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Chiropractic is a Great Investment
Several recent studies are showing some favorable statistics regarding people who receive regular Chiropractic care. One study surveyed 311 Chiropractic patients, aged 65 and older, who had received Chiropractic care for 5 years or longer. To control for overall health status, patients in the study were asked to complete a general health survey. Despite similar health status, Chiropractic patients, when compared with U.S. citizens of the same age, spent only 31% of the national average for health care services. The Chiropractic patients also experienced 50% fewer medical provider visits compared with U.S. citizens of the same age.
Another study compared 2 groups of people over 75 years of age. One group received regular Chiropractic care and the other received none. Those receiving Chiropractic care reported overall better health, spent fewer days in hospitals and nursing homes, used fewer prescription drugs, and were more active than the non-Chiropractic patients. Furthermore, the Chiropractic patients reported 21% less time in hospitals over the previous 3 years. Nearly 45% of Medicare expenditures go towards hospital coverage.
Another study included 5.8 million Medicare patients, 1.5 million who received Chiropractic care. Despite averaging more claims per capita than non-Chiropractic patients, beneficiaries who received Chiropractic care had lower average payments per capita for all Medicare services ($4426 vs. $8103) and had lower average payments per claim for Medicare services($133 vs. $210). Aside from high levels of patient satisfaction and improved health behaviors, senior citizens receiving Chiropractic care spent significantly less time in hospitals, reduced medical utilization, and spent much less on medical care than patients not receiving Chiropractic care.
Could it be that getting regular chiropractic care may save the health care system billions of dollars? These studies suggest that it may. While I will not hold my breath hoping that the people in Washington somehow miraculously promote Chiropractic for everyone, I will suggest that as individuals and families we may be able to save our own health care dollars by utilizing regular Chiropractic care.
Another study compared 2 groups of people over 75 years of age. One group received regular Chiropractic care and the other received none. Those receiving Chiropractic care reported overall better health, spent fewer days in hospitals and nursing homes, used fewer prescription drugs, and were more active than the non-Chiropractic patients. Furthermore, the Chiropractic patients reported 21% less time in hospitals over the previous 3 years. Nearly 45% of Medicare expenditures go towards hospital coverage.
Another study included 5.8 million Medicare patients, 1.5 million who received Chiropractic care. Despite averaging more claims per capita than non-Chiropractic patients, beneficiaries who received Chiropractic care had lower average payments per capita for all Medicare services ($4426 vs. $8103) and had lower average payments per claim for Medicare services($133 vs. $210). Aside from high levels of patient satisfaction and improved health behaviors, senior citizens receiving Chiropractic care spent significantly less time in hospitals, reduced medical utilization, and spent much less on medical care than patients not receiving Chiropractic care.
Could it be that getting regular chiropractic care may save the health care system billions of dollars? These studies suggest that it may. While I will not hold my breath hoping that the people in Washington somehow miraculously promote Chiropractic for everyone, I will suggest that as individuals and families we may be able to save our own health care dollars by utilizing regular Chiropractic care.
