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VA Massage Benefits

Veteran Affairs offers VA Massage Benefits, and I am in network with TriWest/Wholehealth to help you. Veteran Affairs approves massage to help you feel better faster. Find relief from pain, reduce stress, and improve overall wellness in a compassionate and supportive environment.

Steps to book:

  1. Before you book with me, you must meet with your VA Primary Care Provider to assess if the massage is medically necessary. You can indicate you seek referral to Caring Portland Massage, or the VA can automatically refer you to the location closest to you.
  2. Have your PCP submit the request for VA Massage Benefits to the VA Community Care. The VA determines the appropriate level of care and develops a care plan.
  3. In some instances, the VA may recommend other treatments (PT , acupuncture, chiropractic, or injections) before approving massage. Once you prove none of those things work, you likely will be approved for massage. Often it’s possible to receive twelve 30 minute appointments. In “severe” cases, appointments lasting 60 minutes may be approved.
  4. Once the VA has approved, the authorization can be sent to Caring Portland Massage, and I will contact you to arrange the initial visit and subsequent visits.
  5. Please note that the VA typically limits massage sessions to a maximum of 30 minutes. These are targeted treatments that will only address your area of concern. We are collaborating in an effort to improve your well being and remove pain.
  6. The VA seeks for you to improve, to lessen pain, and to not need additional treatments. That said, it is possible to ask for additional massage sessions, and it is possible the VA will approve additional sessions.
  7. If you have any questions or need help, contact caringportland @ gmail.com

Many massage therapists are looking forward to working with veterans, since we know how helpful massage can be for pain relief. Since this program is relatively new, it is possible that the program has changed since I wrote up this step-by-step. Please contact your local VA rep for more information and guidance. This link includes additional details about the program: https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/professional-resources/Massage_Therapy.asp

VHA Directive 1137 covers massage therapy requirements.

Learn more about me: juliemaelmt.com/about-team