Do I Need a Referral to See a Doctor of Chiropractic?
You do not need a referral to see your chiropractor. Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) are considered first contact or primary care providers.
What are primary care providers?
Primary care providers are healthcare professionals who help identify, prevent, or treat illness or disability. Each state has regulatory boards to ensure patients receive similar standards of care, allowing DCs, MDs, DOs, NPs, and others to be your primary contact. When choosing a primary care provider, consider their background and training. If you prefer a more holistic approach to health, a chiropractor (DC) might be a good fit. If you align with conventional care, you might consider a traditional MD, DO, or nurse practitioner (NP).
The training a provider receives in school will influence how they treat patients in their office. Considering this will help you have a better experience with the provider you choose to handle your care.
Are chiropractors doctors?
Yes, chiropractors are doctors. They attend chiropractic school, where they learn about the body, its systems, and how to diagnose and treat various conditions. Chiropractors must obtain at least 90 credits and can earn a Bachelor of Science degree before starting graduate school. Upon completion of chiropractic school, each Doctor of Chiropractic will have an associate’s degree, a Bachelor of Science degree, and a doctorate degree.
Some of the classes and subjects chiropractors take during graduate school include:
- Anatomy/embryology
- Physiology
- Pathology
- Chemistry/biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Neurology
- Psychology
- Obstetrics/gynecology
- X-ray
- Orthopedics
Chiropractors and medical doctors take many of the same classes, but the focus and depth of study may vary. Many people are unaware of the similarities between these degrees. For a more detailed explanation, you can refer to this paper.
Do You Take Insurance?
At PTM & C, we value our patients, which means we also value your wallet. We keep our fees low by keeping our overhead low. We do not take traditional medical insurance but accept flex spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA). A super bill can be furnished upon request.
Always call your insurance provider to ask what is covered for you, then decide how to proceed with your care. Some insurance companies cover many of the services we offer, while others cover none. Understanding how your insurance works will help you maximize your benefits. Please ask if you have further questions.
What Is a Super Bill?
A super bill is an explanation of services provided to submit to your insurance company. It includes our information, diagnosing codes (ICD-10), the information of the service provided (CPT codes), and the cost of that service in one convenient place. This is commonly needed for submission to your medical insurance for reimbursement.