How to Get a VA Referral for Medical Massage Therapy

To access VA Community Care benefits, you must be enrolled in VA health care.
👉 Apply online here or call 877-222-8387.

Visit or contact your VA Primary Care Provider and discuss your symptoms—such as chronic pain, mobility issues, or stress—that may benefit from massage therapy.

During your VA appointment, ask your provider to refer you to a Community Care medical massage therapist.

Be specific:

“I’d like a referral to Christal Love, LMT, who is a provider in the Community Care Network.”

Your provider will submit the request. If approved, the VA will:

• Review your eligibility under Community Care
• Submit the referral to Optum (East) or TriWest (West), depending on your location
• Authorize services and send the referral to the massage provider

Once your referral is authorized:

• I will receive your authorization directly from the network
• You can call or email me to schedule
• Or, I may contact you directly if your info is shared with the referral

• You must receive VA approval first before beginning treatment.
• You can’t self-pay and then get reimbursed for massage under VA Community Care.
• If you haven’t heard back after your provider submits the referral, call the VA Community Care office at your facility or message your provider through My HealtheVet.

Contact me and I’ll help you navigate the referral steps:
Christal Love, LMT
📧 christallovelmt@gmail.com
📞 470-781-4722

Veterans enrolled in VA health care and receiving care from a VA provider may be eligible for Community Care if:

• Services aren’t available at a nearby VA facility
• Wait times are too long
• Travel distance is excessive
• It’s in your best medical interest

(See full eligibility at the VA website.)Visit the VA Community Care site at
www.va.gov/communitycare or call (877) 881-7618.