Disabled Veterans facing longer wait times for appointments outside the VA

VA inspector general warns long wait times could continue with Mission Act reforms

STARS AND STRIPES
By Steve Beynon
Published: January 17, 2020

The inspector general said the number of patients seeking community care will increase from 684,000 to 3.7 million, now that the eligibility for veterans to seek private care has expanded under the Mission Act.

ANDREA VILLARI/STARS AND STRIPES

WASHINGTON — Department of Veterans Affairs patients seeking private sector health care saw a nearly two-month delay for medical appointments in 2018 and the problem could worsen under the new Mission Act, the VA Office of Inspector General reported Thursday.

The inspector general’s report based its conclusions on the region of VA hospitals that includes 1.6 million veterans across Florida, south Georgia, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. VA officials in that region referred more than 206,500 requests in 2018 for community care at clinics outside the VA network, with veterans facing a 56-day wait on average before receiving care, according to the report.
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Military.com breaks down the VA mail you just got so you understand it

Major VA Change Info Coming to Your Mailbox

Military.com
By Amy Bushatz
May 30, 2019

Have you checked your mailbox lately for news from the Department of Veterans Affairs? Veterans around the country have started receiving a letter and brochure from the VA updating them on major changes coming to health care access.

The letter, signed by Dr. Richard Stone, executive in charge of the Veterans Health Administration, is dated May 7 and briefly lays out the changes, including new access benchmarks and a new urgent care benefit.

"We are excited about these changes that will strengthen VA care and care obtained through our community partners," the letter states. "The changes empower you to find the balance in the system that is right for you."

Here's what the flier says about the changes, known as the Mission Act -- and what they mean.

VA Health Care Eligibility
Veterans who have enrolled are eligible for care from VA hospitals based on a tier system that looks at their service-connected injuries, income and other criteria. Although the flier touches on eligibility, this system was not changed by the Mission Act. The flier also mentions an "annual patient enrollment system;" however, veterans do not need to take any action to remain enrolled, although the VA may reassess eligibility.

VA Community Care Eligibility
The Mission Act's predecessor, VA Choice, established rules around who could receive care outside the VA hospital. Based on a variety of factors such as health needs and where the veteran lives, the Choice program let veterans see providers within a civilian health care network.

Now, that community care program has been given an update to include new eligibility standards. You can see a community-based doctor if:

Care is not available within the new access standards, which cap wait times at 20 days and drive times for 30 minutes for primary care and 60 minutes for specialists.

Necessary care is not provided by the VA at a nearby facility.

You live in a designated state or territory where the VA is not full service, including Hawaii, Alaska, New Hampshire, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You are grandfathered into the old Choice rules, which allowed for community-based care if you lived 40 miles or more from the nearest VA hospital.

The VA doctor believes community-based care is best for you.

The VA has designated the type of care you need as not meeting standards.
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