Senator Proposes Change to Medicare

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut has introduced a bill that would make major shifts to Medicare coverage for chiropractic treatment.

The Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act (SB-799) has 14 co-sponsors as lawmakers push to increase access for non-pharmacological treatments. The bipartisan bill would expand Medicare coverage to these types of treatments instead of just focusing on opioids to deal with chronic pain.

“Many Ohioans rely on chiropractic services to alleviate chronic pain,” co-sponsor Senator Sherrod Brown said in a statement. “Our legislation will improve access to the treatment older Ohioans need by expanding Medicare coverage for all chiropractic services. Seniors should be able to receive the treatment they need without being hit with unaffordable medical bills.”

While the bill would prompt some upfront costs to Medicare, which is dwindling in funding, there would likely be some long-term savings, said Michael Ryan, a finance expert and founder of michaelryanmoney.com. By getting treated early, seniors would likely avoid more expensive procedures down the road.

“This bill would broaden Medicare’s chiropractic coverage beyond just spinal manipulation,” Ryan told Newsweek. “We’re talking about a whole toolbox of non-drug treatments—from assessing joint issues in arms and legs to cutting-edge diagnostic imaging. It’s a big deal for those struggling with chronic pain and looking for alternatives to pills.”

The bill is also rare because of the bipartisan support it has garnered, Ryan said.

“This legislation is about more than just chiropractic care,” he said. “It’s about giving seniors more control over their health and their wallets. It’s about recognizing that one-size-fits-all health care doesn’t cut it anymore.”

Currently, many seniors on Medicare receive chiropractic services but are unable to get their treatments reimbursed. But Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, said it remains to be seen if other legislators fall in line with the reasoning behind the bill.

“Chiropractic services certainly help in pain relief, but so do many other services not covered by Medicare. It will be interesting how that justification is considered as the bill gets discussed,” Beene told Newsweek.

Medicare has seen a variety of new proposals for different coverage options, including online mental health services.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a proposal last week on its website that would see doctors reimbursed for the subscription and app fees for digital mental health services. If the policy is enacted, digital therapy programs would be covered if they are “in conjunction with ongoing behavioral health care treatment,” beginning in 2025.

“Simply put, it’s time,” Beene said. “We know many seniors are more tech savvy than past generations in their age group and being able to access digital mental health services can be a real difference maker depending on their situations. This would allow for more flexibility in how and when they can access these crucial services.”

While it would vary based on the service, providers could be reimbursed anywhere from $10 to $110 per patient per month.

“Mental health has historically been a challenge to get treatment under Medicare, especially for non-medication treatments,” Chris Fong, a Medicare specialist and CEO of Smile Insurance Group, told Newsweek. “This will help Medicare beneficiaries get better access and more options for their mental health treatments.”