Tai Chi for Veterans (TC4V) now approved by the VA!
I thought the best way for veterans to decide if this flowing smooth kind of movement would be good for them is to experience it for themselves. If Interested in trying a free class, please email betterbalanceny@gmail.com and we’ll set a day and time.
The Tai Chi program approved by the VA for qualified veterans, was designed with veterans in mind and provides the benefits of Tai Chi in a familiar exercise class format. Just join in and follow along to enjoy the smooth flowing movement.
Qualified Vets can ask their healthcare provider for a consult to access Tai Chi's clinically proven benefits for balance, PTSD, strength, coordination, and high blood pressure… at no cost to themselves.
to request a referral from the VA:
Tai Chi is offered through the VA Community Care Network (VACCN), which was established by the Mission Act. The VA has approved Tai Chi for general health and well-being, stress, fibromyalgia, chronic joint and back pain, PTSD, balance, cardiovascular disease, COPD, osteoarthritis, cognitive function, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s, stroke, mood dysfunction, rehabilitation, cancer, and other conditions.
Interested veterans can request a Community Care “Consult" for Tai Chi (a "consult" is the VAMC term for a referral or prescription) from their doctor either at the VA hospital, or their online account https://www.myhealth.va.gov/. With a "consult" Veterans can access Tai Chi's clinically proven improvements of PTSD, anxiety, strength, balance, flexibility, and mobility, while reducing stress through in person and/or live online classes.
you don’t have to ask for me to request a consult! If you ask for and receive a consult without requesting a provider the hospital will do a search and give you the names of the closest providers in your area. But, If you’d like to apply for a Tai Chi consult and would like to work with me please tell your VA healthcare provider that you’d like to work with Toby Kasavan NPI#1881232288.
Suggested Language To Use When Requesting a Consult from your doctor or health care provider: (*this is a brand new program and the staff may not yet be aware of it.)
Thanks to the Mission Act, Tai Chi is now available as an official community care consult within VHA's CPRS system where local and online (telehealth) instructors are utilized the same as surgeons and specialists in the community. The consult can be found in the CPRS system then the Standard Episode of Care (SEOC) selected is Community Care Complimentary Integrative Health (CIH)-Tai Chi.
I would like to request an official Community Care consult through the Mission Act. I would like to request that Toby Kasavan NPI# 1881232288 (a certified Tai Chi for Veterans instructor) be listed as my preferred provider. Toby is within VISN 2 and is fully credentialed in the VACCN and OPTUM networks, and is signed up with the HSRM system. Please have the Office of Community Care send him the consult. I thank you in advance in expediting this request.
About the TC4V program:
The TC4V program is designed using Tai Chi movements and principals in a familiar exercise class format. This is called the TaijiFit Flow system. The hallmark of TaijiFit Flow is smooth flowing movement without worrying about details. No individual critiques or corrections.
Participants don't have to know anything about Tai Chi to start
No need for memorizing anything
It's all based on following along at your own pace and enjoying the feeling of "flow"
Family members or caregivers of veterans are welcome too, and also, many online and in-person classes are not only for Vets, so non-Veterans can join in for a fee
And with the Telehealth (online) option VA doctors specializing in Pain Management, Behavioral Health, Orthopedics, Physical Therapy, and others can order Tai Chi community Care consults for veterans without concerns for space and time constraints within their VA, or long travel times for veterans.
The Harvard Medical School said it best: "Tai chi is often described as "meditation in motion," but it might well be called 'medication in motion'." Tai Chi's slow continuous movements are appropriate for all ages and fitness types and, thanks to the TaijiFit Method, easily accessible to all.
For more information: email: betterbalanceny@gmail.com, or call 646-240-2019
*Because of the Covid-19 virus all classes are currently online (subject to change)