It may surprise you to learn the great variation in the average case cost for low back pain in each state
A study1 of 1989 workers' compensation data from Liberty Mutual revealed Texas to be the most expensive place to file a low back case (average cost $17,714), and Indiana to be the best bargain (average cost $2,684). According to the data, a low back case in Texas has the dubious distinction of costing nearly seven times that of Indiana. It is this wide disparity in treatment protocols that makes one enthusiastic and appreciative of the clinical low back pain guidelines developed by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR).
Compare your state with the national average of $8,321 per case: ...................................$
| Alabama | $5,098 |
| Alaska | $8,088 |
| Arizona | $4,729 |
| Arkansas | $6,902 |
| California | $7,761 |
| Colorado | $6,825 |
| Connecticut | $12,424 |
| Delaware | $3,870 |
| Florida | $10,945 |
| Georgia | $6,053 |
| Hawaii | $9,889 |
| Idaho | $4,342 |
| Illinois | $8,790 |
| Indiana | $2,684 |
| Iowa | $4,875 |
| Kansas | $5,091 |
| Kentucky | $6,158 |
| Louisiana | $12,928 |
| Maine | $7,048 |
| Maryland | $8,241 |
| Massachusetts | $14,516 |
| Michigan | $7,148 |
| Minnesota | $8,527 |
| Mississippi | $5,799 |
| Missouri | $4,710 |
| Montana | $5,536 |
| Nebraska | $3,848 |
| New Hampshire | $l0,305 |
| New Jersey | $7,682 |
| New Mexico | $11,846 |
| New York | $7,564 |
| North Carolina | $4,689 |
| Oklahoma | $8,974 |
| Oregon | $5,734 |
| Pennsylvania | $10,590 |
| Rhode Island | $17,279 |
| South Carolina | $5,265 |
| South Dakota | $3,715 |
| Tennessee | $5,588 |
| Texas | $17,714 |
| Utah | $3,808 |
| Vermont | $5,241 |
| Virginia | $6,165 |
| Washington, D.C. | $12,126 |
| Wisconsin | $3,774 |
Recent laws in New Jersey and California represent a disturbing trend that will negatively impact a practice’s ability to collect monies from patients, as well as expose them to significant penalties if the practice does not follow the mandatory guidelines to a T. Please be aware that a similar law may be coming to your state. The time to act is before the law is passed.
Each year, ICD-10-CM is updated on Oct. 1. For 2026, there are 74,179 total codes, with 487 additions, 28 deletions and 38 revisions. Code changes are based on date of service, not the claim submission date. Services performed on/after Oct. 1 must use the new codes. While no changes affect the common spinal or extraspinal codes most frequently used by DCs, several updates may still affect your claims – particularly for comorbidities, referred pain, or trauma cases.
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Southern California University of Health Sciences has entered into an agreement with Pacific College of Health and Science whereby PCHS’ San Diego and Chicago campuses – including students, faculty, staff, and academic programs – will join SCU effective May 2026, pending regulatory approval. Founded in 1986 as Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, PCHS is not only the largest acupuncture / herbal medicine school in the U.S., but also offers integrative health curriculum in holistic nursing and massage therapy.
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