Medicare
Medicare and coverage, in plain words
Medicare covers only spinal manipulation. Exams, x-rays and other services are not covered.
Most of our patients are on Medicare, and the rules are hard to read. We go through them with you at the front desk, before your first visit if you call, and again on paper before any visit Medicare may not pay for.
The Medicare box
What to know, in three parts
What Medicare covers
Medicare covers only spinal manipulation. Exams, x-rays and other services are not covered.
What you pay
After you meet your Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the manipulation Medicare covers.
When we give you an ABN
For care Medicare does not cover, we give you an Advance Beneficiary Notice before the visit. It says what Medicare may not pay and what it would cost you. You decide whether to go ahead.
The ABN
What an Advance Beneficiary Notice is
We tell you before
If a service is one Medicare does not cover, we give you the notice before the visit, never after.
It says what it costs
The notice names the service and the cost to you if Medicare does not pay.
You decide
You can take the care, or you can say no and go home. Either is fine with us.
Questions
Questions about Medicare
Does Medicare cover my first visit?
Medicare covers spinal manipulation if your doctor does it. It does not cover the exam or an x-ray. We tell you which parts of your visit Medicare may pay for, and give you an ABN for the rest.
What is the Part B deductible?
It is the amount you pay each year before Medicare Part B starts to pay. After you meet it, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for covered care. Medicare can tell you where you stand this year.
I have a Medicare Advantage plan. Does that change anything?
It can. Plans set their own rules for chiropractic care. Call the number on your card, or call us, and we help you ask.
I have a supplement plan. Does it pay the 20%?
Some supplement plans do. Ask your plan whether it pays the 20% for spinal manipulation, and bring your card so the front desk can check.
Bring your cards, and your questions
The front desk will go through it with you.