Veteran’s Affairs Public Resource for Medical Care, Prosthetics, DME & Other Supports AgrAbility National Training Workshop 2008

History Established in 1930 to administer the veteran’s benefits program First federal commitment dates back to the Revolutionary War Department of Veterans Affairs is the largest single medical care system in the U.S.

Eligibility Honorable discharge from active military service Some periods of military service have length of service requirements Priorities for service are tied to service-connected disabilities, former POWs, veterans awarded special eligibility classifications, veterans meeting income & assets guidelines, but all veterans are eligible Once enrolled, eligibility is automatically renewed annually unless there are budget cuts

Benefits Benefits available to eligible veterans based on military service include: Disability compensation Vocational rehabilitation Service-disabled life insurance Home loan guarantees Health care (SCI, TBI, VI, Prosthetics) Adapted home provisions Uniform Benefits package created a standard health benefit plan for all veterans (Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996)

How to Apply May enroll at any time No time limit tied to your last service date Must provide your DD214 (discharge papers) If DD214 unavailable, other documentation is allowed but the process is much longer St. Louis fire created a documentation problem Documentation of any other medical insurance Enrollment allows a veteran to access services at 1,100 facilities across the country

VA Structure Veteran Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) provide a full range of services Other locations of care are available Community Based Outpatient Clinics are the most common vehicle for determining eligibility and setting up a Primary Care team Reduces travel in rural areas Increases availability of local medical networks Independent clinics serving as private sector contract affiliates

VA Services: Preventive services Primary medical care including outpatient surgery Diagnosis and treatment Surgery Mental health and substance abuse treatment Home healthcare Respite and hospice care Emergency care Drugs & pharmaceuticals

Service Teams Available at VAMCs Spinal Cord Injury Team Traumatic Brain Injury Prosthetics Teams Vision Impairment Team (VIST) A referral from your local PC team expedites the process

Equipment & Modifications Durable medical equipment Prosthetics Adapted software and computers for independence at home Automobile adaptations (hand controls, lifts) Home improvements to provide access to the home and personal care areas of the home Adapted home grants if the veteran has a significant military-related disability

Kansas Examples Farmer who had arthritis and was losing color contrast and visual acuity received funds for color contrast mats for tools, color contrast work mats for workshop floor and adapted tools Older farmer received home modifications for an accessible bathroom, widened interior doors and put a ramp on the side porch Veteran received hand controls and funds toward purchase of an adapted vehicle

To apply: Contact the local Veterans Benefits Office or call VETS Everyone should apply, even if she or he doesn’t expect to be eligible for services The application can be helpful for future healthcare needs Availability of funds can influence what services, DME and modifications are available from year to year

Questions? VETS Community Based Outpatient Clinics Veterans Affairs Medical Center