Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Overview
Jeff Milligan, Director
VA North Texas Health Care System
August 17, 2015
Department of Veterans Affairs
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
1
Department of Veterans Affairs
Consists of 3 agencies:
1. Veterans Benefits Administration
2. Veterans Health Administration
3. National Cemetery Administration
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
2
Tell Me About VA Health Care
•
•
•
•
VA operates the largest health care system in the
country, with over 1,700 medical centers and
clinics across the nation
VA health care is portable, so your coverage stays
with you if you move or relocate
Since your VA medical records are electronic,
they are accessible at any VA facility and online,
once your transfer is requested
Once you become enrolled, you remain enrolled
and you can receive VA’s comprehensive medical
benefit package
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
3
How to enroll for VA Health Care
Apply online at:
www.1010ez.med.va.gov
Apply at your nearest VA
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
Apply via mail to:
HEC, Enrollment & Eligibility
Center, 2957 Clairmont Road,
Suite 200, Atlanta, GA
Call 1-877-222-8387
M-F, 8AM-8PM EST
4
What are Some General Medical Benefits?
VA offers:
• Screening exams for: Depression,
Substance Abuse, PTSD, TBI, Military
Sexual Trauma, Environmental
Exposures
• Primary Care/Preventive Care/Specialty
Services
• Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment
• Prescription Services
• Other limited benefits
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
5
Once Enrollned you are assigned a Priority
Groups 1-8
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
6
Priority Groups
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
7
Priority Groups
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
8
5 Years of Cost-Free Health Care for
OEF/OIF/OND Combat Veterans
5 Years of Cost Free Health Care
• OEF/OIF combat Veterans can receive cost free
medical care for any condition related to your service
in the Iraq/Afghanistan theater for 5 years after the
date of your discharge or release
• This includes 5 years (post-discharge) cost-free health
care for any injury or illness associated with your
combat service
• After the 5 year period ends, VA care and treatment
will continue
• At that point, you could be responsible for co-pays
that are based on your income and eligibility
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
9
What About Non-Combat Related Conditions?
Other Injuries
• Veterans who have non-combat
related or non-service connected
illnesses/injuries may be charged a
co-pay for these conditions
– Determined officially by VA
– For example, flu, colds, auto
accident, etc.
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
10
One-time Cost Free Dental Evaluation and
Treatment for OEF/OIF/OND
A Time Sensitive Free Benefit
• VA offers free dental benefits for evaluation and
treatment for recently discharged Veterans
• You may qualify for these benefits if you meet both
of the following requirements:
– You served more than 90 days of continued
service, and
– Your DD214 does not show that you received
all needed dental service at least 90 days prior
to your separation
• Note: You must apply for this dental care within
180 days (6 months) of separation from active duty
service!
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
11
OEF/OIF/OND Care Management Teams
•
•
At each VA Medical Center there is a dedicated team
for OEF/OIF/OND Returning Combat Veterans
They can work with you and your family on post
combat concerns including:
–
–
–
–
–
Anxiety
Employment
Housing
GI Bill
Marital or readjustment issues
Please call 1-877-222-8387 for the number of your local
VA Medical Center
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
12
VA’s Women Veterans Health Program
Attention Female Veterans
• Since 2000, the number of women Veterans seeking
VA health care has doubled
• To meet their needs, each VA medical facility has a
Women Veterans Program Manager
• VA strives to provide the best health care for
women Veterans, including:
–
–
–
–
•
•
Primary care and preventive health
Mental Health
Gynecology and Maternity
Specialty care
VA is equipped to deliver one-stop services in
women’s health clinics at many VA medical centers
VA is rolling out enhanced primary care for women
Veterans across the system
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
13
VA Crisis Line
Reaching Out
• Veterans Crisis Hotline can provide support at 1800-273-TALK (8255) or
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
• Give the Lifeline number or website to anyone you
know who is exhibiting warning signs
• VA offers a Veterans Crisis Hotline staffed by
trained professionals 24 hours a day to help in an
immediate crisis
• Also online Chat Service where Veterans can have
one-to-one conversations with Hotline counselors
• You can also text to Veterans Crisis Line at 838255
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
14
Homeless Veterans Program
Resources for those in need
• VA offers a variety of resources, programs, and benefits
for Veterans who are homeless or who are at risk of
becoming homeless i.e. HUD-VASH & HCHV
• Our National Call Center provides free, 24/7 access to
trained counselors
• Our counselors can connect you with resources for
housing, health care, food, and other assistance
• Call 1-877-4AID VET (1-877-424-3838); or Chat live, 24
hours a day, 7 days a week
• More info: http://www.va.gov/homeless/
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
15
Veterans Choice Program Overview
• The Department of Veterans Affairs strives to ensure quality, timely
care for all Veterans.
• In an effort to increase Veterans’ access to health care, VA
implemented the Veterans Choice Program (VCP) – a program
that allows eligible Veterans to use approved health care providers
outside of the VA network.
• The Veterans Choice Program was implemented as part of the
Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (VACAA).
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
Veterans Choice Cards
• VA mailed all Veterans a Veterans Choice Card. The Choice Card allows
you to choose to receive care outside of VA if you qualify for the new
program.
• The Choice Card does not replace the identification card you already use
to access other VA benefits.
• If you are satisfied and wish to continue with your current VA care, there is
nothing you need to do at this time. You should save your Choice Card in
case you would like to use the program in the future.
• Don’t worry if you did not receive or have misplaced your Choice Card.
Call 866-606-8198 to find out if you are eligible for the program and to
make an appointment.
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
Determining Eligibility
Veterans must have been enrolled in VA health care on or before August 1, 2014, or you
are eligible to enroll as a recently discharged combat Veteran. Additionally, Veterans
must meet at least one of the following criteria:
 You are told by your local VA medical facility that you will need to wait more than 30 days
for an appointment from the date clinically determined by your physician, or, if not such
date is provided, our preferred date.
 Your home is more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA medical facility.
 You need to travel by plane or boat to the VA medical facility closest to your home.
 You face an unusual or excessive burden in traveling to the closest VA medical facility
based on geographic challenges, environmental factors, or a medical condition. Staff at
your local VA medical facility will work with you to determine you are eligible for any of
these reasons.
 You reside in a State or a United States Territory without a full-service VA medical facility
that provides hospital care, emergency services, and surgical care having a surgical
complexity of standard, and reside more than 20 miles from such a VA medical facility.
NOTE: This criterion applies to Veterans residing in Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Guam,
American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Also
note that
some Veterans in New Hampshire reside within 20 miles of White River Junction
VETERANS
HEALTH
ADMINISTRATION
VAMC.
VA Job Resources
Finding a Job
• You've served your country, now you are ready for a new
challenge. What do you want to do next?
• Let us help you:
– Finding and secure a job , including at the VA
– Browse career opportunities
– Transfer military to civilian experience on your resume
Visit www.oefoif.va.gov for more information
•
Dept. of Labor’s ‘Gold Card’ program provides
unemployed post-9/11 era Veterans with services they
need to succeed in today's job market
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
19
What is a Vet Center?
What is a Vet Center?
What They Offer You
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
A safe and protected place to talk
Confidentiality – no stigma
Flexible hours
Easily accessible community-based
setting
Network knowledgeable about the
resources available
Vet Center staff are >65% combat
Veterans
Veterans serving Veterans
All family members are welcome
No cost….ever
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
•
•
•
•
•
•
Individual Counseling
Group Counseling
Military Sexual Trauma
Counseling
Marital/Family Counseling
Bereavement Counseling
Drug and Alcohol Referral
Liaison with VA and Community
Resources
Benefits Assistance Referral
Community Education and Career
Referral
www.vetcenter.va.gov
20
Online Portal to Your Veterans Benefits
It’s your VA - take advantage of your benefits!
Ebenefits is your one-stop shop for benefits-related online tools and information
•
•
•
•
•
•
Transfer your education benefits
Access online TAP briefing on VA benefits
Download your DD 214
Apply for benefits
View claim status and benefit payments online
Print VA home loan guaranty Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)
www.ebenefits.va.gov
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
21
The GI Bill – Invest in Yourself
Education & Job Training Examples:
License & Certifications examples:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Colleges and Universities
Non College Degrees
Flight Schools
Correspondence Schools
On the Job Training & Apprenticeship
programs
Approved National Exams examples:
•
•
•
•
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
Attorney's License
C++ Certification
Cosmetology License
Certified Safety Professional
SAT
ACT
GRE
LSAT
22
GI Bill - Going Back to School?
Learn More
Stay Updated
www.GIBILL.va.gov
www.facebook.com/gibillEducation
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
23
Are you interested in owning a home?
VA Guaranteed Home Loans
• VA offers guaranteed home loans and refinancing
assistance for Veterans
• Benefits include no down payment, negotiable
interest rates and the right to pre-pay with no
penalty
• VA also offers assistance to borrowers in mortgage
default due to temporary financial difficulty
• Special housing grants available for assistance in
adapting housing for disabled Veterans
•
To learn more, call: 1-888-244-6711
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
24
Moving Forward
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
In June 2015, VA completed 97 percent of appointments within 30 days of the
Veteran’s preferred date, 93 percent within 14 days; 88 percent within 7 days. VA has
completed 12 million same-day appointments, which is 20 percent of VA’s total
appointments per year. VA also increased VA authorizations for care in the community,
including the Choice Program, by 44 percent
Increasing transparency and accountability
Improving customer service Veterans proud to call VA their own
Training the nation’s health care providers
Expanding care for victims of sexual trauma
Ending claims backlog at VBA
End Veteran homelessness
A focus on Women Veterans
Recruiting and hiring to provide more access to care for Veterans
And much more!
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
25
Questions?
VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
26