As summer comes to a close (despite the still-nice weather), the transition to fall comes with sports — softball, flag football, golf (for a couple more months hopefully) and basketball. Considering fellow Lincoln Parkers, and Chicagoans who continue to remain active, injuries can occur from overtraining and overuse of the body, dependent on the sport/activity that calls you.  If an injury occurs, you’ll likely be researching who can treat your injury best while trying to understand the cost of care (whether using insurance or not).  Many injuries can be treated successfully at a chiropractor’s office that are far beyond your typical neck/back pain.  In Chicago, the cost of visiting a chiropractor varies due to a variety of factors (do they take insurance? what are the fees with/without insurance? proximity to home?). This post will help you better understand what to anticipate when deciding to visit a chiropractor.

Costs can vary not only from the initial consultation and examination, but also treatment.  Some offices offer several services, including rehab, nutritional supplements, chiropractic manipulation, soft tissue work, and/or massage as part of their office and these services all factor in the cost.  Some Lincoln Park chiropractic offices offer a discounted program, where an office can offer a legal discount to a patient, by having them join a DMPO (discounted medical provider organization) for chiropractic care as a result of injuries suffered (ChiroHealth USA for example is 1 DMPO, but there are 2-3 others currently).  This DMPO allows one to save money on their care so they can get the care they need at a fraction of paying out of pocket.

Costs using the DMPO for an exam in my office, in the heart of Lincoln Park, are the following:

1. $75 or $100 depending on the complexity of one’s case (having multiple injuries, chronic injuries, surgeries, etc…); these rates offer a true snapshot for Lincoln Park, though fees can still vary between clinics.
2. Subsequent visits for treatment can range from $35-65 per visit, depending on what services are performed.
3. X-rays (if needed ) ranges from $25-45, depending on the body region and the number of X-rays needed for that particular injury.

Cost Without Insurance/Decision not to sign up for a DMPO:

Not using your insurance due to a lack of coverage or if have poor coverage through your insurance can create substantially higher costs for patients who choose to seek care for their injuries

1. Average consultation ranges between $125-$190 for an initial exam
2. Treatment ranges from $85-$165, depending on what is performed.

This creates a situation where it will be quite difficult for a patient due to the cost for care of an injury (or injuries) they are currently experiencing.

Costs Using Your Insurance:

If the chiropractic office you are considering accepts and is in-network with your insurance (it is important to know that all offices take your insurance, but they may not be in-network unless you researched this ahead of your potential 1st visit, or asked them to verify your coverage when calling the office).  Once this is done, the office has to provide a GFE (Good Faith Estimate) of your chiropractic care.

• If your insurance is going to cover the cost of chiropractic treatment (once verified by the office), the cost will range based on your coverage
• Cost for the patient varies based on the insurance one has as all insurance companies allow different amounts for the same services provided (Cigna allows $42-44 per visit; United Health Care allows $60 per visit; Aetna allows $39.15 up to $81.99 per visit; and finally, Blue Cross Blue Shield allows $57.30-$125.66 per visit)
• Insurances have chiropractic coverage that range from 50-90%, depending on the plan (meaning you will pay as little as 10% or as much as 50%) based on the allowed amounts of the insurance carrier

This outlines the costs and differences of one seeking chiropractic care in Lincoln Park.  It is important for you to ask as many questions as you feel comfortable before deciding on the right office.  Because you are investing in your health, you want to find the right chiropractor that not only meets the needs of helping you, but makes chiropractic care affordable so you can move and feel better quickly!

Brian Marion, DC, ART, CCSP, SFMA, CKTP

Lincoln Park Chiropractic 2202 N. Lincoln Ave Suite 1 Chicago, IL 60614

https://lincolnparkchiropractic.com (773) 248-2790