Research shows initiating low back pain care with a chiropractor saves 40% on healthcare costs compared to starting with a medical doctor. Learn what this means for you.
Low back pain is a significant public health problem. Fifty percent of working Americans have back pain each year. In addition to its negative effects on employee productivity, back pain treatment accounts for some $134 billion in annual health care costs — making it one of the top 10 most costly conditions treated in the United States.
Chiropractic Care Saves 40% on Low Back Pain Costs
A study featuring data from 85,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield beneficiaries finds that low back pain care initiated with a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) saves 40 percent on health care costs when compared with care initiated through a medical doctor (MD). The study concludes that insurance companies that restrict access to chiropractic care for low back pain treatment may inadvertently pay more for care than they would if they removed such restrictions.
The study looked at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee's intermediate and large group, fully insured population over a two-year span. The insured study population had open access to MDs and DCs through self-referral, and there were no limits applied to the number of visits allowed.
What the Results Mean for You
Results show that paid costs for episodes of care initiated by a DC were almost 40 percent less than care initiated through an MD. Researchers estimated that allowing DC-initiated episodes of care would have led to an annual cost savings of $2.3 million for BCBS of Tennessee. "As Doctor of Chiropractic, we know firsthand that our care often helps patients avoid or reduce more costly interventions such as drugs and surgery," said ACA President Rick McMichael, DC.
If you or someone you know is experiencing low back pain, schedule an appointment today to see how Acacia Chiropractic Clinic can help. Call us at (803) 412-2240 or book your appointment online.
