Medicare covers chiropractic care for correcting vertebral subluxations, which occur when the spinal joints do not move properly, but the contact between them remains intact.

Individuals use chiropractic treatments to help relieve musculoskeletal conditions, including neck, joint, and back pain.

Chiropractors can also treat some headaches, including migraine and tension headaches.

Glossary of Medicare terms

  • Out-of-pocket cost: This is the amount a person must pay for care when Medicare does not pay the total amount or offer coverage. Costs can include deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and premiums.
  • Premium: This is the amount of money someone pays each month for Medicare coverage.
  • Deductible: This is an annual amount a person must spend out of pocket within a certain period before Medicare starts to fund their treatments.
  • Coinsurance: This is the percentage of treatment costs that a person must self-fund. For Medicare Part B, coinsurance is 20%.
  • Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount a person with insurance pays when receiving certain treatments. For Medicare, this usually applies to prescription drugs.

Medicare covers chiropractic manipulation of the spine to correct a vertebral subluxationTrusted Source, which can cause neck or back pain.

However, Medicare does not cover chiropractic manipulations as maintenance or preventive care. Additionally, it does not cover massage therapy, acupuncture, or X-rays if a chiropractor orders them.

If a person is unsure whether Medicare covers specific tests or services that a chiropractor recommends, they should confirm costs as they may need to pay out-of-pocket.

Medicare will pay for an X-ray if a doctor orders it as part of a medically necessary diagnosis. The X-ray results could indicate that a referral to a chiropractor is medically necessary.

Medicare resources

For more resources to help guide you through the complex world of medical insurance, visit our Medicare hub.

Medicare Part B covers doctor visits and chiropractic care to correct a vertebral subluxation.

Once a person meets the Part B annual deductible, which in 2025 is $257, Medicare will cover 80% of eligible chiropractic care.

The specific amount a person owes may depend on several factors, such as:

  • whether their doctor accepts assignment — which means that they are participating with Medicare
  • where they get the service
  • other insurance they may have
  • how much their doctor charges
  • the type of healthcare facility they visit

Chiropractors address a range of spinal and other treatments, and the costs vary according to location, treatment, and the number of sessions.

According to an older 2015 reviewTrusted Source, the cost of chiropractic care per episode of care ranged from $264 to $6,171, with a median of $712. However, costs are likely to have risen since the publication of this review.

Medicare may cover other back pain services, medical treatments, and alternative therapies.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture refers to the practice of inserting tiny needles into the body to restore energy flow and reduce pain. In January 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Medicare would cover acupuncture to treat chronic low back pain.

The program will cover up to 12 sessions over 90 days, with a potential eight additional sessions if symptoms are improving.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy involves using exercises to strengthen and stretch the back and treat back pain. Medicare Part B covers any physical therapy service a doctor recommends to treat back pain. A person is responsible for 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after their deductible.

Other alternative therapies

Medicare does not currently cover massage therapy, so a person is responsible for 100% of the costs of this treatment for back pain.

It is important to note that coverage for Medicare changes frequently and often expands to include more treatments. The Medicare website has a useful tool that people can use to search for a particular service to determine coverage.

Although chiropractic treatment may be effective for relieving specific pains, some chiropractors have made unsubstantiated claims about the benefits of the practice for nonmusculoskeletal conditions. However, a 2016 articleTrusted Source set out a list of ways to improve the scientific standing of this technique.

Most chiropractors have since abandoned the idea that spinal manipulation can help treat conditions with no link to the spine.

Still, chiropractic care is an alternative to other treatment options for pain and discomfort, such as surgery or pain medications.

Some conditions a chiropractor can treat include the following:

  • back pain
  • conditions affecting the joints, ligaments, and muscles
  • headaches
  • neck pain

In addition to these services, a chiropractor may offer wellness services, including diet, exercise, and nutrition interventions.

Medicare Part B covers chiropractic manipulation of the spine to correct a vertebral subluxation, which may cause back pain.

However, it does not cover chiropractic care for other reasons or X-rays that a chiropractor may request.

Other back pain therapies Medicare may cover include acupuncture and physical therapy.