What a chiropractor costs when you pay without insurance

Why we cannot give you one price

A chiropractor is a health professional who treats problems of the muscles, bones and joints, most often in the back and neck. Many people look up the cost because they want to know what a back problem will do to their budget. We looked for a national price from a government agency, a research group or a large health system. We did not find a source we could trust, so this page gives no dollar range.

Many websites list an average price for chiropractic care. We cannot tell where those numbers come from, and a made-up average can lead you to expect the wrong bill. A better plan is to learn what moves the price and then ask each office for its own numbers.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, gives the same advice. Its page on spinal manipulation says to ask a chiropractor about typical out-of-pocket costs and how many sessions you will need before you start. Spinal manipulation is a technique where a practitioner uses their hands or a device to apply a controlled push to a joint of the spine.

What changes the price of a chiropractor visit

Every office sets its own prices, so two offices in the same town can charge very different amounts. The list below covers the parts of the bill to ask about.

• The first visit often includes an exam and a review of your health history, so it may cost more than later visits.
• Every follow-up visit has its own price, and some offices charge more when they add other treatments such as massage or heat.
• X-rays or other tests, if the office takes them, are usually charged on top of the visit.
• Some offices sell a package of visits at a set price, and the package may cost less per visit than paying one at a time.
• Products sold at the office, such as supplements and braces, are separate costs.

The number of visits is often the biggest factor. Even a low price per visit adds up over several weeks. Ask the chiropractor how many visits they expect you to need and what happens if you need more. You can also ask what the plan is if you do not feel better. Those questions are about your own care, so the answers have to come from the chiropractor who has examined you.

Does Medicare cover a chiropractor?

Medicare is the federal health plan for people 65 and older and some younger people with disabilities. Medicare.gov says Part B covers spinal adjustments that a chiropractor makes to correct a subluxation. A subluxation is a joint of the spine that is out of position. The chiropractor must use their hands or a small device for the adjustment.

Medicare does not pay for other services or tests that a chiropractor orders, such as X-rays, massage therapy or acupuncture. After you meet the Part B deductible, you pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount. If you have Medicare, call the office before the visit and ask what Medicare will treat as covered. This page is for people who pay without insurance, and the Medicare rules are here only so you know where they end.

Other ways to get help with back or neck pain

You may not need to start with a chiropractor. A primary care doctor can examine you, rule out problems that need urgent attention and talk about your choices. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says that chiropractors give most spinal manipulation. It adds that osteopathic physicians and physical therapists also use the technique. Our guide on the cost of physical therapy covers one of those choices.

If you do not have a regular doctor, a direct primary care practice is one low-cost way to get one. It is a membership where you pay a flat monthly fee, which is usually $50 to $200 a month. It is not insurance, so a chiropractor's bill or an imaging test is a separate cost. You can search for a cash-pay doctor near you and ask the office how it handles back pain.

A community health center charges on a sliding scale based on your income. Our guide on community health centers explains how to find one. When you call, check whether the center can see you for back or neck pain.

A nearby school that trains health professionals may run a clinic open to the public. We could not find a national list of these clinics, so a phone call is the only way to learn whether one exists near you. If one does, find out what the visit costs and who will treat you.

Getting a price before you book

You have the right to ask about cost before you agree to care. The short script below works well on the phone.

1. Say, "I do not have insurance, so what is your self-pay price for a first visit?"
2. Find out what the first visit includes, such as an exam and any X-rays.
3. Ask for the price of a follow-up visit, and ask whether the office offers packages of visits.
4. Ask how many visits the office usually suggests for a problem like yours.
5. Check whether there is a discount for paying in full, and ask for the quote in writing.

Our guide on asking for the cash price has more wording you can borrow. Each office sets its own price, so you can compare two or three of them before you book.

Contact a doctor right away if back pain follows a bad fall or blow, or comes with a fever. Also call right away for loss of control of your bladder or bowels, or new weakness or numbness in your legs. MedlinePlus lists these as reasons to get care right away. This page is general information and is not medical advice. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing or another emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER. In an emergency, do not wait to compare prices.