Are the costs for a chiropractic treatment covered by health insurance?
May 23, 2024 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Bernd Ziegler
Dear Doctor,
My name is Dennis Ullmann and I have been suffering from severe back pain in the lumbar spine area for a long time. These pains significantly affect my daily life and I have already tried various treatment methods without experiencing any noticeable improvement. Based on recommendations from people around me, I have now researched chiropractic therapy and am very interested in such treatment.
However, I am unsure whether the costs for chiropractic treatment will be covered by my health insurance. As I already have high financial burdens from my previous therapies, it is important for me to know whether I will have to bear the costs of chiropractic therapy myself or if I can receive a reimbursement from my health insurance.
I am worried that I may not be able to afford further treatment financially if it is not covered by my health insurance. Therefore, it would be very helpful for me if you could provide me with information on whether the costs of chiropractic treatment are covered by health insurance and what requirements need to be met.
Thank you in advance for your support and advice.
Sincerely,
Dennis Ullmann
Dear Dennis Ullmann,
Thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise in the field of chiropractic therapy. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from severe lower back pain and have not experienced any noticeable improvement through other treatment methods. It is understandable that you are concerned about the financial burden that chiropractic treatment could bring. I would be happy to provide you with detailed information on this matter.
Chiropractic therapy is generally recognized as a method of manual medicine and is offered by many health insurance companies in Germany as a covered service. This means that the costs of chiropractic treatments are usually covered by statutory health insurance, provided certain conditions are met.
To receive coverage, a prescription from a physician is typically required. This can be issued by a general practitioner, orthopedist, or another specialist who confirms the need for chiropractic treatment for your symptoms. Additionally, it is important that the treating chiropractor has additional qualification in chiropractic therapy and is a contracted physician with statutory health insurance.
Before starting chiropractic treatment, it is advisable to contact your health insurance company to inquire about whether and under what conditions the costs will be covered. Insurance companies often require a cost plan or a medical justification for the treatment. It may also be necessary to obtain approval from the insurance company before the treatment can begin.
If your health insurance does not cover the costs of chiropractic therapy, there is the option to take out a private supplementary insurance policy that covers the costs of alternative healing methods such as chiropractic therapy. You should also inquire with your health insurance company about this option.
I hope this information helps you gain clarity on the coverage of chiropractic treatment costs. If you have any further questions or require further guidance, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Bernd Ziegler
