Is Chiropractic Care Always Covered by Workers Comp?
- Posted on: Jul 29 2019
If you’ve been injured at work, you may want to see a chiropractor in order to get some relief from the pain. Chiropractic care can help realign your back, decrease or eliminate pain, and improve your range of motion. It’s also a great alternative to medication and surgery, something many people look for. But will your workers comp cover a chiropractor? Many people are hesitant to try chiropractic care because they’re worried workers comp won’t cover the treatment since it’s not traditional medical care.
Chiropractor Care Is Covered
However, chiropractic care is covered by workers’ compensation. If your employer has authorized you to seek medical treatment for your injury, you can visit a chiropractor without worry for a specific number of visits. The number of covered visits does vary from state to state, so it’s important to know what your specific state dictates. After that, you may need to fill out additional paperwork or have your chiropractor submit forms stating the need for continued treatment.
Even if these additional visits aren’t covered by your case, you can continue to see the chiropractor. You will, though, have to cover the costs yourself. Your employer cannot tell you to stop visiting the chiropractor or any other medical professional. Your employer also cannot require you to visit a specific chiropractor. Even with on-the-job injuries, you still retain the right to visit the medical care providers of your choice.
What About Extended Care?
Many people who make use of chiropractic care do need regular readjustments or treatments in order to remain pain-free. Unfortunately, you may find that you cannot have your workers comp claim continue to pay for this care forever. Many states simply don’t allow for that in order to prevent people from abusing the workers comp system. However, most patients do receive significant relief from the treatments that are covered.
Many chiropractors will work with employees who need additional treatments beyond what workers comp will pay for. In many cases, your medical insurance may also cover some or all of your chiropractic care. This, like many other parts of your healthcare coverage, greatly varies between insurance providers, so you’ll need to check if you have coverage or not.
If you do need chiropractic care in New York for your on-the-job injury, Maximum Orthopedics is here to help. Contact us today to make an appointment.
Posted in: Blog, Orthopedics, Work Injuries, Workers Compensation Benefits