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Does Fidelis Cover Chiropractic? Medicaid and Medicare Rules

By Modinul Islam Khan Updated October 19, 2026

Reviewed October 19, 2026. Fidelis Care Medicaid generally doesn’t cover chiropractic care, because New York Medicaid doesn’t include chiropractic as a covered benefit. New York asked CMS in December 2020 to add chiropractic for chronic lower back pain, but a 2026 New York Department of Health report says “the SPA process was not finalized.” If you have a Wellcare by Fidelis Care Medicare plan, Medicare Part B covers spinal adjustments by a chiropractor to correct a subluxation.

Quick answer: With Fidelis Medicaid Managed Care or HARP, expect to pay for chiropractic visits yourself unless Fidelis confirms otherwise for your case. With Medicare (including Wellcare Fidelis Medicare Advantage), manual spinal manipulation for subluxation is covered, and you pay 20% after the Part B deductible in Original Medicare or your plan’s copay. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, Medicaid may pay your Medicare cost sharing. Call Fidelis Care at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547, TTY 711) to confirm.

Does Fidelis Medicaid cover chiropractic?

Fidelis Care’s Medicaid Managed Care plans follow New York State’s Medicaid benefit package, and that package doesn’t include chiropractic services for adults:

Adult benefit plan: New York’s Adult Group benefit plan (state plan amendment 22-42, effective April 1, 2022) says, “The Medicaid State Plan covers all the benefits in the benchmark plan except chiropractic services.” (NY DOH, SPA 22-42)
The proposal that wasn’t finished: In December 2020, New York submitted an amendment to add acupuncture and chiropractor services for chronic lower back pain, with a referral and medical necessity required. The Department of Health’s April 2026 report says, “However, the SPA process was not finalized,” and that it “found no evidence of Medicaid MCOs opting to cover the services in the absence of coverage.” (NY DOH, April 2026; SPA 21-04)
The one exception: New York Medicaid’s chiropractor manual says Medicaid pays only Medicare coinsurance and deductibles for chiropractic care for Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMBs). (eMedNY Chiropractor Manual)

New York’s model handbook for integrated dual plans describes chiropractic as “a service that is covered only by Medicare.” (NY DOH)

Fidelis chiropractic coverage by plan

Fidelis Care plan	Chiropractic coverage	What to do
Medicaid Managed Care	Not a covered Medicaid benefit for adults	Ask Fidelis about physical therapy or other covered options for back pain
Health and Recovery Plan (HARP)	Follows the Medicaid benefit package	Same as Medicaid Managed Care
Child Health Plus	Not listed on Fidelis’s or the state’s benefit pages	Call Fidelis before booking
Essential Plan	Check your Essential Plan benefit summary	Call Fidelis before booking
Wellcare by Fidelis Care (Medicare Advantage and Dual Advantage)	Covers Medicare-covered spinal manipulation; some plans may add routine visits	Check your 2027 Summary of Benefits
Original Medicare + Medicaid (QMB)	Medicare covers subluxation adjustments; Medicaid pays the Medicare cost sharing	Use a chiropractor who accepts Medicare

Chiropractic with Wellcare by Fidelis Care Medicare plans

Fidelis Care’s Medicare plans are sold under the Wellcare by Fidelis Care name. For 2027, Fidelis lists Medicare Advantage plans (Wellcare Fidelis Assist, Simple and Patriot Simple) and Dual Advantage plans for people with Medicare and Medicaid (Dual Align Unity, Dual Liberty Sync and Dual Access). (Fidelis Care: 2027 Medicare and Dual Advantage plans)

All Medicare Advantage plans must cover what Medicare Part B covers. Medicare.gov says “Part B only covers adjustments of the spine by a chiropractor to correct a subluxation” when the chiropractor uses their hands or a device called an “activator,” and that “Medicare doesn’t cover other services or tests a chiropractor orders, including X-rays, massage therapy, and acupuncture.” In Original Medicare, “after the Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.” (Medicare.gov: Chiropractic services)

Some Medicare Advantage plans also add routine chiropractic visits as an extra benefit. Check the “Chiropractic services” row of your Wellcare Fidelis 2027 Summary of Benefits, or call Wellcare by Fidelis Care at 1-800-247-1447 (TTY 711), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week from October 1 to March 31. Many Wellcare Fidelis plans also include a Wellcare Spendables card; for dental extras, see Wellcare dental 2027.

For more on Medicare’s rules, read does Medicare cover chiropractic care.

Options if chiropractic isn’t covered

Physical therapy: Medicaid and Medicare both cover medically necessary physical therapy. Ask your doctor for a referral. See Medicare physical therapy coverage.
Ask about self-pay rates: Some chiropractors offer lower cash prices or sliding scales.
Check other coverage: If you’ll have Medicare soon or qualify for both programs, read Medicaid vs. Medicare.
Get a written answer: If a provider says Fidelis will pay, ask them to confirm with Fidelis before your visit so you aren’t billed unexpectedly.

How to check your Fidelis coverage

Call Fidelis Care Member Services at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547, TTY 711), available 24/7.
Ask whether chiropractic is covered on your specific plan and whether any referral or prior approval applies.
Check your member handbook or Evidence of Coverage.
If you’re denied a service you believe is covered, ask how to file an appeal.

For other New York Medicaid benefits, see does Medicaid cover vision in New York.

Frequently asked questions

Does Fidelis cover chiropractic?

Fidelis Medicaid generally doesn’t, because New York Medicaid doesn’t cover chiropractic for adults. Fidelis Medicare plans (Wellcare by Fidelis Care) cover Medicare-covered spinal manipulation for subluxation.

Does New York Medicaid cover chiropractors?

No, except that Medicaid pays Medicare coinsurance and deductibles for chiropractic care for Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries. A 2020 proposal to add chiropractic for chronic lower back pain was never finalized.

Does Medicare cover chiropractic adjustments?

Part B covers manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation. It doesn’t cover X-rays, massage or other services a chiropractor orders.

What is Fidelis Care’s phone number?

1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547), TTY 711, 24/7. For Wellcare by Fidelis Care Medicare plans, call 1-800-247-1447 (TTY 711).

This article is general information. Medicare365 is not affiliated with or endorsed by Fidelis Care, Wellcare or any U.S. government agency. Coverage rules can change; confirm with Fidelis Care before you book.