Medicare expands chiropractic coverage with minimal quality safeguards
S. 106 — Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025 · Filed by Kevin Cramer (R-ND) · 15 cosponsors · Introduced Jan 16, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill expands Medicare coverage for chiropractic services beyond the current restriction of one visit per patient to cover all services a chiropractor is legally authorized to perform under state law. It also requires chiropractors to complete an educational webinar to be verified as eligible providers, and aligns Medicare chiropractic benefits with coverage already available to veterans, military personnel, and federal employees.
Why we flagged it
The bill's primary function is to expand Medicare reimbursement for chiropractic services by removing visit limits and broadening the scope of covered procedures. It is a healthcare policy measure, not a commemorative or appropriations rider.
What the text implies
- The bill defines 'subluxation' (vertebral misalignment) as a treatable condition, but this concept lacks strong scientific consensus in mainstream medicine—Medicare expansion may legitimize a disputed diagnostic framework.
- The 'educational webinar' requirement is vague and delegated to HHS to design; no minimum standards, curriculum, or enforcement mechanism are specified, creating potential for rubber-stamp credentialing.
The full analysis lists 5 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
chiropractic clinics and practitioners; chiropractic professional associations; healthcare staffing/billing service providers