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beansideSo, Jess posted about this in her journal, but I thought I'd ask you all, too.
Here's the thing. We both started Chiropractic care around the same time, about six months ago. At that time, I was classified as a "stage four," meaning permanent damage, but they could minimize the pain. I was paying out of pocket, and concerned about expenses. At that time, they told me that it would be approximately 8 weeks of 3 times a week, then it would start to taper down. After about seven weeks, I mentioned it to my doctor, and that it wasn't helping during a visit. He checked me over and told me to stop because he was concerned about the adjustments shifting the bones around too much, and causing potential paralysis.
Jess, who has insurance, was classified as a "stage one." That's the lowest level. Her treatments weren't outlined as clearly, and here we are six months later, and she's still going 3 times a week. I haven't seen a whole lot of improvement, really. And now that she has her own electric muscle stimulator, that's one part of the treatment that's kinda redundant.
So, the question is: Does that sound like the doctor is taking advantage of a patient's "unlimited visits" insurance or not?
Here's the thing. We both started Chiropractic care around the same time, about six months ago. At that time, I was classified as a "stage four," meaning permanent damage, but they could minimize the pain. I was paying out of pocket, and concerned about expenses. At that time, they told me that it would be approximately 8 weeks of 3 times a week, then it would start to taper down. After about seven weeks, I mentioned it to my doctor, and that it wasn't helping during a visit. He checked me over and told me to stop because he was concerned about the adjustments shifting the bones around too much, and causing potential paralysis.
Jess, who has insurance, was classified as a "stage one." That's the lowest level. Her treatments weren't outlined as clearly, and here we are six months later, and she's still going 3 times a week. I haven't seen a whole lot of improvement, really. And now that she has her own electric muscle stimulator, that's one part of the treatment that's kinda redundant.
So, the question is: Does that sound like the doctor is taking advantage of a patient's "unlimited visits" insurance or not?
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no subject
Date: 2008-06-07 07:31 pm (UTC)I can tell you that many years ago I worked for a health insurance company, and the perception in the industry was that chiropractors ripped off patients and insurance companies by prolonging treatments indefinitely, for years. That's why insurance companies tend to regulate chiropractic care very strictly.
The chiropractors seem to get people "hooked" on the necessity for treatments, such that patients start paying out of their own pocket when the insurance refuses to cover anymore. I saw people paying about $400 a month for chiro out of their own pockets; this was many years ago too, in less inflated dollars.
I had chiropractic for a neck strain, and I ended the treatment myself (to the displeasure of the chiropractor) when I felt good. The chiropractor never gave me an end date or any indication that I was making progress.
I would like to suggest that a good licensed massage therapist or acupuncturist could help in lieu of a chiropractor; also, your physician may be able to get you authorization for physical therapy.