WCA-Backed Budget Provision Expands Medicaid Coverage to Extremities and Therapies
With the 2025-2027 State budget in its final stages of approval, the Joint Finance Committee (the budget writing committee of the Wisconsin Legislature) approved a broad wrap-up motion today that was negotiated between both parties of the Wisconsin Legislature and Governor Evers.
This wrap-up motion included a WCA-backed provision that expands chiropractic coverage to extremity adjustments and commonly used therapies for Medicaid patients. Current Medicaid policy limits chiropractors to care related to the spine.
The WCA worked with Rep. Novak (R-Dodgeville), Senator Rachael Cabral Guevara (R-Appleton), Rep. Clint Moses (R-Menomonie) and Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) to position the budget amendment for approval by the JFC. The motion appropriates $3.75 million dollars in 2025-2027 to fund these new services. The motion (language below) also directs the Wisconsin Medicaid office to seek any required approvals from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid needed to draw down the federal match (FMAP) funds for implementation of the provision,
“We appreciate the support of the Joint Finance Committee members and all of our pro chiropractic allies in the Wisconsin Legislature who helped advance this important budget provision,” said WCA President Dr. Chris Resch.
The language of the budget provision is as follows:
Chiropractic Services Reimbursement.
Provide $1,250,000 ($500,000 GPR and $750,000 FED) in 2025-2026 and $2,500,000 ($1,000,000 GPR and $1,500,000 FED) in 2026-2027 to support an expansion of MA coverage for services provided by chiropractors to the full chiropractic scope of practice, contingent on approval of federal financial participation for newly covered services.
Require DHS to submit a waiver or state plan amendment to secure federal approval for federal financial participation, and specify that DHS is not required to provide coverage of chiropractic services not approved for federal financial participation.
WCA: Working to Expand Chiropractic Coverage
By working with our pro-chiropractic allies in the Legislature, the WCA has been able to expand chiropractic coverage and increase reimbursement within the Wisconsin Medicaid program in three consecutive state budgets now.
The JFC-approved budget still requires the approval of both houses of the Wisconsin Legislature and the signature of Governor Evers who has expansive veto authority.
“The WCA will continue to advocate for this important expansion of chiropractic care within Medicaid with lawmakers until the new budget is signed into law,” said WCA Executive Director John Murray.