Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Overview Jeff Milligan, Director VA North Texas Health Care System August 17, 2015

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Overview

Jeff Milligan, DirectorVA North Texas Health Care System

August 17, 2015

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Department of Veterans Affairs

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Department of Veterans Affairs

Consists of 3 agencies:1. Veterans Benefits Administration2. Veterans Health Administration3. National Cemetery Administration

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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

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How to enroll for VA Health Care

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Apply online at:www.1010ez.med.va.gov

Apply at your nearest VA

Apply via mail to: HEC, Enrollment & Eligibility Center, 2957 Clairmont Road,

Suite 200, Atlanta, GA

Call 1-877-222-8387M-F, 8AM-8PM EST


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

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Once Enrollned you are assigned a Priority Groups 1-8

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Priority Groups

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Priority Groups

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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

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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.

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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!

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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

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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

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VA Crisis Line

Reaching Out• Veterans Crisis Hotline can provide support at 1-

800-273-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

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http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/


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/

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http://www.va.gov/homeless/


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 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.


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 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

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http://www.oefoif.va.gov/

http://www.dol.gov/vets/goldcard/revisedgoldcard5.pdf


What is a Vet Center?

What is a Vet Center?

• 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

What They Offer You

• 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

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http://www.vetcenter.va.gov/


Online Portal to Your Veterans Benefits

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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

http://www.ebenefits.va.gov/

http://www.ebenefits.va.gov/

https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/appmanager/eb/veterans;EBEN_JSESSIONID=WpM7PNRp6W5yVlBPpjDFnwSRpH1n16ShT2v1zTnxsgCMcnQxJzLk!-1302636804!-65507099?_nfpb=true&_nfxr=false&_pageLabel=Home

https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/appmanager/eb/veterans;EBEN_JSESSIONID=WpM7PNRp6W5yVlBPpjDFnwSRpH1n16ShT2v1zTnxsgCMcnQxJzLk!-1302636804!-65507099?_nfpb=true&_nfxr=false&_pageLabel=Home


The GI Bill – Invest in Yourself

Education & Job Training Examples:

• Colleges and Universities• Non College Degrees• Flight Schools• Correspondence Schools• On the Job Training & Apprenticeship

programs

License & Certifications examples:

• Attorney's License• C++ Certification• Cosmetology License• Certified Safety Professional

Approved National Exams examples:

• SAT• ACT• GRE• LSAT

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GI Bill - Going Back to School?

Learn More

www.GIBILL.va.gov

Stay Updated

www.facebook.com/gibillEducation

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http://www.gibill.va.gov/

http://www.facebook.com/gibillEducation


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

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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!

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http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/19028/va-making-some-progress-on-health-care-appointment-times/


Questions?

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Documents

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Overview Jeff Milligan, Director VA North Texas Health Care System August 17, 2015