The Role of Insurance Coverage in the Minster Back Surgery or Non-Surgical Care Choice
“Back surgery is one of the most overused types of surgery as well as the most common ailment that sends patients to doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists,” reports Crain’s Detroit Business magazine’s article titled Health Insurers Look for Ways to Cut Costs with Back Surgery. What a way to begin an article! It continues:
- $90 billion on low back pain alone annually
- 1.2 million spinal surgeries annually
- $60,000 to $110,000 per lumbar fusion surgery (the fastest-growing type of surgery in the past 10 years)
The back surgery failure rate, the so-called “failed back syndrome” or the more “politically correct” term “post-surgical continued pain syndrome,” is as high as 50%. (1) With healthcare spending in the US over $3.5 trillion - $10,739 a person – it is no wonder that insurers seek another way to cut costs, particularly when one-third of the money is spent for hospital care of chronic illnesses. (2) Minster Chiropractic Center is well-trained and confident in offering non-hospital-based care to help Minster back pain – chronic and acute – patients get relief of and handle their back pain – as well as post-surgical continued back pain - without surgery.
LOW BACK PAIN FACTS
Low back pain is the leading cause of years lived with disability around the world. Today, guidelines for low back pain relief care discourage pain medications, steroid injections and spine surgery and encourage physical therapy and psychological therapy. Healthcare systems have a tendency to struggle with these new approaches. Why? Pharmaceutical companies’ financial interests, old payment systems that favor medical care, outdated traditions, and legal, personal, political, and societal beliefs of us all. These thoughts are shared in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization, believe it or not. (3) Minster Chiropractic Center reads this with interest.
BACK SURGERY CHOICE
Considering these facts, it’s not hard to believe that some back pain sufferers will decide on back surgery over non-surgical care of their back pain. “Patients go where insurance pays, even if it is surgery.” In one study, back pain sufferers made the choice to see a primary care physician (PCP) or physical therapist (PT) or chiropractor first based on their health plan type, co-payment, and deductible. Amending these factors to make them more valuable/less expensive/less restrictive as to provider type might well encourage low back pain sufferers to choose non-hospital, conservative treatment rather than back surgery. (4) Minster Chiropractic Center likes this! Less than 1% of back pain sufferers must have back surgery. (5) Minster Chiropractic Center is ready to assist the other 99% of the Minster back pain sufferers cope with their back pain and adapt their lifestyles to be with the spine they have and deal with its episodes of pain and relief.
RECURRENT BACK PAIN
Minster back pain sufferers are in good company if their back pain comes back. It happens. It’s controllable. It is manageable. Some data first: Within a year of recovery, 69% of patients experienced another episode of back pain of some sort. Awkward postures, long sitting times, and more than 2 prior back pain experiences trigger the risk of back pain recurrence. (6) It’s ok though. Really! Minster Chiropractic Center helps Minster back pain patients find their way through these recurrences and manage them so they do not limit anyone’s enjoyment of life. We have a treatment plan!
CONTACT Minster Chiropractic Center
Listen to Dr. Kimble Cater on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson share how he helped an expectant mother with her repeated episodes of back pain. Whether you are pregnant or not, Minster chiropractic care at Minster Chiropractic Center can help you cope with repeated episodes of back pain, too.
Schedule a Minster chiropractic appointment at Minster Chiropractic Center for back pain relief. Our care is not overused! The gentle, effective, evidence-based system of Cox® Technic seeks 50% relief within 4-6 weeks of care and often delivers 70%, 80%, 90% and more for many of our patients at less cost – in terms of finances and lifestyle – than back surgery.
