A Guide to Accessing DVA-Approved Chiropractic Care

Under the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), Australian veterans are able to receive subsidised healthcare treatment from allied health professionals including chiropractors.

Chiropractic care can address spinal and related musculoskeletal problems experienced by veterans including chronic back and neck pain, lumbar spondylosis, disc herniation, and arthritis.

Eligibility for fully subsidised chiropractic care under the DVA will depend on the cardholder status (white/gold cards) and clinical conditions. This guide explains the eligibility criteria and process for accessing DVA-approved chiropractic treatment.

Is Chiropractic Care Covered for All Veterans? 

Chiropractic care coverage under the DVA is different for Gold and White Veteran cardholders. Orange Veteran cardholders are not eligible for chiropractic care cover.

Gold veteran cardholders are eligible for fully funded chiropractic care, regardless of the type of condition or whether the condition is related to military service. In short, Gold card veterans will not need to pay any out of pocket fees for chiropractic treatment. 

Veteran cardholders are only eligible for chiropractic care that directly applies to a musculoskeletal condition related to military service. Conditions are typically presented as chronic back pain, sciatica, and knee pain that developed during or as a result of the veteran’s active service.

What Services Are Covered Under DVA Chiropractic Care?

DVA funding fully covers all clinically necessary chiropractic services, including: 

• Consultations and diagnosis of conditions or injuries
• Spinal adjustments and alignments
• Manual therapy, such as static and motion palpation
• X-ray and imaging services (only for qualified providers who have registered with the DVA)
• Specialist treatment for chronic conditions like arthritis, sciatica, disc bulge/herniation, and scoliosis
• Advice on pain management and recovery 

Treatment coverage for other chiropractic conditions not listed above will depend on the DVA’s list of accepted conditions. Your chiropractor will be able to provide more solid answers on whether your injury or condition will be eligible for funding.

The Process for Accessing DVA-Funded Chiropractic Care

Step 1: Check Eligibility  

Those with a valid White or Gold Veteran card are eligible for fully subsidised chiropractic care. If you are a White Veteran cardholder, you are eligible for chiropractic care to treat a condition related to your service. If you’re a Gold Veteran cardholder, you’re eligible for support across more conditions that may or may not be related to your service.

Step 2: Get a Referral

To be able to access DVA-funded chiropractic care, you will need a referral from an authorised medical practitioner, whether it’s your GP, a specialist, or a hospital discharge planner.

The referral for chiropractic care will be valid for 1 year or 12 sessions, whichever occurs first; which is considered a full treatment cycle. After each treatment cycle, you must obtain a new referral to continue accessing DVA-funded chiropractic treatment.

There is no maximum to the number of treatment cycles, it will be determined by your referring doctor and how the treatment progresses.

Step 3: Book an Appointment With a DVA-Approved Chiropractor 

If you are approved for DVA chiropractic funding, you can choose which clinic to visit. However, it’s important to ensure that the clinic accepts DVA-funded clients before booking an appointment. 

Only Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registered chiropractors who are approved by the DVA can provide fully funded chiropractic care. Not all chiropractors will work with DVA funding.

Step 4: Receive a Treatment Plan

For your first appointment, bring your DVA Veteran Card and referral letter. The chiropractor will use the first session to confirm your details, understand your pain/condition, and create a treatment plan.

You will not need to pay any out-of-pocket costs - the treatment will be billed directly to the DVA. Chiropractors or allied health providers are not allowed to charge gap fees to DVA-funded veterans. 

Spinal Works Chiropractic is an approved provider of chiropractic care for Veteran cardholders in North Queensland. Our chiropractors apply the Gonstead Method to make accurate, non-invasive adjustments to the spine to reduce pain and correct interference to the central nervous system. Our chiropractic clinics are in Townsville and Cairns - book an appointment with our specialist chiropractors to get personalised care for your injury, condition, or back pain.