On April 1, CMS began covering an expanded array of chiropractic services provided to Medicare beneficiaries in Maine, New Mexico, and parts of Illinois, Iowa, and Virginia.
Under the 2-year demonstration project, newly covered services include extraspinal manipulation, x-rays, EMG and nerve conduction studies, clinical lab tests, electrotherapy, ultrasound therapy, and evaluation and management services. Chiropractors also will be allowed to order MRIs, CT scans, and clinical lab services and to make referrals for physical therapy. Currently, Medicare chiropractic coverage is limited to manual spinal manipulation and therapy to treat neuromusculoskeletal conditions.
“By expanding chiropractic coverage in this demonstration, we are reducing out-of-pocket costs for seniors who visit chiropractors, and we will learn whether paying chiropractors for delivering these additional services can help improve health outcomes and keep Medicare costs down,” said CMS Administrator Mark B. McClellan, M.D.