Talk to anyone about how much their health insurance is costing them and what coverage they are getting for the cost. Majority of us know that medical care is not cheap. Besides the premiums being high, we have to worry about deductibles and co-pays. According to Blue Cross, for a routine wellness check the cost can be anywhere from $160-$330, depending on age. Now for an adult office visit for common illnesses or conditions, such as lower back pain, sinus infection, sore throat, etc. can cost $130-$180 per visit, for children the cost is $115-160 per visit. Usually when you go to a medical doctor, they usually prescribe medication for your condition.
Many prescriptions are to ease pain that you are experiencing and those can become addictive. Painkillers do not fix the underlying problem that is the cause of the pain in the first place. What happens is you get temporary relief from the pain and then after a while the pain returns, you go back to the doctor, you get back on pain medication and the cycle continues. You end up on a merry-go-round with medical care. According to the New York Times premiums, co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses have gone up considerably over the past few years.
A Chiropractor is more cost-effective than medical care
Now, look at chiropractic cost. The average cost of an adjustment is $65 per visit. Each visit could range from $34 to $106, depending on where you live. If x-rays are necessary, the cost can range from $44 to $159. Chiropractors sometime offer discounts for initial visits because their goal is to help you get relief from the pain you are experiencing AND they want to fix what is causing the problem. Chiropractic care is not a “quick-fix” to your pain it will take some time but in the end, the cause of the pain will be treated.
Most health insurance plans cover some level of chiropractic care. Like medical expenses, chiropractic care expenses are tax-deductible. Many chiropractic offices accept insurance and have payment plans available.
A study done in 2007 compared costs to patients using chiropractors as their primary care physicians to medical doctor care. This study involved 70,000 member-months spanning a seven-year period. The results of the study showed that “hospital admissions were decreased by 60.2%, cost of days spent in the hospital were decreased by 59%, outpatient surgeries decreased by 62%, and prescription drug costs decreased by 85% compared to conventional medically driven care.”
Insurance providers and medical doctors are recognizing the benefit of chiropractic care is beneficial and cost-effective in treatment of neck and low back pain. If you have never gone to a chiropractor then it is time to check out the care you get from chiropractic care. Next time you need to see a doctor, consider your personal goals for a healthy body and your wallet and go to a chiropractor. You will find out that a chiropractor can treat more than just neck and back pain.