Nov 29, 2023

On November 24, 2023, the Standing Committee on National Defence published their report on the Canadian Armed Forces Health Care and Transitional Services, and due to the Canadian Chiropractic Association’s (CCA) ongoing advocacy efforts, the committee has accepted our recommendations. Recommendation 24 of the study states: “That the Government of Canada, consistent with the best practices of the health insurance industry and for the prevention of chronic conditions, remove the requirement that Canadian Armed Forces members must obtain a physician’s referral to access chiropractic treatments that can be claimed through insurance. Moreover, the Government should increase the annual amount that can be claimed for such treatments.” 

Currently, CAF members need to first visit a physician to get a referral to see a chiropractor to be covered under Medavie Blue Cross, and they are only allocated 10 visits. Due to the physical demands put on active military personnel, NMSK conditions like back and neck pain for active military personnel are double that of the general Canadian population. This referral requirement delays necessary treatment, causes a duplication of process and places an additional barrier to care for a work-related injury.   

The CCA has been lobbying the Standing Committee on National Defense and the Ministry of National Defense to make chiropractic care more accessible to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members by removing the physician’s referral requirement to seek chiropractic care and increase coverage levels. Neuromusculoskeletal (NMSK) injuries are a major occupational risk of a military career and are responsible for 42 per cent of medical releases, which is the leading medical condition that ends a military career.  

The CCA has participated in numerous advocacy meetings with various members of the Standing Committee on National Defense, including the chair, the Honourable John McKay. The CCA has also submitted briefs and participated in consultations with the Ministry and the Department of National Defense explaining the benefits of chiropractic care and how it can have a positive impact on CAF members, and recently in June, Dr. Ayla Azad appeared before the Standing Committee on National Defense to testify during their study on Canadian Armed Forces Health Care and Transitional Services. 

The CCA is incredibly happy about the inclusion of this recommendation. However, we know that more work must be done. The Ministry of National Defense will need to respond to these recommendations, and we will continue our advocacy efforts with the Minister to ensure that these recommendations form new policy within the Department of National Defence. 

Click here to read the full report from the Standing Committee on National Defense.