Acupuncture and Chiropractic Care via VA Community Care: What Veterans Need to Know

Yes, veterans can receive acupuncture and chiropractic care through VA Community Care, but these services require a referral and prior authorization from your VA provider. The VA has established clear guidelines for the number of approved visits, and both VA and community providers have been shown to help veterans with chronic pain.

How to Access Acupuncture and Chiropractic Through VA Community Care

Getting acupuncture or chiropractic care through the VA's Community Care program follows a specific process. The key step is obtaining a referral from your VA primary care provider .

The Referral Process

The process typically begins during an appointment with your VA provider. If they determine that chiropractic or acupuncture treatment is clinically appropriate for your condition, they will submit a Community Care referral .

What happens after the referral is approved:

• The authorization includes the type of treatment, number of visits, and timeframe for those visits
• The VA Community Care office typically contacts the clinic to coordinate scheduling
• TriWest administers the Community Care network and processes claims for authorized services in many regions
• You can also request care through MyHealtheVet Secure Messaging with your VA provider

Veteran Scenario: Using Community Care for Acupuncture An Air Force veteran with chronic back pain discusses treatment options with his VA primary care provider. His provider determines that a Community Care consult is appropriate and submits a referral for acupuncture. Once approved, the veteran receives an authorization for 12 visits over 60 days. The VA Community Care office schedules him with a local provider near his home. He receives his treatments, the provider bills VA directly through the Community Care network, and the veteran has no out-of-pocket costs.

Standard Episodes of Care for Acupuncture and Chiropractic

The VA follows national guidelines called Standard Episodes of Care (SEOC) that define the number of approved visits for these therapies . Here are the current guidelines:

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If the initial trial is successful and further improvement is expected, additional visits may be authorized through the Continuation or Pain Management SEOC pathways .

Effectiveness: VA vs. Community Care

Recent research provides valuable insights into how these therapies work for veterans, whether received through VA or community providers.

What the Research Shows

A 2025 study published in the NIH examined the effectiveness of acupuncture, chiropractic, and medical massage therapy delivered through VA versus Community Care . Key findings include:

• More visits = better outcomes: Veterans with chronic pain who had more CIH therapy visits reported lower levels of pain severity and interference
• VA acupuncture and chiropractic showed a stronger beneficial relationship with pain than community care versions
• Conversely, community care medical massage therapy showed a stronger beneficial relationship than VA medical massage

A 2024 study published in PLOS ONE similarly found that veterans receiving acupuncture and chiropractic care showed modest improvements at six months, with no meaningful differences in outcomes between VA and community providers . This suggests the choice between VA and community care can be based on other factors like convenience.

How Many Visits Are Needed?

The research also looked at dosage. When extrapolating to 12 visits of acupuncture therapy at the VA, veterans experienced clinically meaningful improvements in pain interference . This reinforces the importance of completing the course of treatment authorized by your VA provider.

Tips for Veterans

1. Start with your VA provider. Request a referral for acupuncture or chiropractic care through your primary care team.

2. Know your visit limits. The initial authorization typically covers 12 visits. If you need more, your provider can request a continuation or pain management SEOC.

3. No copay required. Once authorized, these services are covered with no copayment when provided by VA or through Community Care .

4. Choose based on your needs. Research shows both VA and community care options can be effective. Consider convenience, location, and provider expertise when deciding where to receive care .

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice. It is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA policies, coverage, and program details change always verify current information with your VA care team or on VA.gov before acting. For individual medical advice, consult your VA healthcare provider.