"The More You Know"
-Dr. Nathan Zachor, DC
The best representation of a true cost comparison study between chiropractic and medical care for lower back over a 2-year span led to a summary report from 2010 titled, "The Center for Health Value Innovation Report". The cost data came from 85,000 Blue Cross members in Tennessee where patients were given equal access, equal copay costs and unlimited visits for medical care and chiropractic care of lower back pain.
The conclusion of the lower back pain cost comparison study revealed that "care initiated with a Chiropractor (DC) was less costly than care initiated through a Medical or Osteopathic Doctor (MD/DO). Paid costs for episodes of care initiated with a DC are almost 40% less than episodes initiated with an MD/DO." Even after risk adjusting each patient's costs, we found that episodes of care initiated with a DC are 20% less expensive than episodes initiated with an MD (JMPT 2010 (Nov): 640-643)." Other previous cost comparison studies have found chiropractic care to be 1/3 of the cost in comparison with PT or medical care (British Medical Journal 2003 (Apr 26); 326 (7395): 911).
Beyond the head-to-head comparison in costs per episode of lower back pain, patients receive many additional health benefits. It is well documented in the literature over the past 20 years that there are significant reductions in overall total health care costs per calendar year, substantial reduction in days missed from work, lower hospitalization rates, reduced usage of advanced imaging, reduced percentage of referrals to spine specialists and surgeons, and massive drops in medication usage and costs.
In conclusion, it pays for you to add a doctor of chiropractic to your healthcare team for spine-related pain. We hope that you will choose the doctor of Schubbe Resch Chiropractic and Physical Therapy first for your spine related needs!
