Chiropractic care can improve your posture and overall well-being, but it may not be easy on your wallet. That’s because an average chiropractor visit can cost $50 and $75 in the United States. While this treatment can help with pain relief and health, the costs can add up over time and turn out to be an expensive option for many people.
It’s great for your body but might stretch your budget!
However, there’s a solution that works pretty well if you qualify. Yes, we are talking about FSA. What exactly is it? Does FSA cover chiropractic care?
Let’s find that out.
What is a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?
A flexible spending account is a special type of savings account that offers tax benefits and is set up by your employer.
To explain it with an example, it’s like having a savings jar where you add money at the start of the year, and that money can only be used for medical expenses. This jar has two main benefits:
- The money you put in is not taxed.
- Your employer can also contribute to this jar, which results in some extra money for your health costs.
But if there is still some leftover money in your savings jar at the end of the year, don’t worry. The FSA gives you two options:
- You get an extra 2.5 months to use the leftover money.
- You can carry over up to 640$ to use it next year.
Now that you know what FSA is, let’s shift our focus back to chiropractic care.
What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care concerns the musculoskeletal system and focuses on the spine and other joints in the body. In this field, chiropractors, who are trained professionals, help their patients feel better by adjusting their spine and joints.
If we consider your body a house, then the spine and joints are its foundation. If these are uneven or unstable, the entire structure can develop cracks and other issues. Therefore, chiropractors help stabilize this foundation.
The Common Chiropractic Treatments
Chiropractic care offers various techniques to meet individual needs, but here are the most common ones used worldwide.
- The Diversified Technique
The diversified technique is a popular way chiropractors help people feel better. According to the American Chiropractic Association, the most commonly used technique by chiropractors is a diversified technique, with a usage rate of 95.9%. This technique has three main goals:
- Getting your spine back in line
- Fixing joint problems
- Improving movement
- Spinal Mobilization
Spinal mobilization is basically like a situation of a stuck door. Instead of forcing a stuck door, you apply gentle pressure to help it move smoothly. In this case, the chiropractor or the therapist uses gentle movements to stretch and adjust your spine, which can help reduce pain and thus make you feel more comfortable.
- The Activator Method
The AMCT is another chiropractic treatment developed by Arlan Fuhr that is a gentler alternative to traditional spinal adjustments. In 2003, about 70% of chiropractors reported using the AMCT, and nearly 24% of patients received this treatment.
This treatment uses a small, handheld device called an activator, which delivers a gentle impulse to the spine with minimal force. This activator aims to adjust the vertebrae without causing injury.
Okay, now you know the treatments, but how can you pay for them?
Can You Use FSA for Chiropractic Care?
Yes, you can use FSA to cover chiropractic care. However, it’s essential to ensure that chiropractic treatments are for medical purposes and not just general wellness because they are an integral part of a wellness routine that provides more than a solution to back pain.
Using Your FSA for Chiropractic Care
Here’s a five-step guide on how you can use your FSA for chiropractic care:
- Check for Chiropractic Coverage: First things first, check your FSA plan details to see if chiropractic care is covered. Most plans do cover it, but it’s always good to double-check.
- Get a Doctor’s Note: Secondly, get a doctor’s note. Some FSAs may require a note from your doctor stating that chiropractic care is medically necessary.
- Schedule an Appointment: Next, book your chiropractic appointment. Make sure they’re in-network with your FSA if that’s a requirement for your plan.
- Keep your Receipts: Make sure to save the receipts after your visit.
- Submit a claim: Lastly, depending on your FSA provider, you may need to submit a claim for reimbursement.
Common Chiropractic Services Covered by FSA
These are some services that are included in your FSA plan:
- Spinal Adjustments
Spinal adjustments are a common chiropractic treatment in which a chiropractor applies a controlled force to specific joints in the spine. This helps realign the spine, reduce pain, and improve mobility.
- Physical Therapy Exercises
Physical therapy exercises are movements and stretches designed to help improve your strength, flexibility, and balance.
- Acupuncture (if provided by chiropractor)
This is a treatment in which very thin needles are gently inserted into specific points on your body. It’s believed to relieve pain.
- X-rays and Diagnostic Tests
Doctors use these tools to take pictures of the inside of your body. These images help them decide what’s wrong and the best treatment for you.
Conclusion
Chiropractic care can do more than just relieve back pain. So, if you need to see a chiropractor, go ahead and use your FSA. You deserve to feel great without stressing over costs.
Flexible Spending Account for chiropractic care is totally doable and can really help ease some of those financial worries. Just remember, if you need chiropractic help, make sure it’s for medical reasons, not just for general wellness.
Following the steps mentioned above can help you make the most of your FSA. So, why wait? Go ahead and plan your chiropractic treatment without punching a hole in your pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use FSA for chiropractic?
Yes, you can use your FSA for chiropractic care. It’s a great way to help cover those costs. But always remember that your FSA needs to be set up to cover medical expenses, so make sure your chiropractic visits are considered medically necessary.
Does FSA cover chiropractic?
Yes, FSA does cover chiropractic care. Sometimes, you might need a note from your doctor to prove it necessary. But once you have that, you’re all good to use your FSA for those chiropractic visits.
