From time to time, Medicare announces changes to its coverage plan. These may go unnoticed until actually needed. If you live in Maine and use chiropractic services, you may be interested in the following information which was shared with me recently by another Windham senior citizen. Please read carefully.

The Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is conducting a two-year demonstration project that expands coverage for chiropractic services for Medicare beneficiaries.

If you are a Medicare beneficiary who previously received such services from a chiropractor, you would have had to pay out of pocket. You will now be able to receive certain services from a chiropractor subject to the regular Medicare co-insurance and deductibles.

The demonstration will be conducted throughout the state.

Medicare currently helps pay for manual manipulation of the spine by chiropractors. But Medicare will now cover additional medical, diagnostic and therapy services that chiropractors are legally allowed to provide. These include: physical therapy, x-rays, lab tests, and extraspinal manipulation, which is a manipulation of a body part other than the spine. Chiropractors will also be able to order magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) and CT scans, and refer patients to physical therapists for therapy services if they do not provide therapy services.

The project started Apr. 1, 2005 and ends Mar. 31, 2007. Medicare will not pay chiropractors for these expanded services after Mar. 31, 2007.

Confirm that your chiropractor is participating in the demonstration; if he or she is not participating, then your chiropractor may bill you for the full costs of these expanded services.

To be eligible, you must have Medicare Part B insurance and your chiropractor must practice in Maine. You must be enrolled in original Medicare and not in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Talk with your chiropractor to review the complete list of eligible services under the demonstration. Discuss what Medicare will cover.

If you receive the newly covered Medicare services from a chiropractor, you will simply pay your customary unmet deductibles and applicable co-insurance. If you have Medigap, the customary co-insurance and deductible usually covered for Medicare services should be covered. If you have employer coverage you will need to find out if they cover the co-insurance and/or deductible.

If you have any questions that cannot be answered by your chiropractor, call 1-800-MEDICARE or email: MMA_Section_651@cms.hhs.gov.