Now Is the Time to Act on Medicare Modernization
For more than 50 years, Medicare beneficiaries have been denied the same freedom to choose and obtain reimbursement for comprehensive care from a chiropractic physician that they receive from other qualified providers. Today, the profession has one of its strongest opportunities in a generation to correct that inequity, but this moment will matter only if we act.
Chiropractic physicians across Illinois have a time-sensitive opportunity to help move Medicare modernization forward by securing reimbursement for all covered procedures within their scope, just as other Medicare providers are reimbursed. The profession has reached a level of national cooperation that has been difficult to achieve in the past, and that widespread support creates real momentum. Members should act now by visiting www.ilchiro.org/bettermedicare and contacting their members of Congress in support of H.R. 539, the Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act.
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Do not stop with your own message. Encourage your staff, colleagues, and patients to take action as well. The strength of this effort will depend on Congress hearing clearly and repeatedly from the people directly affected by Medicare’s outdated restrictions.
Quick Action and Information
Who Supports this from Illinois
Active Your Patient Base:
- Download Patient Flyer 1
- Download Patient Flyer 2
- Better Medicare Social Media Image 1
- Better Medicare Social Media Image 2
- Better Medicare Social Media Image 3
- Better Medicare Social Media Image 4
Why This Moment Is Different
The American Chiropractic Association and the International Chiropractors Association have announced a shared commitment to work together to improve patient access to chiropractic care. That collaboration has expanded into broader coordination around Medicare modernization, with national organizations, professional leaders, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders focusing their efforts on advancing H.R. 539.
ACA and ICA are also working with an influential Washington, D.C. organization that has significant influence in federal health policy discussions, including matters involving the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Its participation brings additional visibility, relationships, and advocacy resources to an issue the profession has worked on for decades.
This level of cooperation is significant. Although chiropractic organizations have not always agreed on every policy issue, the profession’s leading voices are now working toward a shared goal: correcting Medicare’s limited treatment of chiropractic services and expanding appropriate patient access.
NCMIC, the nation’s largest provider of chiropractic malpractice insurance, described this collaboration as a “historical milestone for our profession.” In a message to stakeholders, NCMIC Chief Experience Officer Chick Herbert also encouraged chiropractic physicians to contact their representatives in support of H.R. 539, emphasizing that action now can maximize the profession’s collective impact.
The Illinois Chiropractic Society has been directly engaged in these national conversations. The ICS executive director attended meetings in Washington, D.C. in both March and June with representatives from ACA, ICA, the influential Washington organization, and chiropractic leaders from across the country. These discussions reinforced the importance of a coordinated and sustained effort.
This Is About Patient Choice and Fair Coverage
Congress added chiropractic care to Medicare in 1972, but coverage remains limited to manipulation of the spine. Other services that may be necessary to evaluate and manage a patient’s care are not covered when provided by a chiropractic physician, even when similar services may be reimbursed when performed by other provider groups.
H.R. 539 seeks to modernize that outdated framework.
This issue is not about partisan politics. It is about ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries can choose their provider and receive appropriate coverage for services within that provider’s authorized scope of practice. Chiropractic physicians should not be placed at a disadvantage simply because Medicare has failed to update a policy established more than five decades ago.
Patients should not have to navigate inconsistent coverage based solely on the type of qualified provider they choose. Medicare modernization would move the system toward greater fairness, improved access, and more meaningful patient choice.
Illinois Support Is Already Bipartisan
Support for H.R. 539 among members of the Illinois congressional delegation already crosses party lines. Current Illinois House cosponsors include:
- Rep. Darin LaHood
- Rep. Mike Bost
- Rep. Bradley Schneider
- Rep. Eric Sorensen
- Rep. Mary Miller
- Rep. Jan Schakowsky
- Rep. Jonathan Jackson
This bipartisan support demonstrates that Medicare modernization is not tied to one political party or ideology. It is a healthcare access issue that can bring lawmakers together.
However, additional support is still needed. Members of Congress who have not yet cosponsored the bill need to hear from chiropractic physicians, patients, and constituents in their districts.
Take Action and Involve Your Patients
The Illinois Chiropractic Society is wholly committed to working with national organizations, congressional leaders, and other key stakeholders to advance this legislation. That organizational work is essential, but direct constituent advocacy remains one of the most powerful tools available.
Visit www.ilchiro.org/bettermedicare to contact your federal lawmakers and ask them to cosponsor and support H.R. 539.
Then expand the effort throughout your practice:
- Ask your staff to take action.
- Share the campaign with chiropractic colleagues.
- Encourage patients and community members to contact Congress.
- Use the ICS patient flyers and social media graphics to spread the message.
Patient Handouts
ICS has prepared two patient flyers that chiropractic physicians can download, print, and distribute in their offices:
Place copies at the front desk, include them with patient materials, and hand them directly to patients who want to support expanded Medicare access. These ready-to-use resources can help patients understand the issue and take action without requiring practices to create their own educational materials.
Practices can also use the following social media graphics to encourage patients, colleagues, and community members to participate:
Better Medicare Social Media Image 1
Better Medicare Social Media Image 2
Better Medicare Social Media Image 3
Better Medicare Social Media Image 4
The Opportunity Is Here
The profession has broad national alignment. The bill has bipartisan support. Major chiropractic organizations, advocacy leaders, malpractice stakeholders, and state associations are working toward the same objective.
What has been missing is not the need for reform. What has been missing is the unified force required to move it forward. That force is now taking shape, and Illinois chiropractic physicians must be part of it.
Now is the time to turn widespread support into congressional action.
Please visit www.ilchiro.org/bettermedicare, contact your lawmakers, and ask your patients and colleagues to do the same. A strong and coordinated response from Illinois can help demonstrate that Medicare modernization is both necessary and overdue.
