This section is meant as a useful guide for obtaining services such as Chiropractic, Medical Massage & Acupuncture through the VA. It is important to note that we cannot authorize visits nor help obtain them. The first step must be visiting your local VA for a health evaluation. Saying you would like to try Chiropractic, specifically at Smith Chiropractic & Wellness Center, is extremely helpful. The VA in Lebanon is VERY familiar with our practice and loves to see vets get the care they deserve. If interested in Medical Massage, you simply need to request Chiropractic care. The MTs practice under the doctor’s license, so authorization for Chiropractic care will include the Medical Massage. You may receive up to a 30min massage if you include Chiropractic care in the visit. If not, you may receive up to an hour. Initially, we’ve seen 12 visits get authorized that must be used in 90 days. After that, another 6 visit is authorized only after visiting the VA again. Our role is simply to send notes. We have no say in obtaining additional or initial visits. Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions!
VA Visit Authorization Process
Schedule An Appointment At One of Our Locations HERE. The first visit must include a NP Chiropractic Visit.
Chiropractic On The Front Lines For Veterans
Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) are specifically trained to evaluate, diagnose and manage neuro-musculoskeletal conditions – a leading complaint among Veterans – including acute, subacute and chronic low back and neck pain, as well as headaches and general health concerns. In addition, DCs are integrated with primary care, rehabilitation, pain management and other specialty teams to provide safe, effective and drug-free care to active-duty military personnel and Veterans.
Military life is fraught with physical challenges. Carrying heavy loads, running with body armor, and jumping out of planes can have a long-term impact on a person’s body. Of the 9 million patients served annually in the department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, more than half experience chronic pain. 25% of Veterans consistently report low back pain (LBP). Veterans are 2x more likely than non-veterans to die from accidental overdoses of highly addictive painkillers.
Solution: Make Chiropractic part of the integrated care that Veterans receive for LBP. The VA now provides Chiropractic care at approximately 70 major VA treatment facilities within the U.S. There is currently an effort to require the VA to provide Chiropractic care to all its medical treatment centers by the end of 2020.
During 2012-2017, overall opioid Rx reduced by as much as 66% in some VA facilities. VA now offers non-drug treatment options for chronic pain, such as Chiropractic care, which includes spinal manipulation therapy.
Chiropractic care is included in the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Benefits Package, the standard health benefits plan generally available to all enrolled Veterans.
Evidence shows teat patients receiving Chiropractic care are:
- Less likely to use other healthcare services that are more costly and have greater risk, such as opiate medications, spinal imaging and injections, and elective spinal surgeries
- Have lower overall healthcare costs for episodes of non-operative spine related disorders
Eligible Veterans (VA members) can receive Chiropractic care through the VA’s outpatient fee-basis program after a referral by their primary care provider (PCP), and prior authorization approval by the VA department or the VA third-party administrator (TPA), TriWest. In addition, Veterans can obtain Chiropractic care in community Chiropractic facilities for musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.