Chiropractic services
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What are chiropractic services
Chiropractic services help to manage conditions of the spine and musculoskeletal system. They aim to restore mobility and alleviate pain and muscle tightness.
Back to topWho can receive it
You may be able to receive chiropractic services if you have an assessed clinical need and a:
- Veteran Gold Card; or
- Veteran White Card and your treatment is for an accepted service-related condition
What you can receive
If you are eligible for chiropractic services, your chiropractor will:
- assess your clinical need for these services; and
- provide you with a record and plan for your treatment
Your treatment may include:
- spinal manipulation; and
- corrective exercise
From 1 October 2019, referrals to this service will be under the Allied Health Services treatment cycle. This means that a referral will last for up to 12 sessions or 1 year, whichever ends first.
These treatment cycles place you at the centre of your care and the general practitioner (GP) as your care coordinator.
There are no limits to the number of treatment cycles you can have.
You can also have:
- a separate treatment cycle for each allied health service you need; and
- treatment cycles for different allied health services at the same time
How you access
1.Get a referral to a chiropractor covered by the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS) from:
- your general practitioner (GP)
- a medical specialist
- your treating doctor in hospital
- a hospital discharge planner
2. Contact your chiropractor to make an appointment. Confirm they will accept your Gold Card or White Card for their services.
Back to topThings you should know
- If eligible, we will pay for services and your chiropractor will bill us.
- We cannot pay for services which are not provided by a DVA service provider. DVA service providers are registered through the Department of Human Services and have an agreement to treat DVA cardholders through special payment arrangements.
- You cannot receive physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic treatment for the same condition at the same time. You should advise your chiropractor if you are receiving treatment for the same condition from a physiotherapist or osteopath.
- We do not cover physiotherapy, osteopathic and chiropractic treatment on the same day.
- If you live in permanent residential aged care your eligibility for chiropractic services may change.
- If you have seen another chiropractor in the last 12 months be sure to let your chiropractor know.
- If you receive a bill from your chiropractor, contact us before paying it. You should not be asked to pay for services covered by your Gold Card or White Card.
What to tell us
If anything changes that could affect your entitlements, you need to let us know within 14 days (or 28 days if you receive the Remote Area Allowance or live overseas).
You should tell us if you:
- cease or close a rehabilitation plan; or
- take up more permanent care arrangements