Does Medicaid Cover Chiropractic? A State-by-State Guide

Whether Medicaid pays for a chiropractor depends on which state issued your card. We reviewed all 50 states and Washington, D.C. As of November 2026, 31 states cover chiropractic care for adults, 4 cover it only in limited cases, and 16 don't cover it for adults at all.

Coverage changes more often than you might think. Arizona, Tennessee and New Mexico added adult coverage in the last few years. Missouri dropped it in July 2026, and Washington planned to add it and then paused. Use the table to see where your state stands, then confirm with your plan before you book.

Medicaid chiropractic coverage by state

“Yes” means the state's Medicaid program covers chiropractic care for adults. “Limited” means only certain adults qualify. Limits marked 2018 come from the most recent national survey, so check your plan for today's numbers.

Children are covered more broadly

For members under 21, Medicaid includes a benefit called EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment). Federal rules generally require states to cover care a child medically needs, which can include chiropractic care, even in states that don't cover it for adults. Many states ask for a referral from the child's doctor first. Missouri's notice ending coverage applies to all members, so families there should ask the plan directly.

If you have Medicare too

If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, Medicare usually pays first. Medicare Part B covers manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation, and you normally pay 20% after the Part B deductible. Depending on your Medicaid category, Medicaid may pay that 20%. In New York, for example, that is the only way Medicaid pays chiropractors for adults. Read more in our guide to what Medicare covers at the chiropractor.

Your Medicaid health plan has the final word

In most states, a private managed care plan runs your Medicaid benefits. It must cover what the state covers, and some plans add chiropractic visits as an extra benefit even where the state doesn't. Plans can also set their own visit limits, referral rules and networks. Before your first visit, call the member services number on your card and ask:

• Is chiropractic care covered for me, and how many visits a year?
• Do I need a referral or approval first?
• Is this chiropractor in my plan's network and enrolled with Medicaid?
• Are X-rays or other services covered too?

If your state doesn't cover it

Ask your primary care provider about physical therapy, which most Medicaid programs cover when a provider orders it. Community health centers and chiropractic colleges sometimes offer lower-cost care. For more on plan rules, see Does Medicaid cover chiropractors?

Ready to look? Find a chiropractor near you that accepts Medicaid. Tell us your plan and ZIP code, and we'll match you with a clinic; the clinic checks your benefits before your first visit.

How we built this table

We started from KFF's state survey of Medicaid benefits, the most recent national data, collected in 2018. We then checked states where coverage was unclear or had changed against state Medicaid manuals, state plan amendments approved by the federal government, state notices and legislation. Each row links to the source we relied on. Last checked: November 4, 2026. If you spot a change, tell us at our contact page.

Sources

• KFF: Medicaid Benefits, Chiropractor Services
• Medicaid.gov: Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment
• Medicare.gov: Chiropractic services
• State sources are linked in each row of the table.