If you aren't already familiar with TRICARE, here's the scoop: It's the government-managed health care insurance program for U.S. uniformed service members, retirees and their families worldwide, currently providing coverage for 9.4 million – yes, you read that correctly – eligible beneficiaries.
Here's another scoop, and it's a huge one for the chiropractic profession: TRICARE appears poised to include chiropractic services in its coverage, according to Military.com,* which cites "a document distributed to military support organizations this week." According to the site, the document stipulates that the new policy providing chiropractic coverage will be proposed within the next few months, "issued in an official regulation change notice no later than early next year."
Currently, chiropractic is not covered by TRICARE; neither is acupuncture, which is also mentioned in the document as a service that will be covered per the proposed policy change.
While TRICARE does not cover chiropractic or acupuncture (yet), both services are available at a limited number of Veterans Administration and Department of Defense facilities.
TRICARE is particularly important because if the Military Health System, overseen by the DoD, or the VA cannot accommodate the demand for care, TRICARE provides coverage at civilian hospitals and health care facilities.
It is unclear as of press time which specific chiropractic (and acupuncture) services will be covered if and when the policy change takes effect, although according to Military.com, the document says covered services "must be proven safe and effective." Stay tuned.
*Military.com touts itself as "the largest online military and veteran membership organization" (10 million members). Membership is free and "connects servicemembers, military families and veterans to all the benefits of service – government benefits, scholarships, discounts, lifelong friends, mentors, great stories of military life or missions, and much more."
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
