Time to fight for your Medicare right

I realize that for some of you, Medicare is the last thing on your mind if you are under 58 years of age. But for many of us, it is something we need to be prepared for and to understand its importance in our healthcare. I have heard a lot of noise and a lot of debate about what is going on with Medicare.

The Chiropractic Summit, which is made up of chiropractic organizations and prominent business partners, vowed this year to grow public support to help eliminate the discrimination faced by chiropractic patients in Medicare.

Because current policy toward chiropractic services is anti-competitive, patients are channeled to other providers whose standard treatment regimen involves the use of drugs, spinal injections and surgery for a range of spinal conditions.

The services provided by doctors of chiropractic are less costly and a safer alternative for many conditions, helping patients to avoid the use of opioids and other dangerous drugs.

What we all want is equality of coverage and the ability to treat our patients in the best manner possible. You are actually penalized for being on supportive or maintenance care.

What do you think? Have you or someone you know been denied coverage? Only a limited number of procedures are covered, specifically the spinal adjustment. Any other therapy or modality is a “non-covered” item. Many other insurance companies cover these services, but Medicare does not.

We appreciate all who support us. Let me hear from you. Also, you can learn more about this issue by visiting the website of the American Chiropractic Association. You can add your name to a petition there, asking that Congress require Medicare to offer fuller chiropractic coverage.

Dr. Chester Palumbo