H.R. 539 would let Medicare cover the full range of basic chiropractic care for seniors. Here is why the bill matters and how to urge Congress to pass it.
And why limit this to Chiropractic care? There is an acupuncture for seniors act in Congress which has been languishing in committee for lack of support.
I am a 79 yo retired nurse and massage therapist! Acupuncture and massage and chiropractors are my first line of defense for pain and or relief of body stiffness! No medications! Pharmaceuticals are too expensive and have too many side effects!
HR 539, Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025, doesn't do much of what you've written about here. That would be HR 4204, the Chiropractic Patient Choice Act.
Many pain medications only complicate and create more health issues. Chiropractic is so much healthier and can solve or at least help one cope with pain without taking more drugs. Obviously, the pharmaceutical companies are going to fight against this. I sincerely hope and pray Common Sense wins out over Greed.
Chiropractic helped my daughter cope for many years with the pain she experienced after two serious auto accidents. However, she was never given nutrition counseling, which would have helped the adjustments hold. Her diet was not good...and ligaments need nutrients in order to hold. Without nutrients in one's food, adjustments won't hold. In addition, many foods can cause pain, if an accident has not been the cause.. I got rid of intense pain and joint problems by eliminating grains and nightshades.
Although its true that Chiropractors advertise their services for a variety of "pain" syndromes the truth is different. Normalizing joint function by restorative adjustments
is often useful to prevent the pain from ever occurring. That is the way forward.
In Chinese medicine, a doctor is paid for healthy people, not paid for sickness.
Chiropractors aren't the only Medicare-enrolled providers that can't accept outside cash from their Medicare patients. Neither can anesthetists, audiologists, physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, etc.
You just want them to be able to sell snake oil for cash to the same patients they're already milking Medicare for.
Unfortunately, Naturopathic physicians (ND's ) are nowhere to be seen on the federal landscape. In addition, for some seemingly arbitrary reason, ND's have been downgraded by the board of education. We've been licensed as "professionals" for decades.
However, ND's and several other professions have now been downgraded such that we are no longer deemed "professionals" in the eyes of the board of ed. Chiropractors have kept their professional status, but not ND's. This will make getting federals loans for new ND's to be educated near impossible.
Yes, it would be great if chiropractors were covered for seniors - for sure. But truth be told, ALL the alternative licensed providers should be legitimized so patients have choice. This should be true for our troops too - who now have tricare which is incredibly anemic access. All of my current tricare patients have to pay out of pocket. Often, their current care is ineffective, while Naturopathic and acupuncture can actually initiate healing.
So yes, we need federal recognition for Chiropractors, ND's, Acupuncturist's and any other licensed providers - be they alternative/complementary or conventional. We ALL need access to sane health care choices. Folks that are content with conventional - cool - enjoy that road. Folks that are looking for alternatives should enjoy the same privileges.
That's how they roll in Switzerland. Patients there can see MD's, ND's, Homeopaths, chiro's acupuncturists,etc. Their government pays for them to see any of the above. That is undoubtedly how the "greatest country in the world" should roll too.
This should apply to any protocol a person chooses. Referrals by a MD or NP should not be necessary. Your ND or DC or yourself should be enough. Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Naturopathic practice, TCM, should all be covered without question. Must topple the Pharma/Medical/Hospital/Insurance complex...
For what it’s worth - I went to chiropractor every 2 weeks for 10 years because of an incessant injury. Physical therapy fixed it in 2 visits, never went back to chiropractor again. Medicare Chiropractor costs can really add up
Why limit this to seniors? Chiropractic care should be covered for everyone from infants to seniors. Chiropractic care is beneficial for all age groups and has proven to be a preventative measure in overall health. Insurance carriers don't cover it because it will eliminate the need for most other services.
Medicare is for 65 and older people. The question is, whether "insurance" is the way forward. Where it exists, it determines the care given. That has resulted in a marked
I followed your directions to look up the bill on the legislative tracker and it goes to an item anout red food dye - not chiropractic care. Please correct!
While related, I was hoping to get some advice for possible next steps for a current dilemma. After chasing misdiagnosis and mistreatment for decades I recently was able to place my troubles within the field of dysautonomia (thanks to in depth AI conversations). Living in a county of over 550k people and a medical community that provides services across 3 states, there are no resources available to diagnose or treat my condition (regardless of my insurance). But I found a clinic in Idaho (an hour away) that does so. The problem, according to my insurance (aside from getting out of network approval) is that the clinic is run by a practitioner who, in spite of his other certifications, is primarily designated as a Chiropractor. Insurance is applying chiropractor rules to his services, even through they are neurological tests and treatments. I don't even have the option to appeal anything because instead of denying the referral, they dismissed it - no path for appeal. Thoughts?
Ironically, after all these years of being dismissed and pretending it was 'all in my head', I got test results today and it actually IS all in my head! My midbrain isn't signalling correctly, creating a constant state of alert in my autonomic nervous system. But getting a proper diagnosis isn't afforded me as part of my care under insurance.
It would be about time! Instead of paying for illegals, give Americans what they need-seniors and younger!
And why limit this to Chiropractic care? There is an acupuncture for seniors act in Congress which has been languishing in committee for lack of support.
I am a 79 yo retired nurse and massage therapist! Acupuncture and massage and chiropractors are my first line of defense for pain and or relief of body stiffness! No medications! Pharmaceuticals are too expensive and have too many side effects!
HR 539, Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025, doesn't do much of what you've written about here. That would be HR 4204, the Chiropractic Patient Choice Act.
I’ll look that one up!
I put that in and got the same banner, No bills with that number
Into what? Look beyond this guy's sloppy website. Just search it.
You want chiropractors reimbursed with public funds for practice far beyond their scope, all the way to kwokery.
Many pain medications only complicate and create more health issues. Chiropractic is so much healthier and can solve or at least help one cope with pain without taking more drugs. Obviously, the pharmaceutical companies are going to fight against this. I sincerely hope and pray Common Sense wins out over Greed.
Chiropractic helped my daughter cope for many years with the pain she experienced after two serious auto accidents. However, she was never given nutrition counseling, which would have helped the adjustments hold. Her diet was not good...and ligaments need nutrients in order to hold. Without nutrients in one's food, adjustments won't hold. In addition, many foods can cause pain, if an accident has not been the cause.. I got rid of intense pain and joint problems by eliminating grains and nightshades.
Although its true that Chiropractors advertise their services for a variety of "pain" syndromes the truth is different. Normalizing joint function by restorative adjustments
is often useful to prevent the pain from ever occurring. That is the way forward.
In Chinese medicine, a doctor is paid for healthy people, not paid for sickness.
They have that concept correct.
Chiropractors aren't the only Medicare-enrolled providers that can't accept outside cash from their Medicare patients. Neither can anesthetists, audiologists, physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, etc.
You just want them to be able to sell snake oil for cash to the same patients they're already milking Medicare for.
Unfortunately, Naturopathic physicians (ND's ) are nowhere to be seen on the federal landscape. In addition, for some seemingly arbitrary reason, ND's have been downgraded by the board of education. We've been licensed as "professionals" for decades.
However, ND's and several other professions have now been downgraded such that we are no longer deemed "professionals" in the eyes of the board of ed. Chiropractors have kept their professional status, but not ND's. This will make getting federals loans for new ND's to be educated near impossible.
Yes, it would be great if chiropractors were covered for seniors - for sure. But truth be told, ALL the alternative licensed providers should be legitimized so patients have choice. This should be true for our troops too - who now have tricare which is incredibly anemic access. All of my current tricare patients have to pay out of pocket. Often, their current care is ineffective, while Naturopathic and acupuncture can actually initiate healing.
So yes, we need federal recognition for Chiropractors, ND's, Acupuncturist's and any other licensed providers - be they alternative/complementary or conventional. We ALL need access to sane health care choices. Folks that are content with conventional - cool - enjoy that road. Folks that are looking for alternatives should enjoy the same privileges.
That's how they roll in Switzerland. Patients there can see MD's, ND's, Homeopaths, chiro's acupuncturists,etc. Their government pays for them to see any of the above. That is undoubtedly how the "greatest country in the world" should roll too.
Peace
100%
This should apply to any protocol a person chooses. Referrals by a MD or NP should not be necessary. Your ND or DC or yourself should be enough. Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Naturopathic practice, TCM, should all be covered without question. Must topple the Pharma/Medical/Hospital/Insurance complex...
Yes!
For what it’s worth - I went to chiropractor every 2 weeks for 10 years because of an incessant injury. Physical therapy fixed it in 2 visits, never went back to chiropractor again. Medicare Chiropractor costs can really add up
Why limit this to seniors? Chiropractic care should be covered for everyone from infants to seniors. Chiropractic care is beneficial for all age groups and has proven to be a preventative measure in overall health. Insurance carriers don't cover it because it will eliminate the need for most other services.
Medicare is for 65 and older people. The question is, whether "insurance" is the way forward. Where it exists, it determines the care given. That has resulted in a marked
decrease in quality of care.
I followed your directions to look up the bill on the legislative tracker and it goes to an item anout red food dye - not chiropractic care. Please correct!
Anyone who goes to a chiropractor, is likely not going to an M.D. or E.R. which charges way more than a chiropractor.
Different scenarios. ER is self explanatory. Medical Doctors are useful for surgeries and infections...
This needs o happen!
typed it in came back red dye?? bill
While related, I was hoping to get some advice for possible next steps for a current dilemma. After chasing misdiagnosis and mistreatment for decades I recently was able to place my troubles within the field of dysautonomia (thanks to in depth AI conversations). Living in a county of over 550k people and a medical community that provides services across 3 states, there are no resources available to diagnose or treat my condition (regardless of my insurance). But I found a clinic in Idaho (an hour away) that does so. The problem, according to my insurance (aside from getting out of network approval) is that the clinic is run by a practitioner who, in spite of his other certifications, is primarily designated as a Chiropractor. Insurance is applying chiropractor rules to his services, even through they are neurological tests and treatments. I don't even have the option to appeal anything because instead of denying the referral, they dismissed it - no path for appeal. Thoughts?
Ironically, after all these years of being dismissed and pretending it was 'all in my head', I got test results today and it actually IS all in my head! My midbrain isn't signalling correctly, creating a constant state of alert in my autonomic nervous system. But getting a proper diagnosis isn't afforded me as part of my care under insurance.
I followed the directions , and got this :No bills found matching "HB 539"