Cost-Effectiveness of Chiropractic in a Managed Care Setting

The authors of this study retrospectively evaluated the cost of health care for back and neck pain (using ICD-9 codes) for members of a health maintenance organization who sought chiropractic care in 1994-1995. In addition, differences between the groups in surgical rates, the use of diagnostic imaging and patient satisfaction were compared. The cost of healthcare for back and neck pain was substantially lower for chiropractic patients ($539 versus $774). The authors concluded that properly managed chiropractic care can yield outcomes, in terms of surgical requirements and patient satisfaction, that are equal to those of non-chiropractic care, at a substantially lower cost per patient.