New Year, New Insurance: What You Need to Know Before Your Chiropractic Visit of the Year.

The start of a new year often brings fresh goals, new routines and for many patients, changes to their health insurance benefits. Even if you’ve had the same insurance company for years, January is when many plans reset or update.

Understanding these changes can help you avoid surprises and make the most of your chiropractic care in the new year.

Why Insurance Changes at the Start of the Year

Most health insurance plans operate on a calendar year, which means that on January 1:

• Deductibles reset

• Copays or coinsurance amounts may change

• Visit limits may start over

• Coverage details may be updated by your employer or insurance provider

This can impact how much you pay for care early in the year even if nothing seems different on the surface.

What Does It Mean When Your Deductible Resets?

Your deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying before your insurance begins to contribute toward covered services.

When your deductible resets in January:

• You may pay more out-of-pocket at the beginning of the year

• Visits that were previously covered may now apply toward your deductible

• This is completely normal and expected with most plans

Many patients are surprised by higher balances in January, but this does not mean something is wrong. It simply means your benefits have reset.

Copays, Coinsurance & Visit Limits May Change

Even with the same insurance provider, your specific plan can change year to year. This can affect:

• Your copay amount

• Coinsurance percentage

• Number of chiropractic visits allowed per year

• Authorization or referral requirements

Because many plans are employer-based, coverage can vary widely from one patient to another, even within the same insurance company.

Same Insurance Company, Different Coverage

One of the most common misconceptions is assuming that having the same insurance company guarantees the same benefits year after year.

In reality:

• Employers choose different plan options annually

• Coverage is based on the specific plan, not the insurance company name

• Benefits are determined by your policy, not by your provider’s recommendation

This is why insurance verification is an important step before beginning or continuing care.

While insurance verification provides helpful information, it’s important to understand that insurance benefits are not a guarantee of payment, and final responsibility remains with the patient.

How You Can Prepare for Your Chiropractic Visit

To make the process smooth and stress-free, we recommend:

• Bringing your updated insurance card (even if it looks the same)

• Letting us know if your insurance or employer changed

• Asking questions about your benefits before starting care

• Scheduling early in the year to plan your treatment effectively

Our team is always happy to explain benefits and answer questions so you can focus on your health.

Start the New Year Feeling Your Best

Chiropractic care is a proactive way to support your health throughout the year. Understanding your insurance benefits helps you make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary stress.

If you have questions about your coverage or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our office. We're here to help.

New patients are welcome, and early scheduling is encouraged. Remember even if you do not have health insurance you are welcome here. 

In need of chiropractic care? Contact Us - We can help!

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Remedy Chiropractic Care Services:

Lanham, Bowie, Woodmore, Landover, College Park, DC, Alexandria and the DMV Area