“My research, conducted over a ten-year period utilizing clinical and cost outcomes data from one of the nation’s largest insurance underwriters, suggests that the regular utilization of chiropractic could reduce the need for hospitalization, pharmaceutical usage, and overall global health care costs by almost 50%.”
-Richard I. Sarnat, MD (2)
Providing good chiropractic coverage in your health care plans is not only an added employee benefit, but also a fiscally beneficial business decision. Chiropractic physicians provide effective, conservative care for your employees that avoids the dangers of opioid drug addiction and lengthy surgical recovery. Studies* indicate that greater chiropractic coverage, despite increased visits to a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), results in significant net savings in both direct and indirect costs. Chiropractic patients typically pay less, are more satisfied, and reach maximum improvement sooner with their treatment than a Medical Doctor’s (MD) patients.
A study by a major insurer, UnitedHealthCare/Optum, showed that one out of every four patients sought medical care for musculoskeletal conditions (ailments of the muscles or joints), and almost half of those were for spinal pain. They further stated that, “back pain is the most common physical condition for which patients visit their doctor.” The insurance company found that chiropractic care was one of the most cost effective courses of treatment available for these musculoskeletal conditions. (3, 4)
A similar BlueCross Blue Shield of Tennessee study showed that “care initiated with a [Doctor of Chiropractic] were 20% less expensive than episodes initiated with an [Medical Doctor]” when it came to the treatment of back pain. BCBS-TN Study here (5)