How to See a Chiro Under DVA as a Veteran

by | Feb 17, 2025 | DVA, referral to see a Chiropractor | 0 comments

Convenience: Location, Opening Hours, and HICAPS/Private Health Claiming
Dr Jed Shepherd

How to See a Chiro Under DVA as a Veteran

At Fortitude Chiropractic, we have the pleasure of looking after many veterans with various musculoskeletal complaints, including neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, to name a few. We find that people serving in the army are more familiar with seeing physiotherapists for pain and injury. Often, there is a lack of familiarity with what chiropractors do or how they can access chiropractic care after leaving active service.

Common Service-Related Injuries

The most common injuries experienced by those in active service include (1):

  • Lumbar Spine Injuries
  • Knee Injuries
  • Shoulder Injuries
  • Ankle & Foot Injuries

How to Access Chiropractic Under DVA

The Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) provides information on how they can apply for a DVA card when leaving the army. To access chiropractic care under DVA, you will need a white or a gold card:

  • White Card: This means DVA has approved your treatment for certain injuries, such as an ankle sprain, lower back pain, or a shoulder injury.
  • Gold Card: This means you are approved for chiropractic treatment across the board.

When claiming treatment under DVA, you will need a referral from your GP. Most GPs are familiar with the referral process and required forms. Patients receiving ongoing treatment under DVA will need to get another referral from their GP every 12 visits.

One of the local GPs we recommend who is highly experienced with DVA is Dr Graham Hammond at the West Coast Health Alliance, a veteran-specific healthcare clinic in Joondalup. We suggest that all patients managing musculoskeletal conditions under DVA have a consistent, regular doctor. Chronic conditions may require co-management, such as communication between practitioners regarding management, scan referrals, and updates on treatment progress.

How to Find a DVA Chiropractor

Finding a Chiropractor that accepts DVA patients can be challenging. Not all chiropractic clinics bulk bill DVA directly. In some cases, you may need to pay the full consult fee upfront and then claim it back through DVA, possibly resulting in a gap payment and more time spent on admin.

Some clinics, including ours, are familiar with the DVA billing process and will directly send invoices to DVA, saving you the hassle. To find a DVA chiropractor near you, check online. Most clinics will specify the referrals they accept, their pricing, and whether they can bill DVA directly for your consult fees.

At Fortitude Chiropractic, we are well-versed in DVA protocols and happily bulk bill DVA white or gold cardholders as long as you have an approved referral from your doctor.

Getting Prepared for Your Appointment

After booking, ensure you have:

  1. Your referral from your doctor, ideally specifying the chiropractic clinic you wish to attend.
  2. Your past medical records, especially those relevant to your complaint.
  3. Your DVA card details, including the specific conditions covered (for white cardholders).
  4. Any relevant scan results.

Most clinics appreciate it if you email this information beforehand, allowing the team to review it and prepare for your consultation.

How We Help Veterans Recover at Fortitude Chiropractic

We follow a four-step process for managing pain and injury:

  1. Getting to Know You and Your Problem: We learn about your injury history, how it affects you, and your treatment goals.
  2. Creating and Implementing a Plan: We discuss your preferences, previous treatments, and outline a medium- and long-term rehabilitation plan.
  3. Supporting You Throughout Your Treatment Journey: This includes follow-ups or check-ins to assess your progress and ensure you’re on track.

Supporting You Beyond Pain: We provide ongoing care if needed and guide you on long-term exercises to support your recovery.

How We Help Veterans Recover at Fortitude Chiropractic

Let’s Get You Back on Track!

Book online here or call (08) 6184 8835 to start your recovery journey

References

  1. Hurst, C., Brown, D., & Weston, M. (2024). Musculoskeletal injuries in Australian Defence Force Special Operations trainees: Incidence and risk factors. Military Medicine, 189(11-12), 1107-1114. https://doi.org/10.1093/mil

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