VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System April D. Bartlett, LMSW Outreach Coordinator August 2015 1
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) VHA Veterans Health Administration NCA National Cemetery Administration VBA Veterans Benefits Administration 2
VA Health Care VA Mission Statement: Honor America s Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and wellbeing. The VA operates the nation s largest integrated health care system with more than 1,400 sites including hospitals, community clinics, community living centers, domiciliary, readjustment counseling centers, and various other facilities. 70% of all health care providers have trained at VA medical facilities! 3
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System: Locations Flint Community Based Outpatient Clinic Jackson Community Based Outpatient Clinic VA Ann Arbor Medical Center Toledo Community Based Outpatient Clinic 4
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System: Service Area MICHIGAN OHIO 5
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS) is a comprehensive, integrated health care delivery system serving Veterans living in Michigan and northwestern Ohio. VAAAHS employs 2,829 employees (27% of whom are Veterans) 120 VAAAHS Physicians Named to Best Doctors in America List for 2014 65,421 Veterans (including 4,618 women) utilized VAAAHS in FY2014 109 Acute Hospital Beds (Critical Care, Telemetry, Medical, Surgical, Acute Psychiatry) 40 Community Living Center (CLC) Beds (Geriatric evaluation and management, Rehabilitation, Palliative Care/End-of-Life Care, Inpatient Respite) 6
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System: Benefits Package Preventive Care Services Immunizations Physical Examinations Health Care Assessments Screening Tests Health Education Programs Outpatient Treatment Services Primary & Specialty Care Emergency Outpatient Care Surgical Mental Health Substance Use Treatment Inpatient (Hospital) Treatment Services Medical Surgical Mental Health Medications and Supplies Prescription medications Over-the-Counter medications Medical/Surgical supplies 7
Specialty Care Services Ann Arbor Arthritis Clinic Sleep Clinic Endoscopy Endocrine Clinic ENT Geriatrics Infectious Disease Invasive Radiology Renal Hemodialysis Liver Hematology/Oncology Chemotherapy Radiation Oncology Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM) Vascular Surgery MRI Palliative Care Plastics Cardiac Surgery Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Surgical Suite Robotic Surgery Bariatric Surgery (NEW) Optometry and Ophthalmology Dental Speech/Audiology Orthopedics Orthotics and Prosthetics Dermatology/Plastics Rheumatology Pulmonary Infectious Disease Neurosurgery Neurology Urology Women s Health Chaplain Services (Spiritual Support) Traumatic Brain Injury Outpatient Spinal Cord Injury Visual Impairment Services 8
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System: Benefits Package Long-Term Care Geriatric Evaluation Hospice/Palliative Care Services Respite Care Homemaker/Home Health Aide Purchased Skilled Home Healthcare Contract Adult Day Health Care Home Based Primary Care Medical Foster Homes Contract Nursing Home Care Telehealth Non-Medical Veteran Services Beneficiary Travel & Transportation Services Caregiver Support My Health-e-Vet Minority Veterans Program Canteen Services Veteran Health Identification Card *Some Benefits Have Special Eligibility Criteria 9
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System: Benefits Package Limited Benefits (require special eligibility criteria include): Ambulance Services Dental Care Eyeglasses and Hearing Aids Home Health Care Maternity and child birth services Non-VA Health Care Services Exclusions (from the Medical Benefits Package include): Abortions and abortion counseling Cosmetic surgery Gender alteration Health club or spa membership In-vitro fertilization Drugs and biological devices not approved by the FDA Services not ordered and provided by licensed/accredited professional staff Special private-duty nursing 10
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System: Women s Services VA offers an array of health care services for women Veterans, including: General medical care for any acute or chronic illness Preventive care such as nutrition counseling, weight control, and smoking cessation Gender-specific care such as preconception counseling before and in-between pregnancies, Pap smears, breast exams, mammograms, birth control, and menopause care VA also supports non-va care for obstetrics and labor & delivery care Specialty services for difficulties such as depression, homelessness, military sexual trauma (MST), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and substance use problems VAAAHS Women Veterans Program Manager Cheryl Allen, RN (734) 845-3660 11
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System: Mental Health Services VA offers an array of Mental Health Services including: Acute Inpatient MH Unit (AIMH) Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry Substance Use Disorder Intensive Outpatient Program Mental Health Clinic Substance Abuse Clinic Suicide Prevention Coordinator and Case Manager SeRV Mental Health (provides case management, mental health screening and crisis intervention to OEF/OIF/OND Veterans PTSD Clinical Team Primary Care-Mental Health Neuropsychology Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM) Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) Program Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program Veterans Integration To Academic Leadership (VITAL) College/University Outreach Veterans Justice Outreach Program (VJO) 12
How Veterans Enroll in Care There are four ways a Veteran may apply for enrollment: Online: When applying at www.va.gov/healthbenefits/enroll Veterans simply fill out the application and electronically submit it to VA for processing. No need to submit additional documents with your application to verify your military service. VA will search for your supporting military information through our electronic information systems and will contact you if we are unable to locate your information. By Mail: The application form can be downloaded from the website above. Complete the form (VA Form 1010EZ) and mail to: VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System Attention: Health Benefits (11U) 2215 Fuller Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48105 Phone: (734) 845-5275 By Phone: Veterans may complete the application over the phone, or have a paper copy mailed to them, by calling 1-877-222-VETS between the hours of 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM ET, Monday-Friday. In Person: Veterans may also apply in person at any VA health care facility. 13
How Who do Qualifies I enroll? and How: Basic Eligibility Basic Eligibility Requirements In order to receive VA health care benefits, a Veteran must fall into one of three categories: A person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. A former Reservist who served full-time for operational support purposes (excluding training). A former National Guard member who was mobilized by a Federal Order. Note: Military discharges other than honorable (i.e. bad conduct) require a VA Regional Office decision to determine if the Veteran s character of discharge is a bar to benefits before routine care may be provided. Those with Uncharacterized or Dishonorable discharges are ineligible for VA health care benefits. 14
How Who do Qualifies I enroll? and How: Minimum Duty In addition to proper character of discharge, Veterans must meet one of the following length of service criteria: Served 24 consecutive months active duty if begun after September 7, 1980 (enlisted), or October 16, 1981 (officers). Served full time when called or ordered to active duty by executive order for Reservists and National Guard members (other than training only). Note: The minimum duty requirement may not apply to Veterans who were discharged for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty or if a Veteran has a compensable service-connected disability. 15
How Who do Qualifies I enroll? and How Combat Veteran Eligibility Criteria Veterans (including activated Reservists and members of the National Guard) are eligible if they served on active duty in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, and have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. Combat Veterans should apply for enrollment within 5 years of the date of discharge or release from active duty. Health Benefits under the Combat Veteran Authority include: Cost-free care and medications provided for conditions potentially related to combat service (they are responsible for applicable copays for treatment of conditions not related to combat service). Enrollment in Priority Group 6 unless eligible for enrollment in a higher priority group. Full access to VA s Medical Benefits Package & time-limited access to VA Dental Care. Enhanced Eligibility Certain Veterans may be afforded enhanced eligibility status such as: Former Prisoners of War (FPOWs) Purple Heart Recipients Medal of Honor Recipients VA awarded Service-Connected Disability of 10% or more Receiving a VA Pension And others visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/veterans for more information. 16
How Who do Qualifies I enroll? and How The number of Veterans who can be enrolled in the health care program is determined by the amount of money Congress gives VA each year. Since funds are limited, VA set up Priority Groups to make sure that those Veterans in need receive the care they earned. A Veteran s income level, service-connected disability rating, or other qualifying factors will determine what Priority Group they will be placed in and whether or not they will have co-payments. Priority Group 1 Veterans with VA service-connected disabilities rated 50% or more. Veterans assigned a total disability rating for compensation based on unemployability. Priority Group 2 Veterans with VA service-connected disability rated 30% or 40%. Priority Group 3 Veterans who are former POWs. Veterans awarded the Purple Heart Medal. Veterans awarded the Medal of Honor. Veterans whose discharge was for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. Veterans with VA service-connected disabilities rated 10% or 20%. Veterans awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38, U.S.C., 1151, benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation. 17
How Who do Qualifies I enroll? and How Priority Group 4 Veterans receiving increased compensation and pension based on their need for regular Aid and Attendance or by reason of being permanently Housebound. Veterans determined by VA to be catastrophically disabled. Priority Group 5 Non-service-connected Veterans and non-compensable service-connected Veterans rates 0%, whose annual income and/or net worth are not greater than the VA income limits. Veterans receiving VA Pension benefits. Veterans eligible for Medicaid. Priority Group 6 Compensable 0% service-connected Veterans. Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during the atmospheric testing or during the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Project 112/SHAD recipients Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975. Veterans of the Persian Gulf War that served in the Southwest Asia Theater of combat operations between August 2, 1990 and November 11, 1998. Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations and discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003, for five years post discharge. 18
How Who do Qualifies I enroll? and How Priority Group 7 Veterans with incomes below the geographic means test (GMT) income limits and who agree to pay the applicable copayment. Priority Group 8 Veterans with gross household incomes above the VA income limits who were enrolled as of January 16, 2003 and who agree to pay the applicable copayment or Veterans with gross household incomes not exceeding the VA Income Limits or GMT Income Limits by more than 10% and who agree to pay the applicable copayment. If you have questions about VA eligibility or enrollment contact the VA Ann Arbor Health Benefits Unit at (734) 769-7100 extension 55275. Note: Applicable Copayments may include Outpatient Copays, Medication Copays, Inpatient Copays, and Long-Term Care Copays. 19
Affordable Care Act (ACA) The health care law was created to: Give more Americans access to quality, affordable care; Lower health care costs; and Improve health care quality for all Americans. If a Veteran is enrolled in VA healthcare, they do not need to do anything else to meet the minimal essential coverage requirements for ACA. 20
Veterans Choice Program Veterans Access, Choice, & Accountability Act of 2014 The Veteran must be: Enrolled in VA health care system prior to August 1, 2014, or A combat Veteran <5 years post discharge Requirements: Must have VA appointment >30 days or live >40 miles from any VA; Treatment must be pre-authorized Choice Program Call Center: (866) 606-8198 21
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System: Contact Information Phone: (734) 769-7100 Website: www.annarbor.va.gov www.facebook.com/vaannarbor www.twitter.com/vaannarbor www.flickr.com/vaannarbor 22
Other VA Contact Information: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs www.va.gov Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255, Press 1 www.veteranscrisisline.net Make the Connection (Shared Experiences & Support for Vets) www.maketheconnection.net/veterans National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 1-877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838) Women Veterans Call Center: 1-855-VA-WOMEN (855-829-6636) VA Caregiver Support Line: 1-855-260-3274 www.caregiver.va.gov 23
Important Websites VA Choice Program Website http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/ Non-VA Care Website http://www.nonvacare.va.gov/ & Provider and Veteran links, Forms, Brochures, & Information Vendor Inquiry System (VIS) https://www.vis.fsc.va.gov/ Identify previous, current, and future payments Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) Financial Services Center http://www.fsc.va.gov/ Offers a wide range of financial and accounting products and services to both the VA and Other Government Agencies. VETERANS VETERANS BENEFITS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION ADMINISTRATION 24
VBA Major Benefit Programs Major Benefit Programs Compensation Pension Housebound/Aid & Attendance Education Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment Life Insurance Home Loan Guaranty Burial Dependents and Survivors VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 25
VBA Benefits: How to Apply Contact VBA for an application by calling PH: 1-800-827-1000 Apply online at www.va.gov Visit Washtenaw County Department of Veterans Affairs: 2155 Hogback Rd. Ann Arbor, MI PH: (734) 973-4540 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 26
National Cemetery Administration National Cemeteries VA Burial Benefits State Veterans Cemeteries Headstone or Marker Burial Flag Presidential Memorial Certificates Burial Cost Reimbursement Service Connected: Up to $2000.00 Non-Service Connected: Up to $745.00 VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 27
VA Burial Benefits National Cemetery Burial 120+ Cemeteries Nationwide Gravesite Opening and Closing Headstone/Marker Burial Flag Funeral Honors Presidential Memorial Certificates Burial Cost Reimbursement Perpetual Care All at No Cost to the Family VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION 28
National Cemetery Administration Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Contact Information National Cemetery Administration www.cem.va.gov Great Lakes National Cemetery 4200 Belford Rd. Holly, MI 48442 Phone: (248) 328-0386 NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION 29
QUESTIONS? 30