DVA Chiropractic Care in Kenmore: What Veterans Need to Know
If you hold a Veteran Card, chiropractic care may be available to you through the Department of Veterans' Affairs. The paperwork side of it puts a lot of people off, so this page walks through how the system works, what you need before your first appointment, and how to book in at our Kenmore clinic.
Who is eligible for DVA funded chiropractic care?
Eligibility comes down to which Veteran Card you hold and whether you have an assessed clinical need.
Gold Card holders can access chiropractic services for a clinical need whether or not the condition is related to service.
White Card holders can access chiropractic services for conditions DVA has accepted as service related. If you are not sure what is listed on your file, your GP or DVA can confirm it for you.
In both cases you will need a current referral before care can begin.
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor under DVA?
Yes. Chiropractic sits under DVA's Allied Health Services treatment cycle arrangements, which means a referral from an authorised medical practitioner is required. For most veterans this is their GP, who acts as the care coordinator across their allied health services. For an initial treatment cycle a referral may also come from another authorised source such as a specialist or a hospital discharge planner.
The referral names the service, not the individual practitioner, so you can choose where you have your appointments.
How many sessions does a DVA referral cover?
A referral lasts for up to 12 sessions or one year, whichever ends first. That period is called a treatment cycle.
At the end of a cycle, your chiropractor reports back to your referring GP on what has been done. If further care is clinically appropriate, your GP can issue a new referral. There is no cap on the number of treatment cycles you can have.
The practical takeaway: keep an eye on how many sessions you have used, and book in with your GP before the cycle runs out so there is no gap in your care.
What does DVA chiropractic care cost?
If you are eligible and your referral is current, there is nothing to pay at the appointment. We bill DVA directly for the service. Providers are not permitted to charge veterans a gap fee for services covered under the arrangements.
If you want care that sits outside what DVA covers, we will tell you before anything goes ahead so you can decide.
What to bring to your first appointment
Your Veteran Card, Gold or White
Your current referral from your GP or specialist
Any recent scans or imaging reports you have
A list of medications and any other practitioners involved in your care
If you do not have the referral in hand yet, still give us a call. We can talk you through what to ask your GP for.
What happens at your first visit
Your first appointment is a longer one. It covers a full history, a physical and postural assessment, and any imaging we need, which we can take on site. Your chiropractor will explain what they have found, talk through the options, and set out a plan for the treatment cycle so you know where things are heading before anything starts.
We handle the DVA paperwork and reporting at our end, including the report back to your referring GP at the end of the cycle.
Booking a DVA appointment in Kenmore
We are on Moggill Road in Kenmore, with parking out front and same day appointments available, including Saturdays. If getting in during the week is difficult around work or family, say so when you call and we will find a time that works.
Balance Chiropractic Kenmore Shop 1, 2105 Moggill Road, Kenmore QLD (07) 3132 9399
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a new referral every year? A new referral is needed once you reach 12 sessions or 12 months, whichever comes first.
Can I use my private health fund instead? Yes, if you would prefer, or for services that fall outside DVA cover. You cannot claim both for the same service.
My White Card only lists one accepted condition. Can I still be seen? DVA funded care applies to accepted conditions. You are welcome to attend for anything else as a private patient, and we will be clear about the cost before you book.
Can I bring my partner or a support person? Of course. You are welcome to have someone with you at any appointment.
Do you see veterans in Cairns as well? Yes. Our Cairns clinic sees DVA patients under the same arrangements.
