These days we tend to trust Google for finding us what we are looking for and chiropractic is no different. Whether you are searching for “Chiropractor”, “Chiropractor Near Me”, or some other term, don’t necessarily trust all you find on Google. 

Online searches like Google are a great place to start but if you stop there you might not find what you are looking for.

I’m amazed at how many people call my office and their only question is about how much the first visit is and how much are adjustments. While I understand the concern about money, most of the time it really doesn’t matter, what they are not asking about are questions about the care they would receive. 

Just a few minutes ago a woman patient walked out after her visit noting how much better she felt. She came to me from another chiropractor. Another client saw another chiropractor the other day when I was out of the office and she remarked how much more aggressive the other doctor was. 

If all you are concerned about is price with regards to who puts their hands on you to work with you, then simply look for the closest and cheapest chiropractor. But, remember you usually get what you pay for. 

Here are a few considerations and preparations to make prior to and in addition to your Google search:

• Get really specific about what you are looking for! Why are you looking for a chiropractor and what do you want?
• Look closely at your insurance coverage and consider you deductible, co-pay, and chiropractic coverage. Maybe insurance isn’t a factor. With today’s deductibles, co-pays, and limited coverage you often pay more with insurance.
• Let’s say the difference in cost in an office visit between 2 different chiropractors is $20. If you were to go to the office 15 times that makes it with you and what do you want?

While you are on google look at their reviews. Read some of the longer reviews since these are from people who took the time to write a thoughtful review. If there are any bad reviews, compare them to the others and look for the office’s response to those reviews. 

Read and see if people are experiencing benefits for issues similar to what you are experiencing. If you are a woman, look for some reviews from other women. Chiropractic can be intimidating or uncomfortable for some so look for reviews that might help you there. 

Visit the websites of chiropractors you find. Does the language they use resonate with you?  Does it seem that what they do matches with what you want?

Look at the information about the doctor and his or her philosophy. You are thinking about entrusting your body and your health to someone. 

Just today I got a voicemail for someone looking for a chiropractor and the only question he had was whether we took his insurance. I called him back and asked if I could offer some input. Here’s what I suggested he do:

• Find out exactly what his insurance coverage is. Between large deductibles, copays, limitations in coverage there is often little if any advantage to using insurance. 
• Look at what other offices might be charging for a visit that is not covered by insurance. This is a common strategy to circumvent low insurance payments. 
• Get together with his wife and discuss what they liked and didn’t like about their previous chiropractic care. Make a list and look for an office that meets or exceeds those needs. 

Here’s an example of how this actually plays out. There is an insurance coverage that typically covers about 12 visits per year and pays $25-30 reimbursement per visit for the chiropractic adjustment only. A colleague of mine that I trade services with bills this insurance but also charges an additional $40 non-covered charge per visit for a total of $65 per visit. 

Yes, he takes insurance but it costs his patients $40 after insurance reimbursement and after 12 visits people pay the full $65 per visit. In my office people pay a flat $40 for that same coverage. In the end they pay less in my office without billing insurance. 

Be cautious in choosing your healthcare providers. While expense is important it should not be your only consideration and in my opinion should not be the primary consideration. If you needed heart surgery and the well known expert with decades of experience charged $10,000 more than the doctor with less experience, are you choosing your heart surgeon based on money?

About Dr. Berkowitz 

Bringing more than 3 decades of practice experience, Dr. Bill Berkowitz focuses on balancing and corrective care, applying his expertise to provide patients with predictable, repeatable and measurable results.

Dr. Bill consistently strives to enhance the well-being of his patients by addressing the root imbalances of their problems and promoting optimal balance, alignment, and function of the spine and nervous system.  

Bill’s wealth of knowledge and experience has allowed him to develop a nuanced understanding of the human body and its intricate connections. With each adjustment, he supports the body in returning to a state of balance that goes beyond mere symptom relief, focusing instead on long-term correction for his patients’ well-being. 

Blog: https://lifewithinchiropractic.com/blog/

If you are ready you can schedule your first visit here: Schedule Here