Aside from the worry of being injured, many people also find themselves worrying about the cost of care for their injuries.
The cost of a chiropractor after a car accident is not a cut-and-dried situation.
In this guide, we will provide clarity on the factors that affect the cost of seeing a chiropractor after a car accident and who or what entity is responsible for those costs.
Table of Contents
- How Much Does a Chiropractor Generally Cost?
- How Are Chiropractor Rates Determined in Oregon?
- Who Pays for a Chiropractor After an Accident?
- What Medical Care Is Covered After an Auto Accident?
- Post-Car Accident Chiropractor Cost FAQs
- Get the Treatment You Need to Fully Recover at Cascade Spine and Injury
How Much Does a Chiropractor Generally Cost?
When it comes to the cost of a chiropractor after a car accident, there is no standard, concrete answer.
The cost of a chiropractor after a car accident can vary depending on a number of factors, such as:
- Qualification/Experience
- Location
- Your Lifestyle
- Severity or Extent of Your Injury
Let’s take an in-depth look at these cost factors.
Qualification/Experience
Like most professions, experience and qualifications can impact the cost of chiropractic care.
While all chiropractors must meet basic criteria to obtain a license to practice, some chiropractors may continue their education beyond these requirements and earn other specialized certifications.
For example, Dr. McClaren is a licensed chiropractic physician in the state of Oregon, but also has additional certifications such as being an Accredited Accident Reconstructionist and obtaining a certification in Spinal Biomechanical Engineering along with extensive post-doctoral training focused on treating traumatic injuries.
These accreditations go above and beyond the basic requirements of providing chiropractic care and ensure patients that they are receiving top-of-the-line treatment from an experienced hand.
If you are looking for chiropractic care after an accident in Portland, contact Cascade Spine & Injury Center to schedule an appointment today.
Location
Where you live or are seeking treatment can also play a role in the cost of a chiropractor after a car accident.
If you live in an affluent area with a high cost of living and many chiropractic clinics to choose from, you can expect a higher cost than if you were seeking treatment from a rural area with only one or two clinic options available.
In addition, varying locations have different laws when it comes to determining who is responsible for paying your chiropractor bill after a car accident.
Your Lifestyle
The cost of chiropractic care can also depend on your lifestyle and overall attitude towards your health.
If you are a health-conscious person who adheres to your chiropractor’s recommendations for rehabilitation, the cost of your chiropractic care may be less than someone who is less vigilant about their well-being and requires more visits to recover from their injury.
Severity or Extent of Your Injury
The severity of your injury can play a huge role in the cost of your chiropractic care.
Severe injuries may require more:
- Chiropractic visits
- Tests such as MRI scanning; and
- Services such as rehabilitation and massage therapy
When people are in car accidents, it is not uncommon for them to sustain injury to multiple body parts. Requiring multiple types of treatment for different injuries will certainly impact the cost of your chiropractic bill.
How Are Chiropractor Rates Determined in Oregon?
In Oregon, chiropractors do not have a say in the cost of medical fees and rates.
Medical fees, including those incurred by chiropractic care, are set by the state’s Workers Compensation Fee Schedule.
Who Pays for a Chiropractor After an Accident?
After the shock of being in a car accident and being injured wears off, the first question most people have is, “Who is paying for all of this?”
Some states, like Oregon, require drivers to have mandatory Personal Injury Protection (PIP). Your PIP will pay up to a certain amount of costs for medical care regardless of fault.
If you live in a state that does not require PIP, you or your private insurance company will be required to pay for your medical expenses, including chiropractic care. If the other driver was at fault for the accident they or their insurance company would be liable for reimbursing your medical expenses.
What Medical Care Is Covered After an Auto Accident in Portland?
In Portland, PIP provides up to $15,000 of coverage for each person in the vehicle, regardless of fault.
This coverage includes all necessary medical care, including:
- Chiropractic visits
- Labs and screenings
- Surgery referrals
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- And more
What Happens if Someone Doesn’t Have PIP Coverage in Portland?
In most cases, most Portland drivers will have PIP insurance. However, there are some outliers.
For example, the insurance that cab drivers get through their company doesn’t provide PIP coverage.
At Cascade Spine and Injury Center, we work closely with patients who do not have PIP. We can accept out-of-pocket costs in cash and also work with private insurances.
If you are currently waiting for a claim to be settled in court, your attorney can notify our office and we will hold all billing until your case is settled, regardless of how much time it takes.
Post-Car Accident Chiropractor Cost FAQs
For many, the cost of chiropractic care after a car accident can be a concern. To ease your worries, we will go over a few commonly asked questions about the cost of a chiropractor after a car accident.
What Is the Average Cost of a Chiropractor After a Car Accident?
The average cost of a chiropractor session for a car accident injury can range from approximately $63 and up.
The cost of chiropractic care can vary depending on:
- Types of screening/treatments needed
- The number of sessions needed
- Your location
- And more
How Can I Prove to My Insurance That Medical Coverage Is Necessary?
When it comes to filing a claim for medical care caused by a car accident, it is very important to seek medical care as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to prove to your insurance company that your injury was caused by the car accident and should be covered.
To prove to your insurance company that medical coverage is necessary, be sure to collect the following documents:
- Initial symptoms report
- Records of all of your treatments, including chiropractic treatments
- Records of all expenses related to chiropractic treatments and other medical expenses
How Much Coverage Will I Receive for Chiropractic Care?
The amount of insurance coverage you will receive depends on your insurance provider or the coverage amount from PIP if your state offers or mandates it.
In Oregon, those protected by PIP can expect up to $15,000 covered cost in medical expenses for each person involved in the car accident.
Can You Receive Discounted Chiropractic Care?
If you have little to no insurance, a great way to keep the cost of a chiropractor after a car accident low is to check if your clinic is a member of ChiroHealthUSA.
ChiroHealthUSA is a discount medical plan that can reduce the cost of your chiropractic care in participating clinics.
At Cascade Spine & Injury Center, we are members of ChiroHealthUSA. To learn more, contact us.
What Is the Best Way to Cut Costs on Your Chiropractor Bill After a Car Accident?
The best way to cut costs on your chiropractor bill after a car accident is to seek treatment as soon as possible.
The longer you wait to treat an injury, the more serious it can become. Some injuries can become permanent chronic conditions that can impact your health and wallet for years to come.
The best thing to do for your health and medical expenses is to not delay when it comes to treatment and risk making matters worse.
Get the Treatment You Need to Fully Recover at Cascade Spine and Injury
If you’re looking for chiropractic care after a car accident in Portland, we can help whether you have insurance or not.
Our injury treatment center accepts a wide variety of insurances, including:
- Auto Insurance/PIP/MedPay
- Worker’s Compensation
- ChiroHealthUSE Discount Program
- Providence
- Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- Premera Blue Cross
- Aetna
- Cigna
- United Healthcare
- First Choice Health Network
If you don’t see your insurance on the list, please call us and we will provide free insurance verification. Sometimes insurers can go by different names, so we can verify over the phone if an insurance company is in our network.
If you do not have insurance, we are happy to work with you to figure out a plan for payment or hold payments until you reach a settlement.Contact us today to learn all about your payment options and set up an initial consultation for your car accident injury.
FAQs
How many times should you see a chiropractor after a car accident? ›
It's not uncommon for your chiropractor to want to see you three to five times per week immediately after your injury. But once your pain and symptoms are under control, that will drop to two to three times per week, and then to once a week.
How long should you treat with a chiropractor after an accident? ›Your condition's severity will determine how long you should see a chiropractor after a car accident injury. You may be able to resolve your ailment within your first few appointments. In other cases, you may need to see a chiropractor regularly for a few months.
Is it good to see a chiropractor after an accident? ›Even if you're experiencing no pain, it's still a good idea to see a chiropractor after your car accident. Many car accident injuries don't cause pain or discomfort until weeks or months later.
How long should you see a chiropractor for whiplash? ›Length of Treatment
Average recovery from whiplash can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months, with periodic visits to a chiropractor throughout that time.
Chiropractic treatment helps to relieve the neck pain associated with whiplash, by realigning your spine and improving the movement in your neck. Treating a whiplash injury promptly with chiropractic care helps to prevent any long-term problems from developing, such as chronic pain, arthritis, migraines and headaches.
How long do the benefits of a chiropractic adjustment last? ›Over time, your joints and muscles will get used to their new normal and adjustments won't be as urgent. At Oviedo Chiropractic, we generally recommend that you return for an adjustment every 3-4 weeks. You may have noticed that this is far less than the frequency recommended by other chiropractors.
Does pain come back after chiropractor? ›The simple answer to this is yes. It's very normal to feel sore after a chiropractic adjustment. Nonetheless, the reason you're feeling sore is unique for every person. To better understand why you may be sore, check out the following reasons explaining soreness after an adjustment below!
What do chiropractors do after a car accident? ›Chiropractors use a variety of tools and techniques to realign individual vertebrae and restore joint flexibility after a car accident. Benefits of spinal manipulation and other services offered by doctors of chiropractic include decreased inflammation and pain, restored range of motion and reduced scar tissue.
How many visits do you need at chiropractor? ›To achieve maximum benefits, most injury and pain types will need somewhere between four and twelve sessions. Ongoing maintenance is used to prevent pain from coming back and to prevent additional injuries from forming due to a misalignment of the spine.
When should you not see chiropractor? ›When Not To See A Chiropractor. Patients with herniated or slipped discs and those with arthritis may need advice from specialist physicians before seeing a chiropractor. If there is a physical abnormality or injury in your body, such as a fracture, chiropractic care may not be for you.
Why does my lower back hurt after a car accident? ›
In addition to injuries to the joints and bones of your spine, car crashes can cause the ligaments, tendons, and muscles of your back to stretch beyond their normal range. If you have a back strain, you may experience low back pain, as well as spasms.
What should you not do after seeing a chiropractor? ›Keep this alignment intact by not doing any quick or jerky movements following your adjustment, and not doing any heavy lifting or strenuous activities. Because your body needs to relearn how to be in the correct position, be mindful of your movements for the next day or so.
How long does whiplash compensation take? ›How long will a whiplash claim take? Most whiplash claims are settled within a 6 month period, however this is dependent upon a number of different factors including: Liability being accepted by the third party insurers. The medical prognosis and expected recovery time.
Does whiplash get progressively worse? ›If those changes are not corrected through proper pain management treatment, the discomfort will persist and can worsen over time. Reported symptoms of whiplash include: Pain and stiffness in the upper or lower back, neck, or shoulders.
Does whiplash completely heal? ›Most people who have whiplash feel better within a few weeks and don't seem to have any lasting effects from the injury. However, some people continue to have pain for several months or years after the injury occurred. It is difficult to predict how each person with whiplash may recover.
How does a doctor test for whiplash? ›Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
This imaging test uses radio waves and a magnetic field to produce detailed 3D images. In addition to bone injuries, MRI scans can detect some soft tissue injuries, such as damage to the spinal cord, disks or ligaments.
Avoid lifting, sports, or other activities that might strain your neck. Try sleeping on a special neck pillow. Place it under your neck, not under your head. Placing a tightly rolled-up towel under your neck while you sleep will also work.
Is it OK to massage whiplash? ›Massage is an effective treatment for increasing mobility and flexibility following whiplash injury. By following proper massage therapy techniques for a whiplash injury, the patient will experience less pain and will continue to heal.
What are the risks of chiropractic adjustment? ›Serious complications associated with chiropractic adjustment are overall rare, but may include: A herniated disk or a worsening of an existing disk herniation. Compression of nerves in the lower spinal column. A certain type of stroke after neck manipulation.
Are chiropractic adjustments worth it? ›There are several benefits of a chiropractic adjustment including: Helps minimize migraines and neck-related headaches. Improves your posture. Reduces pain and improves range of motion of your spine and other joints.
What happens to your body after a chiropractic adjustment? ›
Mild Aching or Soreness
This is the most common side effect of a chiropractic adjustment, accounting for roughly two-thirds of all reactions. Aching joints or sore muscles, especially in the treatment area, may occur within the first few hours post-treatment and should last no longer than 24 hours.
Depending on the extent of the spinal injury, patients typically feel a reduction in pain of 40-80% following their first visit. However, general improvement occurs within 1 to 4 weeks from the start of chiropractic therapy.
Is it normal to hurt worse after chiropractic adjustment? ›It's not uncommon for patients to leave a chiropractic visit feeling sore or sometimes may even feel worse than when they came in. If this has happened to you, don't panic! This is one of the normal potential side effects of visiting the chiropractor.
How long does it take a chiropractor to realign your back? ›Chiropractic appointments, and the time it takes to realign your spine through a chiropractic adjustment, tend to be quite short for the most part. Appointments typically range from 15-45 minutes. Because your first chiropractic appointment will involve a full needs assessment, expect to be there for around 45 minutes.
How long does it take nerves to heal after car accident? ›The pain after a car accident can last weeks, months, or even years depending on the severity of the injuries suffered.
How do you get rid of back pain after a car accident? ›Anti-inflammatory medications such as prescription-strength ibuprofen, Mobic, or Celebrex can be used to decrease swelling and tissue inflammation after injury. Muscle spasms medications such as Flexeril, baclofen, and tizanidine can help to improve range of motion and help improve sleep after sustaining a back injury.
How much is a chiropractic adjustment? ›Chiropractic adjustment cost varies depending on your location, your reason for care, your provider and your treatment plan. It varies widely and can range anywhere from $30 to $300 a visit. Chiropractic care is covered by many health insurance providers.
What to expect after first chiropractic adjustment? ›Reactions following a chiropractic adjustment vary greatly from person to person. These may range from a great sense of exhilaration immediately following the adjustment, to a feeling of aching and soreness. The most common reaction to spinal manipulation is aching or soreness in the spinal joints or muscles.
How long is a typical chiropractic session? ›A chiropractic visit typically lasts for up to 30 minutes. An introductory visit typically lasts longer than a “routine” visit. You can expect your chiropractor to ask you questions regarding your objectives and health history during your initial visit.
How many times can a chiropractic adjustment? ›When you are just starting a new treatment plan, it's common to have adjustments multiple times a week. As your body begins to heal, that number could drop to just once a week. And if you are pain-free and simply want to maintain your lifestyle, you might only need to get an adjustment once or twice a month.
How many chiropractic adjustments do you need? ›
Common Chiropractic Adjustment Frequencies
To achieve maximum benefits, most injury and pain types will need somewhere between four and twelve sessions. Ongoing maintenance is used to prevent pain from coming back and to prevent additional injuries from forming due to a misalignment of the spine.
It's common for chiropractic patients to receive care 2 or 3 times per week for the first 1 to 4 weeks. Generally, 3 visits per week are performed until the patient experiences a lessening of pain and other symptoms.
How often is too often to go to a chiropractor? ›While there is no limit to how often you can go for a chiropractic appointment, make sure that the frequency doesn't exceed your body's tolerance. If you feel uncomfortable after every chiropractic adjustment session or take longer than usual to relieve pain, something is wrong with your treatment plan.
When should you not get adjusted by a chiropractor? ›...
Risks
- A herniated disk or a worsening of an existing disk herniation.
- Compression of nerves in the lower spinal column.
- A certain type of stroke after neck manipulation.
Keep this alignment intact by not doing any quick or jerky movements following your adjustment, and not doing any heavy lifting or strenuous activities. Because your body needs to relearn how to be in the correct position, be mindful of your movements for the next day or so.
How long does it take to see results from chiropractic? ›Depending on the extent of the spinal injury, patients typically feel a reduction in pain of 40-80% following their first visit. However, general improvement occurs within 1 to 4 weeks from the start of chiropractic therapy.
Is chiropractic worth the money? ›Chiropractors don't just treat pain but also help prevent it. Keeping your body properly aligned can go a long way in helping maintain your health and wellness. Chiropractors can help assist with a multitude of conditions, making them an incredible value when you consider the high-cost of healthcare today.
Is it true once you go to a chiropractor? ›Although routine chiropractic adjustments are by no means necessary for everyone, nor must you continue chiropractic care after your first appointment, we often recommend regular chiropractic adjustments to improve overall health and wellness.
Why do you need to drink water after a chiropractic adjustment? ›If you don't drink enough water after a chiropractic adjustment, your ligaments can lose elasticity and strength due to dehydration. This can leave you sore or worse. So, it's imperative to drink water after an adjustment and to, of course, always stay hydrated.
Can you get adjusted too often? ›Going too much to the chiropractor can have serious effects. It might cause decreased range of motion, which is very problematic for people who exercise and need to be flexible.
How many chiropractic adjustments is too many? ›
Just as dependencies on unnecessary drugs and surgeries should be avoided, patients should not become dependent on frequent manipulations- no more than 6 per year to the same spinal bone. Spinal manipulation is an important, but small part of a chiropractic neurologist's treatment capabilities.
How do chiropractors know where to adjust? ›Gait and Posture Assessment
Chiropractors understand the natural gait and posture and will assess these areas when determining where to adjust. A basic assessment of your gait and posture will provide insights into the musculoskeletal system and its capability to adjust to different strains and stressors.
Are neck adjustments safe? Yes, neck adjustments are safe when performed by a trained and licensed professional. Qualified chiropractors should be more focused on neck alignment than “cracking” your neck, which may increase the risk of blood vessel strain.
Why do chiropractors keep you coming back? ›Changing your posture, changing your spine's ability to move, changing your muscle health and structure take time. Months in fact. All muscles have memory and your body wants to go back to its old patterns instead of creating new healthy ones. That is why adjustments need to be repeated again and again.