Currently the DVA offers an acupuncture benefit for Vets who live 40 miles or more from their nearest VA hospital or clinic. The VA is setting the standards for public access to Acupuncture by private licensed acupuncturists WITHOUT a physician referral. This is the Triwest/Choice card program. Currently, only MD and RN acupuncturists (and NOT PTs) are hired by the DVA for acupuncture services, only because up until this year acupuncturists did not have a BLS code and therefore could not qualify to be hired on by public entities such as the DVA, or qualify to be part of the CMS reimbursement schedule. These restrictions in the past have allowed for access to Dry-needling by PTs and the public is being Mis informed about what their choices are.