Veterans Affairs
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| Watch this video to see how veterans in the VA health care system receive essential services from doctors of chiropractic. |
In recent years, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has started the long-overdue process of providing veterans with access to chiropractic care by placing doctors of chiropractic on staff at VA hospitals. The process of integrating chiropractic care in the VA system was initiated after Congress enacted a series of statues—Public Law 108-170 and Public Law 107-135—that reinforced a permanent chiropractic benefit within the VA health care system and specifically directed the VA to hire doctors of chiropractic to provide care for veterans.
As a result of the above-referenced congressional directives, the VA now provides chiropractic care (via hired or contracted staff) at 47 major VA treatment facilities within the United States. Unfortunately, an overwhelming majority of America’s veterans still do not have access to chiropractic care because the VA has taken no action to provide chiropractic care at more than 100 of its major medical facilities.
Despite important data demonstrating a critical need for chiropractic services within the VA, the disparity in access has been allowed to persist. Recent VA data (Analysis of VA Health Care Utilization among Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Veterans, February 2010) cite “diseases of musculoskeletal system/connective system,” such as back pain, as the number one ailment of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans accessing VA treatment.
H.R. 921, Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act
U.S. Representative Mike Michaud, D-ME, has introduced HR 921 — the “Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act.” If signed into law, HR 921 would require the VA to have a chiropractic physician on staff at all major VA medical facilities by 2016.
View the full text of HR 921. Contact your Member of Congressand urge them to cosponsor HR 921.
S. 422, Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act of 2013
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-CT, introduced S. 422 – the “Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act of 2013” as a companion to the House version introduced by Mr. Michaud. If signed into law, S. 422 would require the VA to have a chiropractic physician on staff at all major VA medical facilities by 2016.
View the full text of S. 422. Contact your Senator and urge them to cosponsor S. 422.
Resources for doctors of chiropractic seeing VA patients
The American Chiropractic Association has posted information for providers working with, or who would like to see patients through the VA Non-VA Care program.
Medical care provided to eligible Veterans outside of VA when VA facilities are not available. Non-VA Care is used when VA medical facilities are not “feasibly available.” The local VA medical facility has criteria to determine whether Non-VA Care may be used. If a Veteran is eligible for certain medical care, the VA hospital or clinic should provide it as the first option. If they can’t – due to a lack of available specialists, long wait times, or extraordinary distances from the Veteran’s home – the VA may consider Non-VA Care in the Veteran’s community.
Non-VA Care Provider Information
Once Purchased Care (non-VA Care) is authorized, Veterans may seek treatment from a provider in their community. This guide details what non-VA providers should expect in terms of authorizations and referrals, claims payment, and the return of medical documentation back to the authorizing VA Medical Center (VAMC).
Becoming a Non-VA Care Provider Information
This link includes information on contacting your local VA facility and payment system registration.
Letter to Veterans Affairs Legislation Conferees
The ACA recently wrote the House and Senate veteran legislation conferees urging them to adopt pro-chiropractic provisions in their final bill. Read the letter here.
New: Information Regarding Recently Passed Veterans Law
Letter to Veterans Affairs Legislation Conferees
Veterans Affairs fact sheet on chiropractic
Read this fact sheet to learn more about chiropractic in the VA
Veterans Affairs facilities offering chiropractic services
For a list of the 47 major VA medical facilities offering chiropractic services, click here
Veterans: How to receive the services provided by a Doctor of Chiropractic
For veterans seeking chiropractic care, please read this advisory to learn how to access this important service provided to you as part of your medical benefits.