Have you been dealing with nagging back pain, neck stiffness, or other aches that just won’t go away?
You’re not alone. Millions of people suffer from chronic pain and many turn to chiropractors for relief.
But before you book your first appointment, you’re probably wondering: how much is this going to cost me?
The truth is, that chiropractic care can get pricey, especially if you need ongoing treatment. But don’t let that scare you off! There are ways to manage the costs, whether you have insurance or not.
How Much Does a Chiropractor Cost With and Without Insurance?
In this article, we’ll break down the typical costs of seeing a chiropractor, what insurance usually covers, and some alternative payment options if you’re uninsured.
By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of what to expect financially so you can focus on feeling better.
Let’s dive in!
How Much Do Chiropractors Charge Overall?
First, let’s look at the big picture. How much does chiropractic treatment cost in total?
Well, it depends on your specific needs, but here’s a general breakdown of the potential expenses:
| Factors | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Initial Consultation Fee | $60 – $200 |
| Treatment Sessions (standard) | $65 – $95 per session |
| Intensive Therapy (e.g. spinal decompression) | $100 – $250 per session |
| Adjustment Fee (for manual adjustments) | $50 – $150 |
| X-rays | $100 – $300 |
| MRI Scans | $250 – $500 |
| Specialized Therapy (electrical stim, laser, etc) | $150 – $300+ |
| Follow-up Visits | $40 – $100 |
| Nutritional Counseling & Other Extras | Varies |
As you can see, the costs can add up quickly, especially if you need multiple sessions per week.
Most patients need around 3-5 visits to see ideal results. So throughout treatment, you could be looking at anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand bucks out of pocket. Ouch!
But wait, what if you have insurance? Won’t that cover most of it?
Let’s take a look…
Chiropractic Costs With Insurance
The good news is, that many insurance plans do cover at least some chiropractic care. The not-so-good news? It’s often limited.
Typically, insurance will cover 40-80% of the cost for services they deem “medically necessary,” like basic adjustments for pain relief.
But you can expect to pay the full price for anything they consider elective or complementary.
Here’s an estimated breakdown comparing costs with insurance vs. without:
| Treatment Type | Cost With Insurance (per session) | Cost Without Insurance (per session) |
|---|---|---|
| Massage Therapy | $15 – $40 | $30 – $80 |
| Manual Adjustment | $25 – $45 | $50 – $100 |
| Spinal Adjustment | $20 – $40 (if 40-80% covered) | $100 – $200 |
| Electrotherapy/Shockwave | $30 – $60 | $30 – $180 |
| Ultrasound | $15 – $35 | $45 – $75 |
| Cold Laser Therapy | Usually not covered | $70 – $100 |
| Traction | $20 – $35 | $60 – $95 |
| Nutrition Counseling | May or may not be covered | $50 – $110 |
So as you can see, having insurance can help lower your out-of-pocket costs for standard treatments. But you’ll likely still have to pay a decent chunk of change, especially for more specialized therapies.
It’s also important to note that not all chiropractors accept insurance. Some have a cash-only policy.
So be sure to ask about insurance coverage and payment options before committing to a provider.
The Average Cost of Chiropractic Care Without Insurance in USA 2024:
Now let’s say you don’t have insurance that covers chiropractic, or your provider doesn’t accept your plan. How much can you expect to pay?
If you’re going 5 times per week, every week, for a month of treatment, the costs can range from $800 on the very low end up to $4000 or more. Yikes! And that’s not even counting any specialized treatments you might need on top of the standard adjustments.
The actual costs can also vary quite a bit depending on where you live.
Check out this table of average prices per session in major U.S. cities:
| City | Average Cost Per Session |
|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | $150.55 |
| Austin, TX | $37.18 |
| Baltimore, MD | $107.15 |
| Boston, MA | $80.88 |
| Charlotte, NC | $70.25 |
| Chicago, IL | $81.45 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $85.20 |
| Cleveland, OH | $90.53 |
| Columbus, OH | $69.23 |
| Dallas, TX | $127.80 |
| Denver, CO | $42.60 |
| Houston, TX | $216.25 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $53.25 |
| Kansas City, MO | $47.93 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $47.93 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $213.00 |
| Louisville, KY | $79.88 |
| Memphis, TN | $63.90 |
| Miami, FL | $133.13 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $90.53 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $90.53 |
| Nashville, TN | $79.88 |
| New Orleans, LA | $90.53 |
| New York, NY | $138.45 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $63.90 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $37.18 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $85.20 |
| Portland, OR | $63.90 |
| Raleigh, NC | $69.23 |
| Richmond, VA | $53.25 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $58.58 |
| San Diego, CA | $106.50 |
| San Francisco, CA | $138.45 |
| San Jose, CA | $106.50 |
| Seattle, WA | $133.13 |
| St. Louis, MO | $69.23 |
| Tampa, FL | $90.53 |
| Washington, DC | $106.50 |
Keep in mind, these are averages from 2023. Your actual costs may be higher or lower. Always consult directly with a chiropractor for a personalized quote!
Affording Chiropractic Care Without Insurance
Okay, so what if those prices make your eyes pop out of your head a bit? Don’t panic. There are some alternatives to help make chiropractic care more affordable, even without insurance:
- Payment plans: Nowadays, many providers offer payment plans so you can spread out the cost over time in smaller chunks. They often partner with outside companies that specialize in healthcare financing, like Denefits for instance. With a payment plan, you pay in monthly installments that fit your budget better than a giant lump sum. Usually, there’s no credit check required. Ask your chiropractor if they have payment plan options!
- Package deals: Some chiropractors offer package deals or subscriptions for uninsured patients to help lower the per-session cost. For instance, you might pay $900 upfront for a year’s worth of treatment at a discount compared to the pay-as-you-go price. The packages usually include a set number of sessions, X-rays, and adjustments. Not a bad option if you know you’ll need a lot of visits!
- Medical credit cards: Another route is to use a medical credit card like CareCredit to finance your treatments. They’re kind of like regular credit cards but only for health-related expenses. You can often get promotional 0% interest periods. But watch out – you usually need a credit score of at least 620 to qualify, and the interest rates after the promo can be sky-high. Read the fine print closely and have a solid payback plan before signing up.
The Bottom Line:
At the end of the day, chiropractic care can be a great drug-free way to manage pain and improve your quality of life. But there’s no denying it takes a decent financial investment, especially without insurance.
The key is to talk openly with your chiropractor about costs and payment options before starting treatment. Don’t be shy! Ask for a breakdown of all the expected charges and if they offer any discounts or payment plans for self-pay patients. See if you can get on a monthly plan that works for your budget.
And remember, while quality chiropractic care is certainly valuable, don’t bankrupt yourself for it. Your financial health matters too. Start with the most essential treatments first and add on extras later if you have the means.
Above all, stay positive! With the right provider and a little creative budgeting, you can get the care you need to feel your best without breaking the bank. Here’s to your health!
Frequently Asked Chiropractic Cost Questions
Still have questions? Let’s finish up with some quick FAQs:
- How much is a typical chiropractor session?
On average, expect to pay between $75 to $300 per visit, depending on what’s included (exam, X-rays, adjustments, etc). The cost largely depends on your treatment needs and location.
- Do all chiropractors accept insurance?
No, some chiropractors are cash-only. But many do accept insurance for medically necessary care! Coverage varies a lot by plan though. Always double check yours.
- How much does insurance usually cover for chiropractic?
If your plan includes chiropractic benefits, expect them to cover 40-80% of the cost for covered services after you meet your deductible. You’ll likely owe a copay or coinsurance (percentage) for each visit. Anything deemed elective usually isn’t covered.
- Can I finance my chiropractic care with a medical credit card?
Most chiropractic offices do accept medical credit cards like CareCredit, yes. Just be aware that they usually require a credit check and a good credit score to qualify. Interest rates can also be quite high if you don’t pay it off fast enough!
- What’s the most affordable way to pay for chiropractic care without insurance?
In our opinion, opting for an in-house payment plan or membership package is usually the most accessible and affordable self-pay option, especially if you need a lot of sessions. Many providers partner with financing programs like Denefits that offer instant approval, reasonable APRs, and customizable terms. Ask yours!
Source:
- https://www.quora.com/How-much-do-chiropractors-typically-charge-for-their-services-and-what-factors-can-influence-the-cost
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4615617/
Conclusion:
So there you have it! The complete rundown on chiropractic costs.
We hope this guide helps you feel more prepared and empowered to get the care you need without stressing over money.
Remember, your health is priceless – but there are always ways to make it work on a budget. Good luck!
