Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2019

Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2019

LA HEALTH SOLUTIONS – Supports this bill, because it benefits our Patients!

H.R. 3654: Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2019
Providing access to chiropractic services in Medicare removes barriers to care, levels the playing field for physicians, and supports beneficiaries.

The bill would allow Medicare beneficiaries access to the chiropractic profession’s broad-based, non-drug approach to pain management, which includes manual manipulation of the spine and extremities, evaluation and management services, diagnostic imaging and utilization of other non-drug approaches that have become an important strategy in national efforts to stem the epidemic of prescription opioid overuse and abuse.

• Access to chiropractic care is in the best interest of patients and it is a bipartisan issue. Medicare serves more than 55
  million Americans.
• Research shows annual charges for opioid prescriptions were 78% lower for patients who received
  chiropractic care.
• Musculoskeletal pain, led by spinal disorders, costs the U.S. health care system $874 billion per year and is the most
  common cause of severe long-term pain and disability.
• Positive evidence-based outcomes and cost effectiveness have advanced private chiropractic coverage and state
  licensures to meet patient needs.
• Medicare currently limits the services doctors of chiropractic (DCs) are allowed provide or order for their patients. This limitation has persisted for nearly 50 years with no scientific or valid policy basis.
• Patients face delays and higher health care costs to obtain covered Medicare chiropractic services.
• Patients could face more costly or higher-risk procedures that often are unnecessary.

Key Points of H.R. 3654:

• Provides patient access to all Medicare-covered benefits allowable under a chiropractor’s state licensure.
• Does not add any new services to Medicare.
• Fully defines a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) as a “physician” in the Medicare program.
• Requires that DCs complete a documentation webinar.
• Is bipartisan legislation, introduced by Reps. Brian Higgins (0-N.V.) and Tom Reed (R-N.V.).

ACTION NEEDED
Members of the House of Representatives are urged to support their Medicare beneficiaries by cosponsoring H.R. 3654.