Chiropractic and massage care for veterans, through VA Community Care
If you're enrolled in VA health care, the VA may pay for your chiropractic care and massage therapy here. You'll need a referral from your VA care team first. This page walks you through it, one step at a time.
Short answer: yes, the VA covers chiropractic care.
Chiropractic care is part of the VA's standard medical benefits for eligible veterans. Massage therapy is covered too, when your VA care team approves it. When there's no VA chiropractor close to you, or the wait is too long, the VA can send you to a community clinic like ours.
We're in the VA Community Care Network through TriWest Healthcare Alliance.
Sources: VA Chiropractic Service · VA Community Care Network
Give your VA care team our details
Your VA team uses these to send the referral to the right clinic. Copy them, print them, or show this screen at your appointment.
- Clinic
- Cunningham Chiropractic & Wellness
- Address
- 9017 S Pecos Rd, Suite 4555, Henderson, NV 89074
- Phone
- (310) 447-5131
- Care to request
- Community care for chiropractic care and/or massage therapy
Want both? Ask for chiropractic and massage as two separate referrals.
How to get started
Ask your VA care team for a referral.
Ask at your next appointment, call your VA clinic, or send your care team a secure message on My HealtheVet. Say you'd like community care for chiropractic, massage therapy, or both, at Cunningham Chiropractic & Wellness.
Give them our details.
Share the referral card above so the referral reaches the right clinic.
The VA reviews it.
Your VA team decides whether community care is right for you and how many visits to approve. TriWest Healthcare Alliance, which runs the VA's community care network in our region, sends us the authorization.
We call you to book.
Once your authorization reaches us, we'll call you to set up your first visit. Bring a photo ID and your Veteran Health Identification Card.
Who can use VA Community Care?
Your VA facility makes the decision. You'll need to be enrolled in VA health care and have approval from your VA care team. Then at least one of these usually applies:
- The care you need isn't offered at a VA facility.
- Getting it at the VA would mean too long a drive or too long a wait. The VA's standards are a 30-minute drive or a 20-day wait for primary care, and a 60-minute drive or a 28-day wait for specialty care.
- You and your VA provider agree that community care is in your best medical interest.
- You live in a state or territory without a full-service VA facility.
- The VA can't provide the care within its quality standards.
You can always choose to get your care at a VA facility instead.
What it costs you
We bill the VA, never you.
For visits the VA has approved, we send the bill to the VA. If your VA benefits include a copay for this kind of care, the VA bills you for it directly, the same as care at a VA clinic. We can't collect VA copays.
How many visits?
Your approval says how many visits are covered and for how long. It varies by VA facility and by your condition. If you're near the end and still need care, ask your VA team whether more visits make sense; we'll send them what they need.
Travel pay.
If you qualify for VA travel pay, approved community care visits can count. Ask us for a proof-of-attendance note at each visit, and file within 30 days.
Care for what years of service leave behind
Many veterans come in with pain that's been building for years: backs and knees that carried heavy loads, old injuries that never fully settled, tension that won't let go. Chiropractic care and massage therapy can help with:
Questions veterans ask
Do I need a referral?
Yes, for the VA to pay. Ask your VA care team for a community care referral first; we can't bill the VA without an approved authorization. You're also welcome to see us outside the VA, as a regular patient.
How long does approval take?
It varies by VA facility. When your authorization reaches us, we'll call you. If it's been a while, call us and we'll check whether it has arrived.
Do chiropractic and massage need separate referrals?
Ask for each one you want. They're separate services, so each one usually needs its own approval.
Can I switch to you from another community provider?
Ask your VA care team for a new referral that names our clinic. We'll call you when it arrives.
What's the difference between TriWest and TRICARE?
TriWest runs the VA's community care network in the western states and handles referrals for veterans using VA health care. TRICARE is the health plan for active-duty service members, military retirees and their families. They're separate programs.
Will I have to pay anything?
For care the VA has approved, we bill the VA, never you. If your VA benefits include a copay, the VA bills you for it directly, the same as care at a VA clinic. We can't collect VA copays.
Can I get VA travel pay?
If you qualify for VA travel pay, approved community care visits can count. Ask us for a proof-of-attendance note at each visit, and file within 30 days.
Can I still get care at the VA?
Yes. Community care is an option, not a requirement. You can always choose a VA facility instead.
Helpful VA links
- VA community care: how it worksva.gov
- Am I eligible for community care?va.gov
- What the community care network coversva.gov
- VA copay ratesva.gov
- VA travel payva.gov
- Send your VA team a secure message (My HealtheVet)va.gov
- Find your VA facilityva.gov
- TriWest: VA Community Care Networktriwest.com
- Veterans Crisis Line (988, press 1)veteranscrisisline.net
If you're in crisis or having thoughts of hurting yourself, call the Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1. Or text 838255. It's free, confidential and open 24/7.
Questions about your referral?
Call (310) 447-5131, or send us a note and we'll call you back.
Send us a note
Tell us a little and we'll call you back.
Cunningham Chiropractic & Wellness is an independent clinic. We are not part of the Department of Veterans Affairs.