Bill Overview
Title: Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2022
Description: 2022 This bill expands Medicare coverage of chiropractic services to include all services provided by chiropractors, rather than only subluxation corrections through manual manipulation of the spine.
Sponsors: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Target Audience
Population: People worldwide eligible for chiropractic services and either aged or disabled
Estimated Size: 68000000
- The bill specifically targets individuals who use chiropractic services.
- It focuses on expanding Medicare coverage, so it primarily impacts people who are eligible for Medicare.
- Medicare typically covers people aged 65 or older, young people with disabilities, and individuals with End-Stage Renal Disease.
- Chiropractic services are popular among the elderly for managing pain and mobility issues, indicating a substantial portion of the elderly may be affected.
Reasoning
- The policy is designed to assist a demographic that often struggles with chronic pain issues, namely the elderly and those with disabilities, making chiropractic care more accessible and affordable.
- Financially, the policy has to manage resources effectively under a large healthcare budget, suggesting a focus on optimizing costs to impact a sizable subset of the population.
- A diverse sample including those directly impacted and those not impacted will provide a broader perspective on policy effects.
Simulated Interviews
retired teacher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely on my chiropractor to manage my back pain.
- It's expensive to get the full treatments I need.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
retired engineer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 75 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I visit my chiropractor monthly for arthritis relief.
- Current expenses are a burden on my fixed income.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
office worker (St. Louis, MO)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The out-of-pocket costs make it hard to get regular chiropractic care.
- I hope this policy passes so I can afford more treatments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
retired electrician (Miami, FL)
Age: 68 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Chiropractic adjustments are the main thing that help my migraines.
- If this policy allows me more treatment options, I'm all for it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
retired nurse (New York, NY)
Age: 80 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I fear losing my balance due to osteoporosis and my chiropractor helps improve my confidence.
- The policy might allow more frequent adjustments, reducing my fall risk.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
software developer (Austin, TX)
Age: 26 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't really see how this policy affects me.
- I guess it's good for people who need those services.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
part-time retail worker (Charleston, SC)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I need more chiropractic care than what I can afford.
- This policy would mean more accessible treatment options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
retired musician (Chicago, IL)
Age: 85 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My sciatica keeps me from enjoying life, but chiropractic visits help.
- Increased coverage would improve my quality of life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
retired librarian (Albuquerque, NM)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I like staying active and chiropractic care is a part of that.
- Extended coverage helps relieve the financial burden of frequent visits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
retired postal worker (Las Vegas, NV)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's tough to manage my back pain with limited means.
- This policy could be life-changing by offering more comprehensive care.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000000 (Low: $1500000000, High: $2500000000)
Year 2: $2100000000 (Low: $1575000000, High: $2625000000)
Year 3: $2205000000 (Low: $1653750000, High: $2756250000)
Year 5: $2425500000 (Low: $1819125000, High: $3031875000)
Year 10: $3000000000 (Low: $2250000000, High: $3750000000)
Year 100: $5000000000 (Low: $3750000000, High: $6250000000)
Key Considerations
- Expanding Medicare services has the potential to improve beneficiary health outcomes and satisfaction.
- Concerns exist around the capacity of chiropractic services to handle increased patient loads under Medicare expansion.
- Possible downstream effects might include cost savings in other areas of healthcare.
- The policy may set a precedent for similar service expansions in other complementary or alternative medicine fields.