Veterans with Chronic Pain Denied Chiropractic Care by Hampton VA
Background
Four veterans from Hampton Roads are angry with the VA for denying them chiropractic care, which they say is necessary for their chronic pain. The Hampton VA has cancelled or denied their chiropractic care referrals or renewals, which were previously provided. They are patients of Dr. Michelle Rose, who is also the president of the Unified Virginia Chiropractic Association.
Veterans’ Stories
Kennith Heckman, a former Army soldier, had various injuries from a serious accident in Afghanistan, including knee surgeries, back pain, ruptured eardrum, and eye injuries. He said that chiropractic care is the only method that helps with his chronic pain. Gary De Wet, who served in the Marine Corps for 29 years, said that chiropractic care dramatically helped him with his injuries, particularly those causing back and leg pain. He had already received 12 referrals for chiropractic care and would apply for renewals and community care at the VA every three to four months. Veterans Douglas Uncapher and Rachel Yurko also need chiropractic care for severe injuries they suffered while serving in the military. Both said that treatment from Dr. Rose helped them avoid opioid drugs for managing their pain.
Chiropractic Care Denied or Canceled
Dr. Rose noticed issues in October 2020, with some patients being denied chiropractic care and not receiving referrals or renewal from the Hampton VA. Four patients asked for help from the Unified Virginia Chiropractic Association. These veterans now receive medication, yoga, acupuncture, and music therapy as a substitute for chiropractic care. Yurko said that the VA prescribed muscle relaxers and Tramadol, a schedule IV opioid, despite her preference for chiropractic care and her reluctance to consume strong narcotics.
VA’s Chiropractic Program
According to the VA’s website, the Chiropractic Program provides patient-centered care options that are in high demand by Veterans and requested by VA physicians. The Department’s forward-looking approach to healthcare is evidenced by the services offered. “VA’s Chiropractic Program exemplifies the Department’s forward-looking approach to healthcare,” the fact sheet stated. Still, the veterans in Hampton Roads recently experienced denials of chiropractic care.
VA’s Response and Veteran’s Reaction
The Hampton VA issued a statement that chiropractic care is not a long-term solution and that a 20% improvement determines if the treatment is helpful. Dr. Ryan Light from Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group, a veteran and insurer, said that who pays for the services gets to direct a lot of the care, and red tape is possible when dealing with health insurance and the government. Dr. Rose said several of her clients have improved by 20% or more and are still getting denied. Veterans deserve better than this, she said, as they have giveqn their lives, bodies, and health for their country. They are asking for some health care that works for them and it’s being taken away. With the military’s issues over suicide, Uncapher is worried about his fellow veterans who feel they have no help. Facing chronic pain is like facing an invisible enemy, according to Heckman.
Conclusion
For veterans with chronic pain, chiropractic care can be an effective solution. The VA’s Chiropractic Program offers chiropractic care that is in high demand by Veterans and requested by VA physicians, according to the VA’s website. However, recent denials of chiropractic care renewals and referrals for veterans by the Hampton VA are concerning, especially given the opioid crisis. Veterans like Heckman, De Wet, Uncapher, and Yurko had already found lumbar chiropractic care to be beneficial and necessary. An alternative to chiropractic care needs more consideration.
Originally Post From https://www.wtkr.com/investigations/local-veterans-furious-chiropractic-care-cut-off-by-hampton-va
