Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about The Patriot Project, its contributors, beneficiaries, and team members and supporters.
Frequent Questions.
HOW DID THE PATRIOT PROJECT START?
The Patriot Project was found by Dr. Timothy P. Novelli, and this inspired organization started after one life changing weekend. No one tells the story better than him...
WHY IS THE PATRIOT PROJECT NECESSARY?
In 2002, President George W. Bush signed Public Law 107-135, legislation that ensured that chiropractic would become a permanent benefit for recipients of veterans’ health care services. As a result, chiropractic care was gradually added to more than 30 VA medical centers. In the remaining 120 VA treatment facilities, however—including those in several major metropolitan areas, the chiropractic care benefit has remained virtually nonexistent. All veterans with service-related disabilities should have access to chiropractic care, if not at a hospital, then in the civilian community. Chiropractic treatment is a standard VA benefit; no VA facility can deny essential health benefits. Chiropractic physicians are considered specialists by the Veteran Administration and the Department of Defense, which means the Veteran must request from their PCP approval for them to receive chiropractic treatment. Problem #1: Vets DO NOT KNOW they have chiropractic benefits. Problem #2: There is no listing of chiropractic benefits within the VA HealthCare Benefit section on their website except under ancillary services. Problem #3: Vets DO NOT KNOW the benefit they can obtain from chiropractic treatment which can include acupuncture. Problem #4: Vets DO NOT KNOW they can appeal their PCP's denial of their requests for chiropractic treatment. Problem #5: Armed forces families do not have chiropractic benefits. Problem #6: Veterans reliance upon medications results in a high probability of developing additional health problems and or even developing life-threatening/ending situations. Some veterans have found their local VA is reluctant to send them for fee-basis care outside the facility and have required them to jump through many hoops to get a referral for a Doctor of Chiropractic. This is against VA policy and does not align with the VA's stated mission to be "veteran-centered." The VA facility often tries to save money by denying fee-basis care delivered by doctors of chiropractic, even though they spend a great deal on numerous other treatments. VA facilities are unaware that chiropractic treatment can reduce their facility's costs. Medical literature has revealed that when insurance companies limit/reduce chiropractic treatment benefits, their total costs for healthcare actually increase. A patient receiving regular chiropractic care experiences reduced hospital admissions, surgeries, and pharmaceutical costs. Studies indicate that greater chiropractic coverage, despite increased visits to a DC, results in significant net savings in both indirect and direct costs. Chiropractic care could reduce Medicare costs—both payment for all services and average per claim payment. Chiropractic patients typically pay less and are more satisfied with their treatment than MD patients. Chiropractic care can be used to control health care costs. Chiropractic patients reach maximum medical improvement sooner than when treated by a medical doctor. Chiropractic treatment is not an add-on but a direct substitution for other treatments. Conclusion: Services delivered by doctors of chiropractic are part of the standard VA benefits, and no VA facility can say "do not provide" these essential health benefits. Some veterans have found their local VA is reluctant to send them for fee-basis care outside the VA facility and have required them to jump through many hoops to get a referral for a Doctor of Chiropractic. This is against VA policy and does not align with VA's stated mission to be "veteran-centered." THE PATRIOT PROJECT IS DETERMINED TO CHANGE THIS WITH YOUR HELP.
WHO ARE THE PATRIOT PROJECT PATIENTS?
With the enormous demand for chiropractic care, we focus on priority groups. This would include the veterans with service-connected disabilities, active duty military, their family members, and gold star dependents. If the retired service member has a disability caused or aggravated by their service they would be qualified to receive treatment under The Patriot Project.
DOES TRICARE COVER MY PATIENT?
Active Duty Military do not have chiropractic coverage under their TRICARE. We only ask to see their TRICARE card as proof of service.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT INSURANCE QUESTIONS?
If your contract restricts your service donation, don’t despair. In 2002, President George W. Bush signed Public Law 107-135, legislation that ensured that chiropractic care would become a permanent benefit for recipients of veterans’ health care services. Many veterans find it difficult to access these chiropractic benefits, so we provide it for them. If you treat a veteran, you may ask them to request these benefits. If approved, the V.A. will send you the appropriate paperwork to become a V.A. vendor. Once this process is complete, you can submit claims to be reimbursed. This doesn't always happen, and regardless the patient will never receive a bill from the Patriot Project. As far as we're concerned, their bill is paid in full. We treat active-duty military, their families (including spouses and children), service-connected veterans, and all gold star dependents.
HOW DO I PRIORITIZE MY PATIENTS?
At this time we don’t have a selection process. You can prioritize your patients as you see fit.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR WOUNDED WARRIORS?
Ask Wounded Warriors for a copy of their DD214 and their service connection papers. Please help and guide them through applying for chiropractic benefits. See these patients right away even if they are still in the process of obtaining coverage.
REQUEST FOR TESTIMONIALS
Doctors should document any treatment a patient receives under The Patriot Project. It’s as simple as keeping track of why the patient is coming in and how the care affects them. Patients are not required to give testimonials, but it would be appreciated. If you are a Patriot Project patient, we request that you send testimonials and documentation to us via email: erica.patriotproject@gmail.com You may also post these testimonials on Facebook; don't forget to tag us @ThePatriotProject! We are gathering this information to use before Congress. We aim to ensure every military member knows the chiropractic care available to them. In turn, Congress must know how vital it is to our troops' mental and physical health. We want to become an intricate part and alternative to the current health system offered to our service members.
HOW CAN I DO MORE?
We ask that you treat at least one deserving individual a week, but if you’d like to treat more under The Patriot Project, please do! Outside of that, many other ways exist to contribute to The Patriot Project. Here are a few ideas: Encourage your patients to submit testimonials. These true stories are invaluable in promoting our cause. You can send testimonials to erica.patriotproject@gmail.com. Tell your fellow chiropractors about us - your alumni class, your friends, and, yes, even your competitors. Our military does not discern who they protect, and neither should we. Host a fundraiser; creative and new ideas are welcome! We will gladly help with and promote any Patriot Project event. Donate directly to the project or attend our annual Patriot Ball fundraiser. The easiest way to support us is by liking and following us on social media. Help us spread the word! Finally, we are always looking for State Directors. If you are interested, please get in touch with us here.
How do I sign up as a chiropractor?
Navigate to the Chiropractor Sign Up page in the menu and fill out the form on the page. After we receive your form submission, we will review it and add you to our chiropractor search map within 2-4 weeks. To check and see whether you have been added to the map, please create a user account on the Sign Up page and navigate to the Find a Chiropractor page.
WHY AM I NOT LISTED?
Our team does our best to update the search map every 2-4 weeks. If you submitted the form more than 4 weeks ago and still do not see your information on the search map, please contact us.
LOCATING A CHIROPRACTOR NEAR YOU!
If you are a new user (non-Chiropractor), please click the Military Sign Up link in the menu. After answering a few questions and signing up, you will be given a password to access the "Find a Chiropractor" page. Here, you will see a map to find a Patriot Project Chiropractor close to you. Â Once you enter your location (you may enter a zip code, city, address, etc), click on one of the checkmarks to view the Chiropractor's information. Please contact them by their listed cell phone, email, or website to schedule an appointment. They can help guide you in your next steps to receiving care.