PCA Deep Dive: Medicare Stuck in 1972—The Updated Case for Chiropractic Modernization

This episode examines H.R. 539 and S. 106, the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act, and the limitations of Medicare’s current chiropractic coverage policy.

Medicare generally covers spinal manipulation but does not reimburse doctors of chiropractic for many evaluation, diagnostic, imaging, and therapeutic services they may be authorized to provide under state law. H.R. 539 and S. 106 would expand patient access to existing Medicare-covered benefits when those services fall within a chiropractor’s licensed scope. The legislation does not add new services to Medicare.

Review the legislation:H.R. 539 | S. 106

Take Action: Help Modernize Medicare

Complete the action form and ask your federal elected officials to support and advance H.R. 539 and S. 106.

Contact Your Elected Officials

Episode Chapters

00:00 — Why Medicare Matters

02:26 — The Clunking Engine Analogy

03:49 — What Medicare Covers Now

05:37 — Meet Brenda

07:30 — Fragmentation and Treatment Cascades

09:52 — The First-Door Effect

10:27 — Evidence and Outcomes

13:22 — What H.R. 539 and S. 106 Would Do

14:50 — Why the Legislation Has Not Passed

16:56 — Pennsylvania’s Advocacy Progress

18:25 — Your Advocacy Checklist

19:53 — Artificial Intelligence and the Data Trap

21:29 — Final Summary and Call to Action

The American Chiropractic Association, International Chiropractors Association, and Make America Healthy Again Chiropractic Hub have aligned around Medicare modernization. ChiroCongress is supporting the broader effort through advocacy resources and its national action campaign. Additional proposed amendments must still move through drafting, review, scoring, committee consideration, and congressional action.

PCA reports that its advocacy has helped secure support from 16 of Pennsylvania’s 17 U.S. House members. PCA continues working with Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick to build bipartisan support for S. 106.

Research and Evidence Referenced

• Whedon et al.: chiropractic care and prescription opioid use among patients with spinal pain.
• Weeks et al.: chiropractic care and healthcare costs among older Medicare patients with chronic low-back pain.
• Whedon et al.: long-term Medicare costs and adverse drug events associated with opioid and spinal-manipulative care pathways.
• Research examining access to chiropractic care and Medicare spending on spine-related conditions.
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Noninvasive Treatments for Low-Back Pain.

Contact PCA

Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association www.pennchiro.orgpca@pennchiro.org

Created and produced by Mike Barba for the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Association. AI-assisted tools were used in the production of this content. Final content was reviewed and approved by PCA.