• Magazine
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • Change Mailing Address
    • Surveys
    • Guidelines for Authors
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Editorial Deadlines
  • Practice
    • Business Tips
    • Chiropractic Schools
    • Clinical & Technique
    • eBooks
    • eCourses
    • Infographics
    • Quizzes
    • Wellness & Nutrition
    • Personal Growth
    • Podcast
  • Resource Centers
  • Products & Services
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Products Directory
    • Submit a Product
    • Vendor Login
  • Datebook
    • Become an Events Poster
    • Post an Event
    • View Events
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
  • Advertise
    • Advertising Information
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Upload Advertising

Your Online Chiropractic Community

Chiropractic Economics Your Online Chiropractic Community
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • News
  • Webinars
  • Chiropractic Research
  • Students
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19)

More chiropractic insurance coverage, non-drug pain care coming in 2020

Chiropractic Economics December 24, 2019

Chiropractic insurance coverage will remain on the upswing in 2020 as the non-drug pain relief movement continues to reduce opioid use...

Chiropractic insurance coverage will remain on the upswing in 2020 as the non-drug pain relief movement continues to reduce opioid use

The long-running opioid crisis is far from over, but progress has been made in decreasing the number of opioid prescriptions by MDs and first looking for non-drug pain treatment alternatives.

“A study published this year showed the overall number of opioid prescriptions have decreased 13% since 2010, with the largest decrease in 2017, and that high-dose prescriptions have decreased by more than 53% since 2006,” writes Sherry McAllister, DC and executive vice president of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), in Managed Healthcare Executive. “The prescribing shift has been driven by changes in regulations, awareness, and education, as well as payer policies.”

But there is still ground to cover in terms of giving patients easy access to chiropractic insurance coverage, care, non-drug pain management and removing health plan-imposed barriers such as strict utilization limits and high out-of-pocket spending requirements.

Research has shown that private and government health plans have steered members toward formerly easy-to-prescribe and plentiful, thanks to drug makers, opioids by making chiropractic care difficult to seek. UnitedHealth Group’s OptumLabs subsidiary and the Boston University School of Public Health recently released a study that showed higher out-of-pocket costs made it less likely for patients with low-back pain to choose noninvasive treatments such as chiropractic care.

“Many leading payers, however, are supporting more progressive policies that embrace chiropractic care, physical therapy, acupuncture, and other safer, nonpharmacological methods,” McAllister writes. “For example, in October, UnitedHealthcare announced health plan participants enrolled in certain employer-sponsored medical plans will have zero out-of-pocket spending, including their deductible, if they select chiropractic care for the treatment of low-back pain. UnitedHealthcare estimates that by 2021 this benefit design has the potential to reduce the number of spinal imaging tests by 22%, spinal surgeries by 21%, opioid use by 19%, and lower the total cost of care for members and employers.”

The military and military health plans are now also taking advantage of chiropractic. Tricare, the federal government health insurer for the military, is the most prominent leader in this trend, is now covering chiropractic care for active-duty troops, activated guards, and reserve members, but not families. Next year Tricare is expected to approve extending coverage of chiropractic care to military family members, retirees and their family members.

Insurance plans in California and Philadelphia are significantly expanding chiropractic insurance coverage, as is the Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement.

“Removing those financial and bureaucratic barriers could improve patient outcomes and increase their satisfaction with their health plan,” McAllister writes. “After all, recent survey results show that 79% of adults would prefer to first address their neck or back pain using methods other than prescription medication while DCs earn higher scores than medical doctors in qualities such as listening, convenient/quick access to care, demonstrating care/compassion, and explaining things well.”

For doctors and patients, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) recently launched a new website to educate the public about non-drug pain relief and the chiropractic profession’s holistic approach to health and improved function. HandsDownBetter.org is a resource for those who seek alternatives to pain medications and surgery for common musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain, neck pain, joint pain and headaches. Visitors also can learn about important federal legislative initiatives to increase patient access to chiropractic insurance coverage, services and can search for an ACA chiropractor in their area.

“People need to know they have options in health care, particularly when it comes to pain relief and non-drug alternatives such as chiropractic services,” said ACA President Robert C. Jones, DC.

To read the full Managed Healthcare Executive article go to www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/news/more-payers-backing-chiropractic-care-2020.

Related Posts

  • Foundation for Chiropractic Progress supports Opioid Commission recommendationFoundation for Chiropractic Progress supports Opioid Commission recommendation
  • Chiropractic Economics Letter From the Editor — It’s a great time for chiropractic to make an impactChiropractic Economics Letter From the Editor — It’s a great time for chiropractic to make an impact
  • F4CP highlights annual record drop in opioid prescription use for  National Drug-Free Pain Management Awareness MonthF4CP highlights annual record drop in opioid prescription use for National Drug-Free Pain Management Awareness Month
  • U.S. health care continues move toward multidisciplinary medicineU.S. health care continues move toward multidisciplinary medicine
  • New studies support inclusion of chiropractic in collaborative careNew studies support inclusion of chiropractic in collaborative care
  • Foot Levelers urges chiropractic care for pain treatmentFoot Levelers urges chiropractic care for pain treatment

Filed Under: Chiropractic News, News

Current Issue

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube logoYouTube logoYouTube

820 A1A N Highway W18,

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Phone 904.285.6020

Fax 904.395.9118

CONTACT US »

Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Copyright © 2021, All Rights Reserved

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE

Get Chiropractic Economics magazine
delivered to your home or office. Just
fill out our form to request your FREE
subscription for 20 issues a year,
including two annual Buyers Guides.

SUBSCRIBE NOW »

Latest Chiropractic News

  • MediHerb® introduces Ashwagandha Forte for patient sleep, stress, immunity support
  • HealthLight expands to include blue light therapy for chiropractors
  • Chiropractic student scholarships awarded by National Board of Chiropractic Examiners
x