Jamison has discussed the preventive aspect of maintenance care when it includes conditions other than musculoskeletal. She points out that some chiropractors believe subluxations cause various problems and can correct spinal adjustments ranging from pain to more subtle endocrine, visceral, and autonomic dysfunction, and warns that this scientifically untested theory may cause significant negative impact in science and medicine has communities. When chiropractors believe spinal health equals good health, it’s generally understandable that they’re trying to persuade patients to take regular preventative chiropractic treatments. Jamison discusses this in a second article where she also mentions the negative effects of such a practice.
It could also be that overzealous use of maintenance care has led to problems with various reimbursement systems, as Mitchell warned back in 1980. The short-term financial gains of some individuals could be seen as negative long-term effects on the entire profession. Preventive care offers the same benefits for your body. Taking time to visit the chiropractor when you feel well can help you avoid pain, illness, and the aggravation of chronic conditions.
Patients’ opinions and expectations regarding maintenance care and their satisfaction with maintenance care have apparently not been investigated. Nonetheless, conservation measures appear to be used frequently and, if it is a useful model of preventive treatment, it should be recognized as such. However, if it’s ineffective, it shouldn’t be part of the chiropractic patient management strategy. Since most insurance companies only provide care for medically necessary treatment, maintenance care is not considered covered and is therefore not payable. Although the concept of maintenance care appears to be firmly embedded in the chiropractor profession, the frequency of its use has not been clearly described.
Insurance coverage is often offered when care is part of an active treatment plan, meaning that you are being cared for to treat a specific injury and that treatment is currently improving your condition and symptoms. Chiropractors generally agreed in a North American study by Rupert that the purposes of maintenance treatment are to minimize recurrence or aggravation, maintain or optimize health status, prevent the development of conditions, prevent incurable conditions to palliative treatment and to determine and treat subluxations (all statements with over 80% agreement). These beliefs are underpinned by the results of Rupert’s study, in which 40% of chiropractic respondents believe there is adequate research to support the concept of maintenance care. Another benefit of regular chiropractic care is reducing anxiety, as adjustments help calm your body’s response to stress.
Chiropractors urge you to consider that prevention is as important as acute care, especially if you’re looking for long-term wellness. Another option for those whose insurance does not fully cover chiropractic care is the additional insurance coverage that can be claimed in addition to current healthcare. Research has shown that regular chiropractic care benefits your immune system and helps you ward off coughs and colds. A little preventative chiropractic care could keep you away from the surgeon’s office in the first place.
However, a state’s benchmark plan could include chiropractic care, even if the state doesn’t require it.
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References:
- Is Chiropractic Care Considered Preventive? – Advanced Chiropractic Spine & Sports Medicine
- Are visits to the chiropractor or physical therapist covered under the Affordable Care Act? | healthinsurance.org
