Are x-rays, exams, or therapies done by chiropractors covered under Medicare?

Question

Terri Reagin · Accepted Answer

Yes these procedures are covered  under your Part B coverage. There can be limitations and exclusions, so be sure to refer to your evidence of coverage document.

Charise Karjala · Answer

So the question is, are x-rays, exams, or therapies done by chiropractors covered under original Medicare? And the answer is no, except for in one very narrow situation. That is, manual manipulation of the spine by a licensed chiropractor is approved to correct a subluxation or a misalignment. However, the only covered service from a chiropractor under original Medicare is a spinal adjustment. So the x-rays and any other therapies or pills, those all have to be prescribed by a primary care physician, a relevant orthopedist, or an osteopath. So that helps.

Jonathan Potter · Answer

Coverage under just Medicare only covers for the subluxation of the spine and that is it. Other services will not be covered at a chiropractor. With Medicare advantage they do have some coverage for those type of procedures.

Answered by Jonathan Potter on September 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in UT, AZ, CA & 14 other states

Answered by Jonathan Potter Medicare Insurance Agent

David Wynne · Answer

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may offer extra chiropractic benefits beyond what Original Medicare covers, but it varies by plan. Some Advantage plans include limited coverage for chiropractic therapy or additional visits, while others do not. You must check each plan’s summary of benefits to know for sure.

Medicare covers spinal adjustments only — not X-rays, exams, or therapies from chiropractors.

Travis Harmon · Answer

Medicare only covers chiropractic care for manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation, and it does not cover routine exams, x-rays, massage, or other therapies provided by chiropractors. Any additional tests or treatments would need to be paid out of pocket or through other coverage you may have.

Answered by Travis Harmon on September 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in OR, AL, AZ & 6 other states

Answered by Travis Harmon Medicare Insurance Agent

Andrew Zurbuch, MBA · Answer

No, usually they are uncovered. A Medicare Advantage plan would be a good choice for coverage. It depends on your residence State what choices you have. Please check with a Broker. Thank you.

Plans are insured or covered by a Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO and PFFS) organization with a Medicare contract and/or a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Chris Vari · Answer

Services that are medically necessary would be covered under Medicare, and that the provider is authorized to provide those services

Fred Manas · Answer

No, Medicare does not cover most services performed or ordered by chiropractors, including X-rays, exams, and therapies like massage or exercise therapy. Medicare Part B only covers medically necessary manual spinal manipulation to correct a subluxation. Any other services, including any X-rays or therapies the chiropractor recommends, are generally not covered and will be your financial responsibility.

Answered by Fred Manas on September 29, 2025

Agent Licensed in NY, CT, DC & 7 other states

Answered by Fred Manas Medicare Insurance Agent

Meghan Blankenship · Answer

Medicare only covers one specific chiropractic service: manual manipulation of the spine to correct a vertebral subluxation. X-rays, exams, and other therapies ordered or performed by chiropractors are not covered.

Answered by Meghan Blankenship on November 15, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, MD & OH

Answered by Meghan Blankenship Medicare Insurance Agent

Suzanne Lamperti · Answer

Yes, Medicare does cover a person's Chiropractic care. You are still responsible for the 20% though.

Julie Thompson · Answer

Yes, Medicare Part B covers chiropractic services but with limited coverage.

Part B covers the manual manipulation, also called an adjustment, of the spine when it’s considered medically necessary to correct a subluxation. Medicare advantage plans as well as some med supplement plans also have additional benefits available, i.e. acupuncture but they may limit how many visits you can get per year.

Angela Wainright · Answer

Not if ordered by a Chiropractor. The order would have to come from a medical doctor, then it might be covered. Medicare only covers the chiropractic spinal adjustment itself, nothing else chiropractors generally do.

Answered by Angela Wainright on September 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in MN, AZ & ND

Answered by Angela Wainright Medicare Insurance Agent

Martha Lopez-Elkind · Answer

X-rays, exams, or therapies can be ordered by medical providers who are working with Medicare meaning, they are Medicare providers who work under Medicare and get paid by Medicare.

Michael Reardon · Answer

Great question — this is a common source of confusion with Medicare coverage.

Here’s exactly how it works for chiropractic care under Medicare Part B:

⸻

🦴 What Medicare does cover

Medicare only covers one specific chiropractic service:

Manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation (a misalignment of the vertebrae).

That’s it.
If the chiropractor is performing this spinal adjustment and you have a diagnosed subluxation, Medicare Part B will help pay for it — as long as the provider is Medicare-approved.

✅ What’s included
	•	The spinal adjustment itself
	•	Documentation of medical necessity (the chiropractor must note a subluxation on X-ray or by physical exam)
	•	You typically pay 20% coinsurance after your Part B deductible

⸻

🚫 What Medicare does NOT cover

Medicare does not pay for any other services provided by a chiropractor, even if performed during the same visit:

Terri Curcio · Answer

These services can be limited when completed by a chiropractors; for more details concerning the coverage the certificate of coverage should be reviewed.

Chase Strickland · Answer

Yes, x-rays, exams, and therapies done by chiropractors are covered under Medicare. Chiropractors are considered specialists, and these basic services, like x-rays and exams by a doctor, specialist, the Urgent Care or ER, are typically covered by Medicare.

Answered by Chase Strickland on November 3, 2025

Agent Licensed in MI, AL, AR & 12 other states

Answered by Chase Strickland Medicare Insurance Agent

Bridget Shanks · Answer

Usually medicare only covers the manipulation of the spine when it comes to chiropractic care.

Are x-rays, exams, or therapies done by chiropractors covered under Medicare?

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Are x-rays, exams, or therapies done by chiropractors covered under Medicare?

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