Frequently Asked Questions

Questions:

Do you accept Insurance?

Community Chiropractic accepts many insurance plans. Because many companies frequently change their policies, it is sometimes difficult to accurately estimate our patient's insurance co-payment. As a courtesy, we ask that you keep us informed of any change to your insurance coverage. It is important that all information about you is current.

Co-Payment: All co-payments are due when you check in at the front desk.

HMO Patients: All patients with HMO insurance coverage must have a referral from their primary care physician. Obtaining a referral is the patient's responsibility. We cannot obtain the referral for you, and the referral cannot be obtained retroactively. If you do not have a referral, we will be happy to see you on a cash/fee for service basis or re-schedule your appointment, but your medical insurance company will not pay for your treatment without a timely referral.

Medicare Patients: Medicare pays us directly for your care. You are responsible for any deductible and co-insurance. If Medicare denies your procedure, you are responsible for the charges.

Private and Group Insurance in Network i.e. Blue Cross, Personal Choice , Keystone, Aetna:
As courtesy, we will file your insurance claims for you. Upon receipt of an insurance payment, any balance due will be billed to you. If you have deposited an excessive co-payment, it will be refunded to you.

Private and Group Insurance Out of Network
i.e. Cigna, and United Health Care, etc.: We will be happy to see you on a Fee for Service or cash basis. As courtesy, we will generate receipts and assist you with submission of these claims to your insurance plan. You will receive reimbursement directly from your health insurance provider. Many of these plans do offer substantial out of network benefits. Contact your health insurance company and ask about your plan's out of network benefits. We offer payment plans for those who require long term treatment.

If you have any questions or concerns, please ask our staff. They are well informed, up-to-date and available to speak with you.

What can I expect on my first visit?

Our first step is always a thorough consultation to ask you about the health complaints about which you are chiefly concerned. We will also ask about your family history, dietary habits, other care you may have had (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical, etc.). Consultation are always done at no charge.

Beyond the consultation... A physical examination will be performed in accordance with our clinical judgement, which may include x-rays, and other orthopedic and neurological diagnostic procedures. In addition, a careful spinal examination and analysis will be performed to detect any structural or functional abnormalities which may be affecting or causing your condition. All of these elements are important components of your total health profile, and vital to the doctor of chiropractic in evaluating your problem.

Need more information ... Join us for our intro night, Chiropractic: Myths and Facts, Wednesday evenings at 7:00. This 25 minute program covers what chiropractor is, what chiropractors do and how our office may be of service to you should the need ever arise. Light refreshments are served. Please call and let us know you coming.

Does Chiropractic hurt?

Under normal circumstances, adjustments don't hurt. The patient may experience a minor amount of discomfort during the adjustment which lasts only seconds. Some soreness during the initial stages of care can also be expected as the spine begins to adapt to new functional and structural patterns. This soreness is similar to that experiernced when starting up a new exercise routine.

What kind of education and training do doctors of chiropractic have?

Chiropractors receive an education that emphasizes neuromuscular diagnosis and treatment. Preparation for the practice of chiropractic is concentrated on three areas of learning; basic training in the biological and health sciences (anatomy, physiology, histology, biochemistry, clinical and radiological diagnosis); specialized training in the chiropractic discipline (theoretical studies, practice, diagnosis and applications); and extensive clinical training.

In addition to his chiropractic degree Dr. Legnola has taken advanced study in whiplash injuries and motor vehicle crash forensic risk analysis.

Is Chiropractic safe?

Chiropractic adjustments or manipulations are extremely safe. The risk factor is estimated to be in excess of one million to one.

My group is interested in having the Dr. speak on automobile safety and or spinal health. How do I make arrangements for this.

Just contact our office via phone or use the "contact us" link on this web site to make arrangments to have us come and speak. To ensure our availability contact us a month or two ahead of the date you would like us to come speak.

Workshops done within 25 minutes driving distance of the Blue Bell area done at no charge. Travel fees may apply for greater distances.

We offer two different health programs:

1) Auto Safety Facts Program. This program takes about an hour and is useful for anyone who drives or rides in a car. It covers topics from proper use of child restraint systems, air bags, ABS, drunk driving and more. Highlights inculde video of certified safety technitions installing child car seats, and actual human volunteer crash test video we shot at the Spine Research Institute of San Diego. The program can be customized to focus on specific topics depending on a groups demographics.

2) How to Sit, Stand, and Sleep Your Way to a Healthier Spine. This program runs about 45 minutes to an hour. We discuss how daily routine activities such as your work enviornement, sleep environment, posture, etc., can have a great influence on the health of your spine over the course of your lifetime.

What conditions/symptoms benefit from chiropractic care?

This is a loaded question. Our office focuses on the improving the structure and function of the spine. During examination process we look to uncover any structural/functional abnormalities ( irregular curvatures, unlevel hips/pelvis, prematurely arthritic joints, etc) that may be present. Frequently if left uncorrected these abnormalities will give rise to secondary conditions such as back pain, neck pain, compressed nerves, compressed or dengerated discs and so on. By improving and optimizing spinal structure and function, many times these secondary conditions begin to resolve.

So to answer the question, "What conditions beneftit from chiropractic care?". Structural and functional abnomalities of the spine and the secondary conditions that accompany them.

Here is a list of common conditions that often respond to chiropractic care.

Whiplash
Sprains/Strains
Sciatica
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Low Back Pain
Headaches
Stiff Joints
Osteoarthiritis
Degenerated (compressed)discs
Herniated Discs
Numbness/Tingling
Pinched Nerves
Neck Pain
Back Pain related to pregnancy

We take great pride in caring for our patients, and understand that no one healthcare provider can solve every problem. When appropriate, we will refer to other local healthcare providers to make sure that a patients needs are met.

How often do I need to be seen?

The amount of care you need depends on the condition that you have. Generally for chiropractic care patients will present in one of the following four situations:

1) A complicated spinal condition
2) A simple spinal condition
3) Wellcare
4) As needed care

Complicated spinal conditions can take weeks to months of consistant care to reach resolution. People in this category typically have long standing pain issues (headaches, back pain, neck pain, numbness/tingling, etc) that have failed to respond to other methods of treatment. Upon examination it is often discovered that the pain that these individuals are experiencing is secondary to long standing structural/functional problems that have previously gone undetected and/or untreated.

Simple spinal episodes usual involve pain that is acute and not related to any major underlying long standing issues. These conditions generally resolve within a few visits to a few weeks.

Wellcare patients generally are seen several times per year to help maintain their spine in healthy state. We do encourage our patients to take care of all elements of their health on consitant and regular basis and visits may include basic home exercise and nutritional recommendations. It is always easier to keep someone well than to fix someone when they are having a problem.

As needed patients come in when they feel they are having a minor flare-up of a chronic condition.

It does not matter if you are a first time chiropractic patient or having been using chiropractic for a lifetime. We will sit down and discuss your needs and after a careful evaluation give you our recommendation for the type of care that will serve you best.