As an FCA-authorised broker that has helped arrange cover for over 750,000 people, WeCovr offers this guide to chiropractic care and private medical insurance in the UK. We’ll explore what chiropractors do, when your policy is likely to cover treatment, and how to get the most from your health cover.
A sudden twinge in your lower back after a weekend of gardening, a stiff neck from long hours at your desk, or a nagging pain from an old sports injury. These are common complaints for millions of people across the UK. In fact, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, like back and neck pain, are a leading cause of work absence.
Many people find relief through chiropractic care, a hands-on therapy focused on the spine and wider MSK system. But this raises a crucial question: will your private medical insurance pay for it?
The answer is often yes, but it’s rarely a simple case of booking an appointment and sending the bill to your insurer. Understanding the rules, limits, and processes is key to accessing the care you need without facing an unexpected invoice.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about chiropractic treatment and private health cover in the UK.
Before we dive into the insurance details, let's clarify what chiropractic care involves. It’s a common and well-established form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
A chiropractor is a trained healthcare professional who diagnoses, treats, and helps prevent conditions related to the bones, joints, muscles, and nerves of the body—the musculoskeletal system. They are particularly known for treating pain in the back and neck.
What to Expect from a Chiropractor:
It's a common misconception that chiropractic adjustments are painful or dangerous. When performed by a qualified professional, they are generally safe and gentle.
Crucially, in the UK, all chiropractors must be registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC). This is a legal requirement. The GCC ensures practitioners meet high standards of training, professional skills, and behaviour. You should never receive treatment from someone who is not on the GCC register. Insurers will only ever cover treatment from a GCC-registered chiropractor.
For many people with private health cover, the answer is yes—but with important conditions attached. Most comprehensive private medical insurance UK policies include cover for 'complementary therapies', and chiropractic care almost always falls into this category alongside osteopathy and physiotherapy.
However, coverage is not guaranteed and depends entirely on three factors:
This is the most critical concept to understand in all of private medical insurance.
Chiropractic treatment will only be covered if it is for an acute condition that has started after you took out your policy.
Similarly, private medical insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. If you had treatment or advice for back pain in the years before your policy began, any future issues with your back will likely be excluded from cover.
Here’s a simple table to illustrate what’s typically covered.
Scenario | Likely Covered by PMI? | Why? |
---|---|---|
You strain your neck while playing tennis for the first time. | Yes | This is a new, acute injury that occurred after your policy started. |
You have long-term arthritis in your spine, causing daily pain. | No | This is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management, not a cure. |
You had physiotherapy for a slipped disc two years before buying your policy. You now want chiropractic care for the same issue. | No | This is a pre-existing condition, so it will be excluded from your cover. |
You wake up with sudden, severe lower back pain with no prior history of back problems. Your GP refers you for treatment. | Yes | This is a new, acute condition that is expected to resolve with treatment. |
If you have a new musculoskeletal issue and believe you need chiropractic care, you can't simply book a session and expect your insurer to pay. You must follow their pre-authorisation process.
Here are the typical steps:
See Your GP First: Most insurers require a GP referral. Your GP will assess your condition and determine if a course of chiropractic treatment is medically appropriate. An open referral (where the GP recommends a type of therapy rather than a specific person) is usually sufficient. Some modern policies now offer direct access to therapy services without a GP referral, but you must check your policy documents.
Contact Your Insurer for Pre-Authorisation: This is a non-negotiable step. Before you book any appointments, you must call your insurer's claims line. You will need:
Get Your Authorisation Code: If the insurer agrees that your condition is eligible for cover, they will provide you with an authorisation code. They will also tell you exactly what is covered—specifically, the number of sessions or the total financial limit they have approved.
Choose a Recognised Chiropractor: Your insurer will have a list or network of approved chiropractors. You must choose a practitioner from this list. Using a chiropractor who is not recognised by your insurer will mean your claim is rejected. At WeCovr, our advisors can help you understand your insurer's network of specialists.
Attend Your Sessions: Provide your authorisation code and policy details to the chiropractor's clinic. In most cases, the clinic will bill the insurer directly, so you don't have to pay anything upfront (unless you have an excess on your policy).
Request More Sessions if Needed: If your chiropractor believes you need more sessions than were initially authorised, they will need to provide a report to your insurer. The insurer will then review the request and decide whether to extend the authorisation.
Not all private health cover is created equal. The level of cover for therapies like chiropractic care can vary significantly between providers and policy tiers. Basic, budget-friendly policies may exclude it entirely, while comprehensive plans often include it as standard.
Here’s a general overview of how major UK providers typically handle chiropractic cover in 2025. Please note that these are generalisations, and the exact terms will depend on the specific policy you choose.
Provider | Typical Chiropractic Cover Level | Key Features & Considerations |
---|---|---|
AXA Health | Often included as standard in their 'Therapies' option on most plans. | Generous session limits are common. AXA has a large network of recognised specialists. May offer access without a GP referral via their 'Working Body' service. |
Bupa | Usually included in comprehensive policies. May be an optional add-on for basic plans. | Bupa has a vast network of Bupa-recognised therapists. They often require a GP referral to ensure the treatment is for an acute condition. |
Aviva | Typically an optional 'Expert Select' or 'Therapies' add-on. Not always standard. | Limits can be based on a number of sessions or a financial cap (e.g., £500). The 'BacktoBetter' service provides specialised, direct access for MSK issues. |
Vitality | Included as part of their core cover, often with a focus on encouraging proactive health. | Often linked to the Vitality Programme. They may provide incentives for staying active. Access is typically via their 'Panel of Premier Consultants'. |
The Exeter | Therapies, including chiropractic, are an optional benefit that can be added to their 'Health+' policy. | Offers flexibility to add or remove cover to suit your budget. Known for clear terms and good customer service. |
Choosing the right provider can be confusing. This is where an expert PMI broker like WeCovr adds immense value. We compare policies from across the market, explain the small print, and help you find a plan that provides the right level of therapy cover for your needs and budget—all at no cost to you.
If you discover your policy excludes chiropractic treatment, or if your condition is deemed chronic, you still have options for managing your pain.
While having insurance for treatment is reassuring, the best strategy is to look after your musculoskeletal health to prevent problems from arising in the first place. This is especially important in our modern world of desk jobs and sedentary lifestyles.
Here are some wellness tips to keep your back and neck healthy:
To support your healthy lifestyle goals, all WeCovr clients who purchase PMI or Life Insurance receive complimentary access to CalorieHero, our exclusive AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. It's a fantastic tool for making informed choices about your diet.
The UK private medical insurance market is complex. Policies are filled with jargon, and the differences between them can be subtle but significant. A specialist broker cuts through the noise.
Finding the right private medical insurance is about securing peace of mind. It’s knowing that if you suffer an unexpected injury, you can access high-quality treatment like chiropractic care quickly, without worrying about NHS waiting lists or large private bills.
Ready to find a health insurance policy that gives you access to treatments like chiropractic care when you need it most?
Get your free, no-obligation quote from WeCovr today. Our expert advisors will compare the market for you and help you find the perfect private medical insurance for your needs and budget.