Elimination of Chiropractic Costs Illinois Millions More

Elimination of Chiropractic Costs Illinois Millions More

This past July the budget cuts for the State of Illinois went into effect cutting a grant total of one half of one percent of the budget.  Among these cuts was the elimination of adult coverage for certain Medicaid services among which was chiropractic care.

This morning an adult Medicaid patient came to my office that I had been treating on and off over the years for a chronic low back condition aggrevated by lifting.  He reported that since Medicaid did not pay the $8.67 fee (actually costs State $4.34 since half is paid by federal goverenent)  for chiropractic treatment, he went to his MD where it would pay.

The MD did an exam, took a series of x-rays, did an MRI, gave him some drugs, and sent him to physical therapy.  After treatments and diagnostics costing the Medicaid system well in excess of $1,000, the man reported in his case it did him little good. He decided to come back to us and pay out of his pocket for a treatment he knows works for his low back condition.

Let me see now.  How much did the State of Illinois save for treatment of this man's low back condition by eliminating chiropractic services? If my math is correct, the State paid over a 100 times more for this man's care. Is this an isolated case? No, it happens scores of times every day in offices throughout the State.

I am not bemoaning the fact that our practice no longer receives the $8.63 office visit from Medicaid patients.  Believe me, this small amount makes little difference in our bottom line. I do bemoan the fact that the legislature is apparently more concerned about making cuts to look good rather than actually cutting the programs that save money.

In 2011, 19,861 Medicaid patients used the chiropractic option.  Since passage of the new law July 1, the State will pay an additional $4,500,000 just for the first day of treatment for a Medicaid patient medically.  Millions more will be paid for ongoing visits.

Is this crazy or what?  I suppose millions mean nothing to lawmakers. No wonder we are in such debt.

Dr. Don Selvidge

   

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