MMA Signs Letter to Congress on Chiropractic Scope Issue

May 1, 2025

The MMA, along with nearly 100 healthcare advocacy groups, signed a letter to Congressional leaders opposing legislation that would revise how chiropractors are referred to in Medicare claims.  

The bill would "authorize chiropractors to use the title ‘physician’ under the Medicare Part B program and be paid the same rate as allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) physicians for manual manipulation of the spine, as well as for any other medical services chiropractors are licensed to perform,” says the letter sent April 28. 

The letter goes on to say: “this bill opens the door for other services, which chiropractors have not been specifically trained to provide, and which could potentially put patient safety at risk, to be covered by Medicare.” 

“While we greatly value the contribution of chiropractors to the physician-led care team, their training is not equivalent” to the training that physicians go through, the letter says. 

“Not only does this increase care risks, it creates confusion for patients when referring to a physician,” said MMA President Edwin Bogonko, MD, MBA.  “Everyone knows a physician is a medical doctor or osteopath.”