The Veterans Choice Act (VCA) created in 2014, provides funding for veterans to receive acupuncture treatment outside of the VA (Veterans Administration).
The VCA was created to address delays in health care access for veterans. The VCA program provides for outside care when a veteran lives more than 40 miles from the nearest VA hospital or encounters waits of more than 30 days for an appointment. Acupuncture is not a service offered by the VA in house, so the VA has designated contracted acupuncturists as “Choice Providers” to administer treatment for veterans.
The VA will pay 100% for acupuncture treatments. For a veteran to receive treatment, they will need to contact their VA doctor and ask for an authorization to see a “Choice Provider”. Once the acupuncturist receives the authorization, the veteran can begin treatments. The number of treatments a veteran receives depends on the condition being treated.
Acupuncture can treat a wide range of illnesses. Some conditions that can be addressed through the program are pain management, opioid addiction, PTSD, insomnia, and digestive disorders among others.
Many veterans are suffering from chronic pain. The Veterans Choice Program offers an opportunity for veterans to benefit from acupuncture, a safe and effective modality to relieve suffering without cost to the veterans.
