Back pain is a far too common issue. This is something that’s often falsely attributed to the normal aging process. In reality, however, back pain isn’t something that people should have to deal with at any stage of life. Whether you’ve been in a slip and fall accident, have recently survived a major car crash, or believe that your work duties are starting to get the best of you, working with a licensed chiropractor can help you get back on the path to good health.
More often than not, back pain is the result of a highly correctable musculoskeletal issue, such as a spinal subluxation, a pinched or compressed nerve, or excess muscle tension. In fact, in some instances, back pain is merely the result of unhealthy life habits and can be resolved with therapies like postural correction, inversion, therapeutic massage, and structured weight management plans among many other things. Given the high rate of success that chiropractors have in both alleviating back pain and resolving its underlying causes, chiropractic care is a trusted and respected part of the health care industry. Due to this fact, many forms of insurance do indeed recognize and cover this care when it’s shown to be needed. Chiropractic care is an included service in most health insurance plans, including plans for federal employees, and many major medical plans.
How The Responsibility For Chiropractic Costs Is Determined
Although many options in chiropractic care are covered by most major medical plans, it is still important for patients to learn more about the specific provisions that are made in their coverage. For instance, you should find whether there are:
- Limits on the number of covered visits
- Requirements for doctor referrals
- Caps on the amount that your insurer will pay
There are also certain diagnostic services that can be performed in this environment based upon the patient’s current condition, physiological concerns, and medical history. While your insurer might cover general chiropractic treatment and care, specific types of diagnostic imaging may not be available under your plan. Other services that can result in out-of-pocket spending on your end include:
- Physical therapy
- Any chiropractor-prescribed vitamins or supplements
- Professional evaluation services
- Orthopedic appliances and devices
There is also the question of whether or not your insurer is required to assume financial responsibility for the specific treatments you need. For instance, given that chiropractors are known for treating impact-related injuries such as those that are sustained in car crashes, their fees are frequently covered by the responsible or legally liable parties. As such, if your back pain is the result of an automobile collision, the responsible party’s car insurance company will be responsible for covering your medical costs, including the costs of your chiropractic care. If you were the responsible driver in this event, your treatment will be covered by the provisions for damage that are made in your own comprehensive car insurance plan. Your personal health plan will not cover the costs of care if the need for this care is the direct result of a liability issue. When the billing for treatment is initially submitted, your personal health insurance company will likely send you a questionnaire about your injury and the event that caused it, before settling the charges.
If you’re in dire need of chiropractic care and have yet to collect settlement from an injury claim, you may still have options for receiving treatment. For instance, some chiropractic doctors and clinics will work with car accident victims on the basis of contingency payments. This means that they will collect their fees when the injured party’s settlement is received. More often than not, however, these clinics will only accept contingency payments provided that patients have already aligned themselves with personal injury attorneys, and already have claims in the process. No matter what your circumstances may be, most locations will have reasonable payment plans and payment alternatives that you can take advantage of.
There are times when receiving chiropractic care can be essential for regaining and taking control of your general and ongoing health. Back pain treatments in traditional medical settings often entail little more than prescription pain medications and recommendations for bed rest. Although these measures can sometimes support natural healing, chiropractors take a more proactive and holistic approach to helping patients improve their well-being. With the many therapies that are offered in these environments, people are often able to achieve marked increases in their comfort, well-being, mobility, and energy, without having to undergo invasive back surgeries, and without relying heavily on pain medications. If you’re looking for a safe and effective way to naturally alleviate and manage your back pain, call us today at 205-637-1363.
