In the past few years, in acknowledgement of the many health benefits chiropractic care provides, a permanent chiropractic care benefit was established for both active duty military personnel and veterans. Currently, there are doctors of chiropractic, or DCs, at 60 military bases around the nation, nevertheless, according to a 2005 Government Accountability Office report, solely 54 percent of men and women in active service have reasonably been recognized as eligible for accessing their benefit and receiving chiropractic treatment. Although many chiropractic services have become available to many military service personnel and veterans, it still remains a necessity to further increase chiropractic access, contribution, and availability for the individuals that most need it.
The Department of Veterans Affairs policy ensures that
veterans can be admitted to receiving chiropractic care. This service is
available according to the availability of a chiropractic doctor on staff and,
if there isn’t a chiropractor on staff, a veteran can ask for a referral to a
chiropractic doctor located outside the organization. While a referral from a
physician is necessary, the veteran has certain appeal rights.
The Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA, established the process
of supplying veterans with an easier connection to chiropractic services by
placing doctors of chiropractic on staff at VA hospitals. The VA has
contributed chiropractic care at approximately 40 major Veterans Affairs
treatment facilities within the United States. Unfortunately, an astounding
amount of U.S. veterans, however, do not have access to chiropractic treatment as
the VA still needs to provide full chiropractic care at approximately 120 of
its other major medical facilities.
When it comes to these services though, chiropractic care is
actually part of the common medical benefits package available to all veterans.
As a result, Veterans Affairs should provide a proper availability of these
services to veterans by having an on-site chiropractic clinic, and by sending
veterans to a private chiropractor using the “fee-basis” approach, where the VA
pays the bill.
There are currently approximately 40 Veterans Affairs
facilities with chiropractic clinics. Over the past years, thousands of
veterans have received chiropractic care at VA clinics as well as through the
fee-basis procedure. Many VA primary care providers are regularly considering
the utilization of chiropractic adjustments and manual manipulations as an
option for their patients. As an active duty military member or a veteran, if
you feel the need to seek chiropractic treatment for any possible injuries or
conditions that may have developed during active duty, discuss your options
with your PCP and explain why you think chiropractic treatment can be a good treatment
option for your particular problem.
An official VA document, which is designed specifically for
individuals interested in searching for chiropractic treatment, can be found
here. This document is to be shared with healthcare providers in the field and/or at
the medical site.
As an active service member or veteran currently interested
in chiropractic care, several basic considerations may apply to you.
Chiropractic care is an effective type of treatment for many types of injuries
and conditions, most specifically focusing on spinal complications, with the
use of chiropractic adjustments, manual manipulations, and occasionally, the
use of physical activity and exercise to speed up an individual’s rehabilitation
process. Additionally, chiropractic treatment is a natural, medication-free
procedure that offers effective results for many individuals.
Chiropractic Care for Older Adults
It’s important to note that chiropractic services are part
of the standard Veterans Affairs benefits and no VA facility should otherwise
inform you that they do not provide chiropractic care. Several veterans have
faced difficulties where their VA is reluctant to send them for fee-basis
chiropractic care and have encountered challenges to simply receive a referral
for chiropractic treatment. Please be aware that this is against Veterans
Affairs policy and does not go along with their own stated mission to be “veteran
centered”.
The VA determines health care eligibility based on a variety
of circumstances, including the type and grade of military injuries, military
service, and a veteran’s financial status.
Contact Us
For Additional Information:
El Paso VA Health Care System
Tri West Healthcare Alliance
Tri West Veteran Sevices
Tri West Provider Forms
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs site
