If you’re a veteran dealing with chronic pain, stress, or reduced mobility, you’re not alone. Many service members leave the military with long-term physical wear and tear—from back and neck issues to lingering injuries and stress-related muscle tension.
The good news? You may be eligible for chiropractic care and massage therapy through the VA’s Community Care Program and TriWest—at no cost to you.
In this post, we’ll walk you through all the details, including how to check your eligibility, what’s covered, how to request care, and some of the common pitfalls to watch out for during the process.
Understanding VA Community Care & TriWest
What is the VA Community Care Network?
The Community Care Network (CCN) is a program developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs that allows eligible veterans to receive non-VA care—from providers outside of the VA system—while still having it fully covered. It’s designed to improve access, reduce wait times, and expand the types of care veterans can receive.
If the VA clinic doesn’t offer chiropractic or massage therapy in-house (which many don’t), you may be referred to a local, VA-authorized provider through the CCN.
Who is TriWest, and What Do They Do?
TriWest Healthcare Alliance is one of the VA’s official partners and serves as the third-party administrator for the Community Care Network in several U.S. regions, including California.
TriWest’s job is to:
- Process referrals from your VA primary care provider
- Authorize services with local community providers (like Bixby Knolls Wellness Center)
- Coordinate appointments and payments between the VA and the provider
So while your care is VA-funded, it’s TriWest that handles the actual logistics and approvals when you’re seeing a non-VA provider.
TriWest vs. Tricare: What’s the Difference?
This is where things often get confusing for veterans and their loved ones. TriWest and Tricare are not the same, even though they sound similar and are both connected to military healthcare.
TriWest is used specifically for veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system who are referred to non-VA providers through the Community Care Network (CCN). If your VA provider determines that you need chiropractic or massage care outside of the VA hospital, they submit a referral through TriWest, which then authorizes and coordinates that care with a local clinic. This care is 100% covered for eligible veterans once approved.
Tricare, on the other hand, is a traditional health insurance program for active-duty service members, military retirees, and their families. Unlike TriWest, Tricare does not typically cover chiropractic or massage therapy in the community, and it's not part of the VA Community Care program.
(At Bixby Knolls Wellness Center, we are fully authorized through TriWest. So make sure to request your referral through TriWest, even if you're more familiar with the term Tricare.)
Eligibility: Who Qualifies
To access chiropractic and massage therapy through the VA Community Care program, you must first be enrolled in the VA healthcare system. Beyond that, you may qualify for VA-referred chiropractic or massage care if:
- Your VA facility doesn’t offer the service you need (like chiropractic adjustments or therapeutic massage)
- The wait time for Chiropractic or massage at the VA exceeds “reasonable” limits (if it’s anything more than 30 days, they can have your case referred out to CCN)
- You are experiencing chronic pain, mobility issues, or musculoskeletal conditions
- You have service-connected injuries that impact your daily life
- You’ve been injured during your time in service or have ongoing post-service conditions (such as back pain, neck stiffness, or headaches)
- You need care that’s closer or more accessible than the nearest VA clinic
In many cases, veterans are referred for chiropractic and massage therapy to help manage pain, improve function, reduce reliance on medication, and support long-term recovery—without surgery or invasive procedures.
If you're unsure whether you qualify, the best place to start is by speaking with your VA primary care provider. They can assess your needs and determine if a referral to a community provider is appropriate. We’re also happy to help guide you through the process if you need support navigating the system.
What Services Are Covered
Through the VA Community Care program, veterans may receive a variety of chiropractic and massage therapy services with:
Chiropractic Services
When referred by your VA provider, a chiropractic authorization may include:
- Spinal adjustments to improve alignment, relieve pain, and restore mobility
- Therapeutic exercises designed to strengthen muscles and support recovery
- Assisted stretching to improve flexibility and reduce muscle tension
- Rehabilitative modalities such as:
- Ultrasound therapy
- Electrical muscle stimulation (E-STIM)
- Manual therapy and mobilization techniques
These services are combined to create a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs and condition.
Massage Therapy
Massage referrals typically authorize:
- 12 one-hour sessions of therapeutic massage therapy
- Focused treatment for chronic tension, stress, injury recovery, and service-related pain
- Options to target specific concerns, such as PTSD-related tension, muscle spasms, or postural strain
Your provider can renew or extend your massage authorization based on your progress and continued need.
Important: Separate Authorizations are Required for Chiropractic & Massage Therapy
The VA typically issues separate authorizations for chiropractic and massage therapy services. If you’d like both, your provider will need to submit two separate referrals–one for each service.
What Might Not Be Covered
While many services are included with proper authorization, there are some limitations:
- Initial evaluations or exams may not be covered under certain types of massage referrals.
- Care not deemed medically necessary by the VA may be denied, even if recommended by your provider. Though at Bixby Knolls Wellness Center, we will always communicate if any recommendations are not covered by TriWest to ensure you’re never surprised by an unexpected bill.
- Additional sessions beyond the authorized amount require a new referral or updated approval from your VA provider. So make sure to communicate with your provider if you’d like to continue care beyond your authorization so they may submit proper requests/documentation.
- Complaints not mentioned in the authorization. For example, if you’ve been referred for low back pain but are complaining of pain in another area not related to the low back (ie: shoulder, jaw, knees), your provider may not be able to administer treatment to that area. Not to worry, though–you can get an additional authorization for that other body part so that all your concerns can be addressed over time.
How to Get Authorized Treatment
Accessing fully covered care is easier than you might think. Just follow these steps:
1. Ask Your VA Primary Care Provider for a Referral
Start by letting your VA doctor or care team know you're interested in community care for chiropractic or massage therapy. You’ll need their approval to begin the process, as only the VA can submit a referral through TriWest.
2. Give Them the Correct Provider Info
To avoid delays or authorization errors, be sure your provider uses our legal business name and NPI number when submitting your referral.
3. Choose the Type of Care You Need
You can request ONE of the following authorizations per referral:
- Chiropractic Care Authorization: Covers chiropractic adjustments and may also include assisted stretching, therapeutic exercises, and modalities like ultrasound or electrical stimulation.
- Massage Therapy Authorization: Typically includes 12 one-hour sessions of therapeutic massage.
If you're not sure which option is right for you, your VA provider may help guide that decision—or you can ask to be referred for both (as separate referrals).
4. Wait for Approval
Once your VA provider submits the referral, it will be reviewed by TriWest. This can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on VA processing times.
5. Schedule Your Appointment
After the referral is approved, TriWest will send your requested provider the authorization. From there, you are free to schedule your appointment.
(Note: When you request Bixby Knolls Wellness Center as your provider, we’ll call you to schedule your visit as soon as we receive your authorization for TriWest. We can also help with navigating the referral process or communicating with your VA provider.)
Tips to Speed Up & Smooth the Authorization Process
Here’s how to make sure your referral for chiropractic or massage therapy goes through quickly and smoothly:
✅ Always give the correct provider information.
This is one of the most common reasons for delays. Be sure to give your VA provider the legal business name and NPI. (You can find our provider information here)
✅ Be clear and direct when requesting the referral.
When speaking with your VA primary care provider, let them know specifically that you’re requesting community care through TriWest for chiropractic and/or massage therapy at your desired clinic. If you’ve had prior issues or have ongoing symptoms, be sure to describe them clearly.
✅ Ask if the VA facility offers these services in-house.
Referrals are typically easier to approve if the VA medical center does not provide the requested service onsite. For example, if your local VA doesn’t offer chiropractic care or massage therapy, they’re more likely to refer you to a community provider.
✅ Keep copies and follow up.
Ask for a copy of your referral or authorization once it’s submitted. If you haven’t heard back within a reasonable timeframe, follow up politely with your VA PCP or care coordinator to check the status.
✅ Understand the importance of “medical necessity.”
The VA often requires that your care be considered medically necessary—especially for ongoing treatment. If possible, provide documentation of previous injuries, service-connected conditions, or chronic pain to support your referral. (We’re also happy to supply treatment notes or clinical rationale if needed.)
By following these tips, you’ll help reduce delays and ensure your care is authorized as efficiently as possible.
Let Us Help You Access the Care You Deserve
At Bixby Knolls Wellness Center, we know how much our veterans have given—and we believe you deserve quality care you can count on. Whether you're living with chronic pain, recovering from service-related injuries, or simply want to feel better in your body, you don’t have to navigate the VA system alone.
Our team is here to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, from helping you request your referral to providing the personalized care you need once you’re approved. We’ve had the honor of caring for many veterans in the Long Beach community, and we’d be proud to support you as well.
If you’re ready to take that first step—or just have questions about how it all works—we’re here to help.
👉 Visit our Veteran Care page to learn more or give our team a call at (562) 219-4200.
