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Insurance and costs · October 17, 2026
Open enrollment and chiropractic: 5 things to check before you pick a plan
Medicare and HealthCare.gov enrollment windows are open this fall. If you see a chiropractor, here is what each kind of plan covers and what to ask before you choose.
Two enrollment windows run this fall. Medicare’s Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7, and HealthCare.gov opens November 1 for 2027 coverage. If you see a chiropractor, or plan to, check these five things before you pick a plan.
1. Know what Original Medicare covers
Medicare Part B covers one chiropractic service: adjustments of the spine by a chiropractor to correct a subluxation, by hand or with a device called an activator. It does not cover other services or tests a chiropractor orders, such as X-rays, massage therapy or acupuncture. After the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. Check Medicare.gov’s costs page for the 2027 amounts once they are posted.
2. Compare Medicare Advantage extras, and the network
Medicare Advantage plans must cover everything Original Medicare covers and may add extra benefits. They may also require a referral to see a specialist, and you generally need to use providers in the plan’s network for non-emergency care. If you already see a chiropractor, ask each plan whether that chiropractor is in network and whether extra chiropractic visits are included.
During Medicare’s Open Enrollment you can join, drop or switch Medicare Advantage plans, or move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Changes start January 1, and the plan must get your request by December 7. Already in a Medicare Advantage plan? You get another chance to switch plans, or return to Original Medicare, from January 1 to March 31.
3. On HealthCare.gov, read the plan details
Marketplace plans must cover 10 categories of essential health benefits. Chiropractic is not named as one of them, and the services covered in each category can vary with your state’s rules. So coverage depends on the plan: look for chiropractic in each plan’s benefit details before you choose.
4. Ask these questions before you switch
- Is chiropractic care covered, and is my chiropractor in network?
- Do I need a referral or prior approval?
- How many visits a year are covered?
- What is the copay or coinsurance, and what is the deductible?
- Are X-rays or other services covered if the chiropractor orders them?
5. Remember your HSA or FSA
IRS Publication 502 lists fees paid to a chiropractor for medical care as a medical expense, and health savings account rules use the same definition. Health FSA plans can set their own rules, so check with your plan. If you are choosing an HSA-eligible plan or setting an FSA amount for 2027, it is worth counting your chiropractic visits.
The 2026-2027 deadlines at a glance
| Who | Window | Coverage starts |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare (Open Enrollment) | October 15 to December 7 | January 1 |
| Medicare Advantage members | January 1 to March 31 | First of the month after the plan gets your request |
| HealthCare.gov plans | November 1 to December 15 | January 1 |
| HealthCare.gov plans | December 16 to January 15 | February 1 |
For more on each kind of coverage, see our guides to insurance and chiropractic, what a chiropractor costs and whether you need a referral.
Related guides
Sources
- Medicare.gov – Chiropractic services coverage
- Medicare.gov – Medicare costs
- Medicare.gov – Compare Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
- Medicare.gov – Joining a plan (enrollment periods)
- HealthCare.gov – What Marketplace plans cover
- HealthCare.gov – Dates and deadlines
- IRS Publication 502 – Medical and dental expenses
- IRS Publication 969 – HSAs and other tax-favored health plans
Published October 17, 2026 by the ChiroScience editorial team, with sources fetched in October 2026. General information, not medical, legal or insurance advice. Check with your plan before you enroll. More from the blog