U.S. military veterans can receive excellent medical care at VA medical facilities. However, if it cannot provide the services that a veteran need, a physician might refer them to another facility, medical specialist, or outside the VA network to a private hospital. The VA will pay for the services provided if they have met the eligibility requirements.
Marc Whitehead & Associates, Attorneys at Law, LLP, is dedicated to assisting clients with disability claims for veterans who qualify. Our focus is on ensuring eligible veterans receive the benefits and support they deserve. We leverage our knowledge and experience to guide clients to the necessary resources to fully address their issues. With a team of highly experienced attorneys, we have successfully helped numerous veterans throughout the U.S. Call today for a free consultation.
The VA healthcare system is the first resource for medical treatment
The VA healthcare system includes medical centers that offer a complete slate of medical and surgical services, including community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), facilities that offer counseling and outreach services, and community living centers that provide nursing care and assistance. Veterans confused by the VA bureaucracy should connect with a knowledgeable veteran’s claim attorney for help to determine which facility is best suited to treat their issues.
They will be eligible for healthcare benefits within the VA system if they have served 24 continuous months or the full term for which they were called into active duty in a branch of the U.S. military.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-562-9830
Veterans may be eligible for Community Care outside of the VA healthcare system
The VA ended its Choice Program in 2019 but adopted many of the elements of that program into its Veteran Community Care program. It enables veterans to receive healthcare services through non-VA healthcare providers in their local communities as long as they meet specific eligibility requirements. These requirements include current enrollment and eligibility for VA healthcare services and prior approval from a VA healthcare team member.
Military service personnel can take advantage of the Veteran Community Care program when:
- A veteran needs a service such as dialysis that a VA medical center does not provide.
- There are no full-service VA health facilities in the veteran’s state or territory.
- There are full-service facilities, but the veteran lives more than 40 miles from the closest one.
- If the VA cannot schedule an appointment for mental health or specialty services within a 30-minute drive of the veteran’s home, or an appointment with a specialist at a VA facility is unavailable in a timely manner.
- Specialty care outside the VA is in the veteran’s best medical interest.
- The quality of care that may be available at a VA facility does not meet the standards required to treat their specific medical condition.
Veterans can receive emergency care in a non-VA healthcare facility
The VA defines a medical emergency as an injury, illness, or symptom that is so severe that any delay would be reasonably expected to endanger the veteran’s life or health. For example, a veteran who is having a mental health crisis or exhibiting tendencies toward self-harm should immediately call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
They should inform the treating physician that VA benefits cover them and should ask the physician or emergency facility to immediately notify the VA of the visit and the services provided at that visit.
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Call Marc Whitehead & Associates for a free consultation
If you need help with your VA disability claim, we charge no money upfront and take clients nationally. We leverage our experience and knowledge to build a strong case for a favorable outcome while working closely with your doctors to achieve this. We monitor the progress of your case and provide additional evidence, information, or clarification if requested. Schedule your free consultation to get started.
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
