Fighting for insurance coverage to inspire and empower a healthier, happier world!
This summer, UnitedHealthcare announced its new policy that would deny chiropractic coverage for headache sufferers.
Not cool, UHC. Not cool.
Chiropractic spinal manipulation is used to help thousands of sufferers manage their headaches.
A common type of headache call cervicogenic headaches occur when joints and/or muscles are dysfunctional in the neck. When the joints aren’t functioning properly and the neck muscles become tight, the nerves refer the pain to the head. These headaches are almost always associated with poor posture, and can be relieved with spinal manipulations and other chiropractic adjustments.
UHC’s policy is flawed.
UnitedHealthcare decided they would no long cover chiropractic spinal manipulation for headaches because it is unproven and/or not medically necessary. But they failed to include key research in the analysis for making that conclusion.
In reality, the evidence supports the use of spinal manipulation for the treatment of headaches, with both clinical and cost benefits. Additionally, chiropractic therapy is the safer treatment option than the alternative headache treatments covered by UHC policy.
Dr. Jay to the rescue.
As an advocate for healthcare education and accessibility, it’s no surprise that our CEO and Founder Dr. Jay Greenstein stepped up to get justice for the patients and providers affiliated with UHC.
Dr. Jay, who serves on the Clinical Compass team, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the Congress of Chiropractic State Associations, organized a collaboration to get UHC to withdraw their new policy, which contradicts the evidence and unfairly impacts patients who prefer non-drug approaches to treating their headache pain.
ACA sent a letter cosigned by more than 30 chiropractic associations to UHC, defending chiropractic treatment for headaches and asking them to withdraw the changes.
Victory!
UHC decided to reverse their policy and continue providing needed coverage for patients suffering from headaches. Many thanks to UnitedHealthcare for heeding the concerns and retracting the policy updates!
We’re lucky to be in-network with most commercial insurance companies for both chiropractic and physical therapy, thanks in large part to Dr. Jay.With the work he and his comrades do, that list will continue to grow so more people will have access to the best care for their conditions.
Related Posts:
Importance of Chiropractic in Today’s Healthcare
Tension Headaches
Insurance and Payment FAQ