Full and Non-Discriminatory Inclusion of Chiropractors in Medicare

Doctors of Chiropractic are defined as physicians by Medicare, the Federal Employee Health Benefit Program and the Federal Workers' Compensation program. Currently chiropractors are only reimbursed by Medicare for manipulation to the spine. Chiropractors should be given full and non-discriminatory inclusion in Medicare. They should be reimbursed by Medicare for all services under their scope of practice that Medicare pays other health care providers. Studies have shown that using chiropractors as first providers saves costs. Chiropractic care is not an add-on it is a direct substitution for other care. Studies have also show that there are better functional improvement outcomes and higher patient satisfaction with chiropractic care.