Many VA primary care providers are routinely discussing the services provided by DCs as an option with their patients.

VA provides chiropractic services on-site at one or more VA facilities in each VISN. VA facilities that do not have on-site chiropractic clinics provide these services via Community Care mechanisms. A list of VA facilities that have established on-site chiropractic clinics is available at http://www.rehab.va.gov/chiro/locations.asp

However, many veterans find they are unable to receive a referral for chiropractic services with their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care provider (PCP) and wonder how they can do so.

Some veterans have found their local VA is reluctant to send them for fee-basis care outside the VA facility, and have required they jump through many hoops to get a referral for a DC.

This is against VA policy and does not go along with VA’s own stated mission to be “veteran-centered.” You should be concerned if your PCP refers you for fee-basis care and someone else at the facility denies that referral. Many times the VA facility is trying to save money by denying fee-basis care delivered by doctors of chiropractic, even though they spend a great deal on numerous other treatments.

If you are denied a referral, there may still be ways to obtain the services delivered by a doctor of chiropractic that you need and deserve. Don't forget that in medicine, the squeaky wheel gets the grease!

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com.