January 16, 2025
Mr. Cramer (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Daines, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Moran, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Rounds, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. Hoeven, and Mr. Coons) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for all physicians’ services furnished by doctors of chiropractic within the scope of their license, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Findings; Statement of purpose
(a) Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1)
In 1972, coverage was established under the Medicare program for beneficiaries to receive chiropractic care.
(2)
Unfortunately, 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.
(3)
Today, due to positive evidence-based outcomes and cost effectiveness of the services provided by doctors of chiropractic, private coverage for chiropractic services has evolved and State licensure for chiropractors has advanced to meet patient needs and health outcomes.
(4)
This Act would bring Medicare chiropractic coverage more in line with that provided with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, and private health insurance coverage.
(b) Purpose
It is the purpose of this Act to expand recognition and coverage of a doctor of chiropractic as a physician
under the Medicare program in connection with the performance of any function or action, including current service of manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation
, as is legally authorized by the State in which such doctor performs such function or action.
Sec. 3. Providing Medicare coverage for all physicians’ services furnished by doctors of chiropractic within the scope of their license
(a) In general
Section 1861(r)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(r)(5)) is amended by striking a chiropractor who is licensed as such by the State (or in a State which does not license chiropractors as such, is legally authorized to perform the services of a chiropractor in the jurisdiction in which he performs such services), and who meets uniform minimum standards promulgated by the Secretary, but only for the purpose of sections 1861(s)(1) and 1861(s)(2)(A) and 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
and inserting a doctor of chiropractic who is licensed as a doctor of chiropractic or a chiropractor by the State in which the function or action is performed and whose license provides legal authorization to perform such function or action in such State or in the jurisdiction in which the function or action is performed
.
(b) Certain coverage limits
Section 1833 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(ee) Limitation on payment of services provided by certain doctors of chiropractic
Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, in the case of services of a doctor of chiropractic described in section 1861(r)(5), payment may only be made under this part for such services if—
(1)
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 or an updated modified version of such webinar, as designed by the Secretary; or
(2)
such services are treatment by means of manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation.