What's the Average Cost of Visiting a Chiropractor?
Chiropractic visits cost $80, on average.
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The exact amount you'll pay depends on where you live, your insurance coverage and the type of services you need. For example, patients in the Midwest typically pay less for chiropractic care than in the South.
Your health insurance may pay for some or all of your chiropractic bill. Coverage depends on your plan details, so it's a good idea to call your insurance company before you go to the chiropractor's office.
How much does a chiropractor cost?
An average visit to the chiropractor costs $80.
The exact amount you'll pay depends in part on where you live.
Chiropractor cost by region
Region | Cost |
|---|---|
| Midwest | $66 |
| West | $71 |
| East coast | $73 |
| South | $93 |
It's also important to remember that the services you get are also a big part of your final bill. New patient visits tend to be more expensive than routine appointments, and more involved procedures, such as a massage, may cost more than a simpler treatment like a hot pack.
Average cost of chiropractic procedures
Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Hot or cold packs | $19 |
| Manual electrical stimulation | $28 |
| Ultrasound | $29 |
| Mechanical traction | $36 |
| Range-of-motion measurement | $50 |
Will insurance pay for a chiropractor visit?
Many insurance plans will pay for some chiropractic services.
Insurance companies aren't required to pay for chiropractors at the national level. That's because chiropractic care doesn't fall under the 10 services all health plans have to cover under the Affordable Care Act, called minimum essential coverage.
But some states have stricter rules about what health insurance has to cover. That means plans in your area may be required to pay for some services when you visit the chiropractor. Even if you live in a state that doesn't require chiropractic coverage, your plan may still offer coverage for certain services.
It's a good idea to call your insurance company before you go to the chiropractor to get a better understanding of what your policy covers.
Keep in mind, some plans may also restrict your coverage by only letting you see a chiropractor a certain number of times per year. You may also need to get a referral from your primary care doctor before you can see a chiropractor, depending on your policy details.
Chiropractic costs you have to pay with insurance
Even if your insurance plan covers chiropractic care, you may still be responsible for paying certain costs.
- Deductibles are a set dollar figure you have to pay before coverage starts for most medical care. If you haven't met your deductible for the year, you'll usually pay for the full cost of your chiropractic appointments.
- Copays are a fixed amount you have to pay for a medical service after meeting your deductible. For example, you may pay $20 every time you go to the chiropractor, regardless of how much your insurance company actually gets billed.
- Coinsurance is a percentage of your medical bill that you have to pay. If you have a 30% coinsurance and an $80 bill from the chiropractor, you'd pay $24 and your insurance would pick up the remaining $56.
Depending on the care you need and your plan details, you may get coverage for visits to the chiropractor even if you haven't met your deductible yet. In that case, you'd typically pay a copay or coinsurance for each visit.
It's also important to remember you may pay extra if you go out of your insurance company's network if you have a PPO (preferred provider organization).
More restrictive health plan types, such as HMOs (health maintenance organizations) typically don't offer any coverage for out-out-network services, unless you need emergency care.
Does Medicare cover chiropractic care?
Medicare Part B (doctor visits) pays for a chiropractor to fix problems with the joints between your vertebrae. But Medicare won't pay for other services offered by your chiropractor, such as X-rays or massage therapy.
Medicare covers acupuncture, but not from a chiropractor, unless they have a Master's degree or higher in acupuncture or Oriental Medicine and they're licensed to practice acupuncture in your state.
You need to meet your $257 Part B deductible before coverage starts for this procedure. You're also responsible for 20% of your medical bill after meeting your deductible with Original Medicare (Parts A and B), unless you have a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy.
Some Medicare Advantage plans may have more coverage for chiropractic services. That's because these policies can cover extra services not included in Original Medicare, such as dental, vision and gym memberships.
It's important to remember that Medicare Advantage plans work more like regular health insurance you'd get through your job or a state health marketplace. That means you may be restricted to a network of doctors and you may need to pay thousands of dollars before meeting your deductible.
Does Medicaid cover chiropractors?
Medicaid, a type of free government health insurance for those who earn a low income, sometimes pays for chiropractic care. Coverage depends on where you live and what services you need.
Remember, Medicaid is run by both the federal and state governments, which means chiropractic coverage differs by state. For example, Medicaid in California pays for up to two spinal manual manipulations per month. In Florida, Medicaid enrollees get up to 24 chiropractic visits per year and coverage for X-rays. But Medicaid only covers chiropractic services for children in Alaska.
What is a chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a medical professional who specializes in treating pain by manipulating the spine. You may see a chiropractor if you injured your back in a car accident or at the gym.
Historically, many people viewed chiropractors as less legitimate than traditional doctors. But a growing body of research has shown that chiropractic techniques can reduce spinal pain and help you with everyday activities.
That may be one reason why the number of people who report seeing a chiropractor has increased steadily in recent years.
To practice, chiropractors need to get a four-year Doctorate of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, which puts the profession on similar terms with doctors and physical therapists. Plus, all states have licensing requirements to become a chiropractor. These often include passing tests, working for a certain number of hours under an experienced supervisor and continuing education requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a visit to the chiropractor cost?
An average visit to a chiropractor costs $80. You may pay more or less depending on where you live, the type of services you need and your insurance coverage.
Does insurance cover chiropractic visits?
Health insurance often pays for some chiropractic visits. But coverage differs depending on where you live and your plan details, so it's a good idea to call your insurance company before your first chiropractic appointment to avoid an unexpected bill.
Are chiropractors worth the money?
A chiropractor may be worth the money if you have ongoing spinal pain. It's a good idea to ask your primary care doctor if you'd benefit from a chiropractor visit if you have back pain.
Methodology
Average cost for chiropractic visits and average fee costs came from the 28th Annual Fees and Reimbursements Survey conducted by Chiropractic Economics. Information regarding Medicare came from Medicare.gov and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). Essential health benefits rules came from HealthCare.gov.
Talon Abernathy
Senior Writer
Talon Abernathy is a ValuePenguin Senior Writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. He's also contributed to other insurance verticals including home, renters, auto, motorcycle and flood insurance.
Talon came to ValuePenguin in 2023. Since his arrival, he's helped to expand the site's health insurance-related content offerings. He enjoys helping readers understand the ins and outs of America's all too complicated health insurance landscape.
Before coming to ValuePenguin, Talon worked as a freelance writer. His prior work has touched on a broad range of personal finance-related topics including credit-building strategies, small business incorporation tactics and creative ways to save for retirement.
Insurance tip
In many parts of the country, you can qualify for a free Silver health insurance plan if you meet certain income requirements. Government subsidies in the form of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions may mean you'll pay nothing for coverage.
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Education
- BA, University of Washington
- Certificate in Copyediting, UC San Diego
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