TRICARE Assistance and Information

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed last year authorizes chiropractic care for active duty service members, but not for family members of active duty personnel, effective Oct. 1, 2001.

Previously, chiropractic care services were provided to active duty personnel and family members under the Chiropractic Health Care Demonstration Program (CHCDP), which ended on Sept. 30, 2001.

Chiropractic care is a health care discipline that focuses on the relationship between the structure (primarily the spine) and the function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. Chiropractic care emphasizes healing without the use of drugs or surgery. However, chiropractic providers work in cooperation with other health care providers in the best interest of the patient.

Chiropractic care for active duty members is available only at sites authorized by the Department of Defense which for the Army includes: Fort Benning, Martin Army Community Hospital, Columbus, Ga.; Fort Carson, Evans Army Community Hospital, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Fort Jackson, Moncrief Army Community Hospital, Columbia, S.C.; Fort Sill, Reynolds Army Community Hospital, Lawton, Okla.; and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C.

Chiropractic sites in the Navy include: Camp Lejeune, Naval Hospital, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; Camp Pendleton, Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Naval Hospital, Jacksonville, Fla.; and National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.

Air Force chiropractic sites include: Offutt Air Force Base (AFB), Ehrling Bergquist Hospital, 55th Medical Group, Omaha, Neb.; Scott AFB, 375th Medical Group, Belleville, Ill.; Travis AFB, 60th Medical Group, Fairfield, Ca.; and Wilford Hall Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas.

Active duty service members may be treated by a chiropractic provider for neuro-musculoskeletal conditions if referred by their primary care manager at one of the designated military treatment facilities. During the course of treatment, the primary care manager will determine if specialty care (traditional or chiropractic care) is required. If chiropractic care is considered an option, the patient will undergo a screening process to rule out any medical conditions that would prohibit chiropractic care. If appropriate, the primary care manager may refer the patient to a chiropractic provider for treatment.

These procedures must be followed to receive chiropractic care under the Chiropractic Care Program. Chiropractic care received outside of the designated locations may not be covered under the Chiropractic Care Program. Updates on the new chiropractic benefit for active duty service members, including new sites, will be available on the MHS/TRICARE Web site at http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/index.jsp . Service members are also encouraged to contact or visit their local health benefits adviser or beneficiary counseling and assistance coordinators with any questions they may have regarding the new chiropractic benefit.