As the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act (H.R. 2654) continues to gather bipartisan co-sponsors (currently at 130 and counting as of press time), identical legislation has now been introduced into the Senate: S.B. 4042.
The Senate version of the legislation is also bipartisan, sponsored by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), with Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) lending their support as original co-sponsors.
"Chiropractors can provide patients with a wide range of health care services, but current restrictions under Medicare prevent them from offering seniors a full scope of treatments or ordering diagnostic services. This is particularly an issue in rural areas. Our bill, the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act, provides care options from chiropractors for Medicare patients suffering from back or neck pain, and ensures they can receive the care they need."
Added Sen. Wicker: "Chiropractic services can make a world of difference for patients suffering from chronic pain. I am glad to join this bipartisan effort to expand access and improve flexibility for Medicare patients who want an alternative to narcotics for pain management."
With chiropractic care within Medicare currently limited to a single service (manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation), the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act would amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to allow Medicare patients to receive (and doctors of chiropractic to be reimbursed for) "all physicians' services furnished by doctors of chiropractic within the scope of their license." For complete details, click here.
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