By David Packer DC
- What if I have back or neck pain but I don’t know if I can afford chiropractic care?
– What if I don’t have insurance or my insurance doesn’t cover chiropractic care?
– What if I’d rather pay on my own (out-of-pocket)? How much is an evaluation going to cost me?
Many people forego care because they don’t have insurance or their insurance doesn’t cover chiropractic care. You might ask yourself, “Are there options for someone like me?” More importantly, you probably want to know if you can afford these options.
The good news is, there are several options available for people who want to benefit from chiropractic care but can’t rely on insurance to pay for it.
At Precision Spinal Care, many of our patients have been in this position. We don’t think you should have to forego treatment because you are worried about the cost of chiropractic care and don’t have an insurance plan that will cover what you need.
What are my options if I am not covered by insurance for chiropractic care?
- HSA and FSA
- What is Care Credit?
- What should I do if I have poor credit?
- What is a Discount Medical Plan?
- How and where do I sign up for these plans?
- How much will it cost if I pay out-of-pocket?
This article will explore your options and explain what you can expect to pay out-of-pocket if these options are not right for you.
Remember! You can always ask our staff for help with any of these options. Call our office with any questions. Our staff will help guide you to select the option that is best for you.
What Are HSAs and FSAs?
If you have insurance but it doesn’t cover chiropractic care, a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a great way to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for your care. Check with your insurance administrator to see which plans are offered by your company.
What Is Care Credit?
Care Credit is a credit card for medical expenses only that you sign up for at your health provider’s office.
You can apply for a Care Credit card to cover your out-of-pocket costs. Most Care Credit terms are up to 18 months interest free with no hidden fees. You can work with Care Credit to set monthly payments that fit your co-pay budget and can pay off your Care Credit card with no early pay-off penalty. There is no money down required to open Care Credit.
Are there any downsides to Care Credit?
Yes. You must make your payments on time. If you make a late payment or you do not pay off the balance before the end of the interest-free period, Care Credit will charge you for all of the deferred interest from the first date of service. The interest rate can be high.
Make sure you communicate with us if you miss a payment or if you are close to the end of your promotional period. Like with any credit card, make sure you know what you are signing up for and you can afford to pay off the card within the time allotted. It’s always important to know the pros and cons to Care Credit plans.
What if I have bad credit and don’t qualify for Care Credit?
For patients who have poor credit or no credit, Denefits is an option. Terms can be up to 18 months interest free with a $30 one-time processing fee and a 3% monthly transaction fee.
Denefits drafts a once a month agreed upon amount from your credit or debit card. No credit check is required and everyone is approved. The monthly payment is usually competitive with a normal monthly co-pay budget. The first monthly payment is needed when the treatment plan begins. You can sign up at your health provider’s office.
Are there downsides to Denefits?
Yes. As with Care Credit, you must understand the terms and conditions before you sign up. It’s crucial that you make your payments on time. Make sure you talk to us, so we can help you manage your Denefits account.
What are Discount Medical Plans?
Discount Medical Plans allows out-of-network providers to give you discounts on chiropractic services. Typically, a $49 annual fee covers you and your entire family living under the same roof for discounts for chiropractic care.
Discount savings can be quite substantial. Talk to our billing department to set up a discount medical plan that is specific to your chiropractic care with Precision Spinal Care.
Are there downsides to Discount Medical Plans?
Yes! There are multiple products labeled as discount medical plans that can be quite deceiving.
At Precision Spinal Care, we only use a very specific plan called Chiro Health USA. It is low-cost and specifically for chiropractic care. There are no hidden fees or false promises for coverage that doesn’t exist. This plan enables you to have access to discounted rates.
Don’t be fooled by plans that make false promises. Make sure you speak to our billing department to get connected to a reputable plan.
What if I want to pay out-of-pocket?
Some clients prefer not to deal with insurance and are willing to pay out of pocket to find out why they are in pain.
Initial exams at Precision Spinal Care are $20 and a set of spinal x-rays are $50. After the initial evaluation, the doctor will discuss with you the underlying causes of your pain. He also will advise you what the best course of treatment is for your situation.
If chiropractic care is the appropriate solution, he will discuss with you the cost of treatment with Precision Spinal Care. If chiropractic is not the solution, the doctor will help you find the best professional for your specific needs.
Steps to Understanding Care Credit, Denefits, and Medical Discount Plans.
- Know the questions to ask!
- What are the pros and cons of Care Credit, Denefits, and Medical Discount Plans?
- Which plan is your best option and fits best with your budget?
- Speak with our billing department to find out which payment option is best for you.
- Make sure you understand how much your care will cost and what your monthly obligation will be.
We understand that you need to explore all your options to pay for expert chiropractic care. At Precision Spinal Care we are happy to help you determine the best way to address your specific needs.
Call our office at (757) 382-5555 to set up a consultation. You can also set up an appointment through our webpage.
Your piece of mind and your spine are our first concerns!
