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What Insurance Companies Can Cover Your Chiropractic Care in the UK?

Is chiropractic care in the UK covered by insurance? What insurance companies can cover your chiropractic care? What types of chiropractic insurance policies are available, and what do we do here at Back In Shape Chiropractic?

In this post, we’ll discuss your insurance options for chiropractic care in the UK. From some of the better known insurance companies to the types of insurance, you can take out, and the benefits of having chiropractic insurance.

Please Note – the information contained in this post is provided for educational purposes only; we do not recommend any particular insurance provider, policy, or cash plan, over any other.

Our Policy At Back In Shape Chiropractic

At Back In Shape Chiropractic, we provide you with a full statement after each appointment. It includes our address, your practitioner’s name, and your registration number. You can then use this information to lodge your claim independently. 

We also comply with the schedule of fees for AXA, Aviva, Preferred Healthcare Ltd, Vitality Health and various cash plans through organisations like Simply Health and BHSF. 

Understanding UK Chiropractic Insurance

Chiropractic care is not yet widely available under the NHS so you need to plan ahead if you don’t want to foot the entire bill yourself. Currently, your chiropractic insurance options are either a Cash Plan Health Insurance policy or private medical insurance.

Cash Plan Health Insurance

A Cash Plan Health insurance policy reimburses you for a range of everyday healthcare costs, including chiropractic care. They can be a cost-effective approach to managing regular healthcare expenses and are popular for this reason.

You simply pay for your treatment at the time of your appointment, and then claim a percentage back from your insurer.

Private Medical Insurance (PMI)

PMI policies typically cover a broader range of treatments, which may include chiropractic care either as a standard inclusion or as an option. They are a good idea if you require more comprehensive cover than cash plans offer or need hospital treatment and specialist consults. 

Note however that not all chiropractors offer direct billing so, even with PMI, you may still have to pay for your treatment and then make a claim through your insurer.

Does My Health Insurance Cover Chiropractic Care?

Even though it’s not readily available through the NHS, chiropractic care is increasing in the UK. However, not all health insurance policies automatically include chiropractic insurance. Instead, many offer it as an optional extra so always check the policy to confirm it is included. 

Also check that all the types of chiropractic treatment you may require are included, and what conditions are attached to the cover. For instance, some policies require a referral from a GP or medical specialist. Or that the chiropractor you use is part of their provider network.

That said, here are some UK insurance companies that do offer some level of chiropractic insurance:

Bupa

Bupa is a global health insurance provider and one of the better-known insurers in the UK. They offer a range of policies that often include chiropractic care as part of their physiotherapy benefits. 

But – the specifics of the coverage do vary depending on the policy. Therefore, it is important you check your policy documents should you need to claim or contact the company directly to confirm your chiropractic treatment coverage.

AXA Health

AXA Health offers health insurance plans that allow for the inclusion of chiropractic care under their musculoskeletal health services. As with Bupa, the extent of the coverage depends on your plan. 

Note that AXA Health also requires a referral from a GP or a specialist before authorising chiropractic treatment under their plans. If you have a plan with them review your policy, or speak with an AXA representative, so you’re clear about their requirements.

Vitality Health

Vitality is well known for its focus on wellness in general and offers cover for chiropractic care as part of its musculoskeletal health services. 

You don’t specifically require a referral under most of their plans but you do need to use one of their approved chiropractors. So, always confirm the chiropractor is part of their provider network before booking an appointment and check the treatment you require is covered by your policy.

Cigna

Cigna is based in the US but offers international health insurance plans customised to suit local regulations. Their policies typically cover chiropractic care as part of their outpatient benefits but you do require a referral before undergoing chiropractic treatment. 

WPA (Western Provident Association)

WPA is another UK-based health insurance provider known for its range of very flexible health care plans. You can customise your plan to include chiropractic care under their specialist and therapeutic services. 

Like Vitality, you don’t need a referral to access chiropractic care through WPA so long as your chiropractor is part of their provider network. And the treatment you’re receiving is covered by your policy.

Healix

UK-based Healix also offers customised health care plans with the option to include chiropractic care. Some of their plans do require a referral to access the chiropractic coverage so, again, always check the conditions that apply to your particular plan.

Aviva

Aviva has a range of comprehensive health insurance policies. Depending on the plan, chiropractic care is included under their physiotherapy or musculoskeletal services. Coverage specifics do vary between plans so make sure you know what is, and isn’t, included. 

Check their referral and preferred provider requirements as well because most Aviva policies require a referral for chiropractic care.

Preferred Healthcare Ltd

Preferred Healthcare Ltd is a specialist health insurance provider with a focus on customised healthcare solutions. In particular, they offer holistic treatment cover options that can include chiropractic care if required. 

Most of their policies don’t need a referral so you can access chiropractic care directly. But again – always check your policy or confirm the specifics with the insurer.

How Can You Claim Chiropractic Insurance?

  1. Check Your Policy: Does it cover chiropractic care? Not all policies automatically do so if you didn’t anticipate needing a chiropractor when you took out the policy, you may not have included it. If you do have it, check the coverage limits, referral requirements, and any conditions that must be met.
  2. Get a Referral if required: As discussed earlier, some insurance companies require you to have a referral from a GP or specialist before they will cover chiropractic treatment.
  3. Choose a Registered Chiropractor: There are 2 parts to this. First, your chiropractor must be registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) – this is a legislated requirement for all chiropractors in the UK. 

Second, they may also need to be a member of your insurer’s approved provider network, particularly if you don’t need a referral. 

  1. Submit your Claim: Immediately after your treatment, one of 2 things will happen. If your chiropractor doesn’t offer direct billing – and many independent clinics don’t – you will need to pay for your treatment yourself. You will then be issued with the necessary documentation to submit your claim. If they do offer direct billing, they will bill your insurance company directly.
  2. Receive your Reimbursement: If you’ve made the claim yourself, then, depending on your plan, you’ll be reimbursed for either the full or partial cost of your treatment.

Tips For Choosing the Right Chiropractic Insurance Plan for Your Needs

Choosing the right insurance plan to cover your chiropractic requirements is obviously important – remember, the devil is in the details – so here are a few tips.

  • Know your limits (your coverage limits, that is). What is your excess, do you have to make a co-contribution, how much will you get back, and what services are covered? Select a policy that best suits your needs.
  • Referral requirements: do you need to get a referral from a GP or specialist, or does your chiropractor need to be part of your insurer’s provider network? Most policies include one or other of these requirements to make sure you are only receiving appropriate and necessary treatment. Again, go with the option that best suits you. 
  • Flexibility: If you want the flexibility to go straight to a chiropractor directly, select a company, and policy, that doesn’t require referrals. Note however that you may have less flexibility in terms of your choice of chiropractor due to provider network conditions.
    Alternatively, if you want more flexibility around your choice of chiropractor, a GP can usually refer you to one of your choosing. In this case – select a company and policy that does require referrals, and then request to be referred to your selected chiropractor.
  • Cost: Do your sums and compare premium costs with potential savings. Go with the one that gives you the best bang for your buck.

Conclusion: What Insurance Companies Can Cover Your Chiropractic Care?

Many insurance companies, including most of the majors, can cover your chiropractic care in the UK but always check your policy to make sure they do cover it!

This is because most companies offer it as an optional extra, or as part of an optional additional cover. So, if you haven’t included it in your policy, you won’t be covered.

Elizabeth Garvey
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