What Medicare covers
Medicare.gov says Part B "only covers adjustments of the spine by a chiropractor to correct a subluxation." A subluxation is when one or more spinal bones are out of position. The adjustment can be done by hand or with a small hand-held device. Your chiropractor must document the subluxation and a treatment plan in your records.
What Medicare doesn't cover
- X-rays and other tests a chiropractor orders.
- Massage therapy, heat or cold packs, ultrasound and similar treatments at a chiropractor's office.
- Acupuncture by a chiropractor (Medicare covers acupuncture only for chronic low back pain, from providers it recognizes).
- Exams, supplements and supports such as braces from the chiropractor.
- Maintenance care once your condition has stopped improving.
What you pay
After the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for each covered adjustment. Your costs also depend on whether the chiropractor accepts assignment. A Medigap policy pays part or all of the coinsurance for covered adjustments, but nothing toward services Medicare doesn't cover.
Seeing a chiropractor in Oregon
Oregon's Board of Chiropractic Examiners licenses chiropractors in the state, and Medicare pays only chiropractors who are licensed and enrolled in Medicare. Before your first visit:
- Ask whether the office is enrolled in Medicare and accepts assignment. That limits what you can be charged for covered care.
- Ask which services on your plan of care Medicare covers. Get a written price for anything else.
- Read any Advance Beneficiary Notice before you sign it. It means you may owe the full cost.
For back pain, Medicare also covers physical therapy and, for chronic low back pain, acupuncture. Medicare Advantage plans must cover chiropractic adjustments too. Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, hearing or fitness. Extra benefits vary by plan and county, may have limits and costs, and not every plan offers them. Check a plan's Summary of Benefits or Evidence of Coverage. You can request a call from a licensed insurance agent to compare plans from the companies they work with.
Related questions
Does Medicare cover acupuncture in Oregon?
Chronic low back pain only.
Does Medicare cover physical therapy in Oregon?
Therapy for pain and mobility.
Does Medicare cover naturopathic doctors in Oregon?
Oregon's licensed NDs.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Chiropractic services
- Medicare.gov — Acupuncture
- Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners
More questions in this guide
- Does Medicare cover acupuncture in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover ambulance service in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover annual physicals in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover assisted living in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover bone density tests in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover cataract surgery in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover a colonoscopy in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover CPAP machines in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover dental care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover diabetic supplies in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover flu shots in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover hearing aids in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover home health care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare pay for in-home caregivers in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover mammograms in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover me when I travel or spend winters outside Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover medical marijuana in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover memory care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover mental health care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover naturopathic doctors in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover nursing home care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover oxygen therapy in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover physical therapy in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover prostate cancer screening in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover psilocybin therapy in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover skilled nursing care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover the shingles vaccine in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover transportation to medical appointments in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover vision care in Oregon?
- Does Medicare cover wheelchairs in Oregon?
Part of the guide: Learn Medicare — the Oregon starter guide · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Will Medicare pay for X-rays my chiropractor takes?
No. Medicare.gov says Medicare doesn't cover other services or tests a chiropractor orders, including X-rays. A medical doctor can order X-rays that Part B may cover when medically necessary.
Is there a limit on chiropractic visits?
Medicare doesn't set a fixed number, but each adjustment must be medically necessary to correct a subluxation. Once your condition stops improving and care becomes maintenance, Medicare stops paying.
Can my chiropractor bill me for things Medicare won't cover?
Yes, for services Medicare never covers. For an adjustment Medicare may deny as not medically necessary, the chiropractor should give you an Advance Beneficiary Notice before treatment, so you can decide whether to go ahead.
Medicare in your Oregon county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Multnomah · Washington · Clackamas · Lane · Marion · Jackson · Deschutes · Linn · Douglas · Yamhill · Benton · Polk · Josephine · Umatilla · Klamath · Coos · Columbia · Lincoln · Clatsop · Malheur · All 36 counties →
