Is Chiropractic covered by medicare?

Medicare provides limited coverage for chiropractic services under specific conditions. Generally, chiropractic care is not included in standard Medicare benefits for routine visits. However, Medicare may cover chiropractic services under the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan. This plan allows individuals with chronic medical conditions (e.g., back pain, arthritis) to access allied health services, including chiropractic care, if referred by a General Practitioner (GP).

The CDM plan offers up to five allied health sessions per calendar year, which can be spread across different services such as chiropractic, dietitians or podiatry. The cost of these sessions is partially reimbursed by Medicare, but patients may still have out-of-pocket expenses depending on the chiropractor’s fees and the Medicare rebate amount.

To qualify for chiropractic care under Medicare, individuals need to consult their GP, who will assess their condition and decide whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate under a CDM plan.  Private health insurance may also cover some or all chiropractic costs, depending on the level of coverage.

For more information check out the Services Australia website.