Does Medicare cover acupuncture and chiropractic care?

Acupuncture

Medicare covers acupuncture, including dry needling, only for chronic low back pain, meaning pain that:

• Has lasted 12 weeks or longer,
• Has no known cause (for example, it isn't from cancer that has spread or an infectious or inflammatory disease), and
• Isn't related to surgery or pregnancy.

• Up to 12 visits in 90 days.
• If you're improving, 8 more, for up to 20 treatments in 12 months. If you aren't improving, Medicare stops covering them.
• The Part B deductible and coinsurance apply.
• Not every provider can bill Medicare for it: Medicare can't pay licensed acupuncturists directly. Ask before you book.

Chiropractic care

Medicare covers only spinal adjustments to correct a subluxation (when spinal joints don't move properly but are still in contact), done by hand or with a device called an activator. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the deductible. That's the only chiropractic service Medicare covers.

Other options

• Physical therapy is covered when medically necessary. See therapy coverage.
• For chronic pain, Medicare also covers monthly pain management services. See chronic care management.
• Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits beyond Original Medicare; check the plan.