What is health insurance with chiropractic coverage?
Health insurance with chiropractic coverage refers to an extras policy that can help cover some of the cost of chiropractic treatment from a registered chiropractor. The amount and how often you can claim depends on your level of cover and the insurance provider you choose.
Is health insurance with chiropractic coverage worth it?
Whether this type of extras policy is worth it depends on how often you use chiropractic services and your own personal circumstances. An extras policy may also give you access to other forms of general treatment that you require, such as dental, physio and optical services.
If you see a chiropractor regularly, having cover can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs—provided you meet the conditions for making a claim.
If you’re unsure whether you need chiropractic cover, consider:
- Are you an athlete or do you play sports with a high risk of injury?
- Do you work in a job that puts physical strain on your body?
- If you needed treatment, would you be comfortable covering the full cost yourself?
- Do you experience ongoing back, neck, or joint pain that may require regular care?
- Have you used chiropractic services in the past, and are you likely to continue?
It’s worth keeping in mind, though, that extras policies have limits on how much you can claim each year, so depending on your circumstances and how often you access chiropractic services, you may find it more economical to pay out of pocket than to pay for extras insurance each year.
How much can you claim for chiropractic services on health insurance?
If you have health insurance with chiropractic coverage, it can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs for visits. Depending on your policy, you may be able to claim back either a fixed dollar amount per session or a percentage of the consultation fee. Remember to check if your policy includes an annual limit.
Some policies may also include sub-limits for chiropractic care under a combined annual limit that covers multiple services, such as chiropractic, physiotherapy and podiatry. The exact amount you can claim will depend on your policy’s benefits and limits.
How to find the best health insurance with chiropractic coverage?
The best health insurance with chiropractic cover for you will depend on your own needs and circumstances. There’s no single product that’s best for everyone. The right cover depends on how often you use chiropractic services, your budget, and what other benefits you may need.
Here’s a few things to consider when comparing policies:
Annual claim limits
Most extras policies have annual claim limits, which can vary significantly between providers. Some policies group chiropractic with other therapies, such as physiotherapy or remedial massage, under a single combined limit.
In these cases, the one limit applies across all included services. If you expect to visit a chiropractor often, you may look for policies that offer higher individual limits or more generous group limits, depending on the level of cover you need.
Waiting periods
Extras policies sometimes come with waiting periods. This means you need to wait for a certain period of time, say two months, before you can claim for chiropractic services. However, some providers may waive this waiting period for new members as part of a sign-up deal. It can help to compare deals and keep an eye out for any special or limited-time offers.
Additional conditions
Different providers may have varying conditions for eligible claims. For example, a health fund may only allow you to claim if your chiropractor is recognised by the fund. Consider reading the Private Health Information Statement (PHIS) carefully before signing up to avoid any unexpected exclusions.
