Whole Health and Acupuncture at VA Health

 

HOW TO GET ACUPUNCTURE AND OTHER SERVICES @ VA

 THE VA PAYS FOR YOUR VISITS 

Many veterans don't know the VA has programs for whole health and wellness.  These programs are designed to help veterans use more holistic services.  Many of us want to avoid medication if possible and find healthier ways to be healthy. 

The journey to "whole health" services may be confusing for some.  The VA has the services themselves listed on their website found here Whole Health Home (va.gov) 

OK! So, you are a veteran, and you know these services exist now!  How do you get to use them?

Let's go on a journey for Acupuncture as an example! 

There are two things to consider before we go down this road. 

1) If the provider is registered with the VA.

2) If the provider is NOT registered with the VA.

Today's journey is focused on a registered provider.  I'll put some notes on the bottom talking about what happens if they are NOT registered. 

Step #1 Go to VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs, set up an account if you do not have one. 

Step #2 VA Health Care | Veterans Affairs check out your healthcare benefits.  

Step #3 Go to Home - My HealtheVet - My HealtheVet (va.gov) get an appointment with your general practitioner. 

Step #4 Your appointment can be physical or virtual depending on what you and your provider discuss and determine.  At your appointment with your provider ask for a referral to the whole health team. In this specific case, ask for the Acupuncturist.  Your doctor can advise you accordingly, but these services do exist, and you can use them.  

Veterans CAN get acupuncture services through insurance in the local VA system. 

Many veterans suffer physical conditions (like arthritis, joints pains, muscular pains, and skeletal pains) and mental conditions (like post-combat stress, PTSD, depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, insomnia, anger, flashbacks, operational stress, battle-mind stress, and running thoughts), which can easily be helped by Acupuncture.

Step #5 Meet with the Acupuncturist at the VA that you have been referred to. From here, depending on where you live you can either see the local in-house Acupuncturist or go to a provider who is part of in network Community Care. 

The concept of Community Care may be confusing but think about it this way.  The VA healthcare system doesn't have enough people, resources, or places to serve everyone. They needed to extend their provider network and outsource some of the work.  The VA works with Optum VA Community Care Network | Optum and TriWest Health to gain services of registered providers. 

When you get a referral from your VA provider the referral comes from the VA and the VA is ACCOUNTABLE for the outcome, but Community Care providers perform the services. 

The approval can be for acute or chronic care which may amount to regular visits depending on the VA’s decision. Often, I have seen these limited to eight visits. 

Can I see a provider of my choice?

Yes and.... There are a few conditions that must be met before this can happen. As I mentioned at the start of this post, your provider needs to be in the network.  

You can find out if they are in the network using this tool Find VA Locations | Veterans Affairs 

If they are NOT in the network, they need to go through a process to get in and this will take a lot of time. They may not easily get in and this may delay treatment.  

Click the link above to take you to a PDF if you need to see this better. 

Detailed Information

Coverage for Family Members: Generally, VA benefits are primarily for eligible veterans. Coverage for family members, such as spouses and children, may vary based on the veteran’s status, eligibility, and specific benefit programs. Spouses and children may have separate eligibility for certain benefits, but coverage specifics would depend on the circumstances.

Coverage for Veterans from Other States: VA benefits are typically available to eligible veterans regardless of the state they reside in. However, the availability of specific services and benefits may vary based on the VA healthcare system in the state or region.

Coverage Details: Coverage details, such as the number of acupuncture sessions covered, copay, and percentage coverage can vary based on factors such as the veteran’s eligibility status, the specific VA health plan, and any changes in policies. It’s best to contact the VA or refer to their official resources for the most accurate coverage details.

Conditions Covered and CPT Codes: VA coverage for acupuncture may vary based on the medical condition and specific circumstances, and they do cover the acupuncture based on the referral/authorization and how many you request, and how many are allowed.

Acupuncture services will be covered based on the authorization only.

For precise information regarding VA acupuncture coverage, including coverage details, eligibility criteria, and specific requirements, please reach out to the VA directly through your official channels, such as their website or customer service. They can provide you with the most accurate and current information based on your specific situation.

Shipmate on a Shelf

 This week I have been in touch with many fellow veterans who have struggled to navigate the VA. It prompted me to think about how I can do a better job in service to my brothers and sisters struggling on their journey through health, wellness, and experience at the VA.

I don’t work for the VA, and I don’t have any special superpowers when it comes to the VA, but I am watching, listening, learning, testing, and advocating for change and advances in care for veterans. When I see something repeatable and usable, I have a responsibility to share how we can all solve for x.

I realize that results may vary even though I may have seen something work more than once but it is worth the effort to try.

The idea of “Shipmate on a shelf” comes from my experience with people over the years. Days, weeks, months and even years may pass before I reconnect with people for many reasons. People in my circle are always in my heart whether they’ve come from my military service or if I developed a relationship with them in some other way. We are “Shipmates” of sorts whether coming from a ship or another entity! When people call, I do my best to help them. With that, I consider myself a “Shipmate on the shelf” as ready as one can be to help others and be of service. I know others that would do the same and I have counted on them throughout the years just as they count on me.

Moving forward, I’ll tag or identify posts this way when this context applies.

Semper Fortis

Leadership and Stuff

Walking in the Sun

I was walking this morning down the street, getting my steps and as I walked, I listened to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToLPdSnrj8k it was just after I asked my phone for “walking mindfulness.”

The sun was in front of me, and I closed my eyes. I was still walking forward and thinking about my normal morning walk. I speak with my friend Wendy almost every morning. Today was different, she wasn’t available, and I was alone.

I had to open my eyes just a bit and squint to make sure I wasn’t walking off the road. As I listened to the voice through the headphones, I started to feel connected to his story. The story of what felt like an old man finding unconditional love on a journey.

After a while, I started my way back around to come home. The sun was on my back, and I was reminded of my mother. It was only an instant, but I felt for that moment she was there. I hadn’t ever felt this before since she had gone. I started to feel all the emotions and the sadness. I cried for the rest of my walk home, but it was good because I didn’t feel alone. I felt love.

If you choose to listen to this audio, it may very well be that you feel something too. I would sit in a quiet place and just listen to it. It revealed to me a few things that I’d like to share. Here are the words and thoughts I had on my way back home.

I don’t need to climb a mountain to go on a journey.

I believed that I did, but I don’t believe this anymore. I have been on a journey, climbing up and falling down. I have been pushing and probing to learn and share. I have been working hard to evolve into a leader that could help others feel and discover what my friend Kenny Williams helped me start to see within myself. I have been working hard at it. Kenny made it look easy, but I know it wasn’t so easy.

I think it gets to my core values and what I believe and stick with.

For me, trust, integrity, respect, and loyalty, along with courage.

Are these enough? As I walked today, I realized that unconditional love, acceptance and as Ron reminded me, vision is what leaders need to get others through. I realized this connection of light and love is part of being able to see and hear. If you acknowledge a person and show them love and kindness, they will reveal their superpowers and help accomplish or achieve the shared vision.

The Guru does not have to read a person’s mind to know what they are thinking. A leader who knows their people does not have to be a mind reader to see and feel those whom they serve.

I hope you take a moment or two to listen to the audio. There is a lot more to dig into, but it takes courage to go deep and realize our connections and our opportunities to journey from where we are.