Minnesota chiropractors: New law will have some customers paying all out of pocket

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) — “Patients will have to understand that they will have to pay out of pocket for the examination that is done, when they first come in for treatment, and the actual care that is delivered over a period of time. They will have to pay one hundred percent out of their own pocket for that care,” said Dr. Chuck Sawyer, Chair of Legislative Committee for Minnesota Chiropractic Association and Lobbyist for Northwestern Health Sciences University.

What healthcare providers call Minnesota’s cost-effective forms of treatment will not be as accessible for some people beginning in 2026. Minnesota lawmakers repealed the use of a chiropractor for medical services under both Minnesota Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare for adults 21 and up.

“Chiropractor care is generally more accessible, and again, as I mentioned, especially in small towns, there may not be a medical physician nearby. And the chiropractor doctor may be the only doctor that they will typically see. So it’s going to be disruptive.”

In Moorhead, Dr. Beth Nokken is one of the few chiropractors in the area who accept Medicare and other insurance at her clinic. She says that due to the treatment already being cost-effective, other clinics typically don’t offer the option to pay with insurance.

“At our office, anyway, we see quite a few Medicaid patients. So it’s not only going to be a hit to me as a professional, but the reality is it’s really limiting them in their healthcare.”

Services provided by chiropractors can reduce or avoid the need for prescription painkillers and surgery.

“If you take a person who’s in pain, and they seek out chiropractic care or compare that to going to a different profession looking for medication to manage their pain, or physical therapy to manage their pain, or even spinal injections. We are so much more affordable.”

Dr. Nokken says she intends to send a letter to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to appeal this new law.