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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 539

Rep. Steube Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Medicare Coverage for Chiropractic Services

Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

Legislative Progress

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Senate
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Key Points

  • This bill would expand Medicare to cover all chiropractic services a chiropractor is licensed to perform in their state, not just spinal manipulation. Currently, Medicare only pays for one narrow service: manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation (misaligned joint).

    From policy text

    “only with respect to treatment by means of manual manipulation of the spine (to correct a subluxation) which he is legally authorized to perform by the State or jurisdiction in which such treatment is provided”
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  • The bill's sponsors argue Medicare chiropractic coverage is outdated and hasn't kept pace with private insurance, the VA, the Department of Defense, or federal employee health plans, all of which cover a broader range of chiropractic treatments.

    From policy text

    “the antiquated statute restricts beneficiaries to one service in a chiropractic clinic and Medicare chiropractic coverage has not kept up with private sector coverage and other Federal health delivery systems.”
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  • To qualify for expanded coverage under the new rules, chiropractors would need to complete a one-time online training webinar designed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services about proper documentation. Chiropractors who only provide traditional spinal manipulation would not need to complete this training.

    From policy text

    “such services are furnished by a doctor of chiropractic who is verified once, by a process designed by the Secretary, as attending an educational documentation webinar, or other similar electronic product, designed by the Secretary”
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  • If enacted, Medicare beneficiaries — mainly seniors 65 and older and people with disabilities — would gain access to a wider range of chiropractic care covered by their insurance, potentially reducing out-of-pocket costs for treatments like physical therapy modalities and other services chiropractors can legally provide.
  • The bill has bipartisan support, introduced by Rep. Steube with five co-sponsors from both parties, and has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Ways and Means Committee.

    From policy text

    “Mr. Steube (for himself, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Mr. Smith of Nebraska, Mr. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Ms. Van Duyne, and Mr. Davis of North Carolina) introduced the following bill”
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Healthcare

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 16, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Jan 16, 2025

Introduced in House

Related Bills

1 bill
S. 106Identical bill

Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025

Jan 16 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 539
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(155)
D: 65R: 90

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.