Medicare Open Enrollment for Chiropractors | Your Quick Guide

How to Change Your Medicare Status During Open Enrollment

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Understanding Medicare Open Enrollment for Chiropractors

Each fall, Medicare open enrollment for chiropractors offers a critical window to evaluate your provider status. From mid-October through the end of December, you can change your enrollment from participating to non-participating or vice versa. This decision directly impacts how you interact with Medicare Part B and how your patients pay for their care.

Participating vs. Non-Participating: What’s the Difference?

To treat Medicare Part B patients, every chiropractor must be enrolled in Medicare. You have two options for your status:

• Participating Provider – As a participating chiropractor, you submit claims, accept assignment, and receive payment directly from your Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). This approach simplifies billing for patients since Medicare pays you directly.
• Non-Participating Provider – As a non-participating chiropractor, you still must submit claims, but patients pay you at the time of service and receive reimbursement from Medicare. You also retain the flexibility to accept assignment on a case-by-case basis, depending on patient needs.

Regardless of which option you choose, enrollment is required to provide covered services under Medicare Part B. Choosing the right status for your practice depends on your business model, patient preferences, and how you want payments processed.

Why This Enrollment Window Matters

Medicare open enrollment for chiropractors is the only time each year when you can change your status. Missing this window could mean waiting another year to adjust how your practice participates in the Medicare program. Reviewing your current status and considering your patient care goals now ensures you’re prepared before the deadline.

Take Action This Fall

Don’t miss the chance to make the best decision for your practice and patients. Mark your calendar for mid-October to December 31 and review your current status. Whether you choose to remain participating or switch to non-participating, understanding how Medicare open enrollment for chiropractors works ensures your practice stays compliant and your patients continue receiving the care they need.

If you’re unsure about where your practice stands with Medicare open enrollment, KMC University can help. We offer tools, courses, and even a FREE Discovery Assessment to help you evaluate your current compliance level and prepare for the future.