid of the neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain or knee pain they want a Kingwood chiropractor in the community they can trust, who accepts their insurance and has great reviews.
What should I do if my insurance does not cover chiropractic care?
If your insurance plan does not cover chiropractic care, Dr. Hamel said that is 50% of his chiropractic patients, you still have options. You can explore alternative paths for accessing chiropractic care, such as utilizing a flexible spending account (FSA) or a health savings account (HSA) if you have one. Additionally, you can inquire about discounted rates or payment plans directly with Dr. Hamel, he wants to make chiropractic and shockwave therapy affordable to the majority of patients who want to feel better and get rid of their aches and pains.
