Under a new law proposed before Congress, veterans would be able to get private-sector care and have the VA pay for it much easier.
The legislation is called the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act, and it would allow vets to find and make their own appointments at private-sector offices that fall within the department’s network.
That means vets would no longer need to get approval from the department if they want to get community care. They would simply need their primary-care doctor to give them approval.
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“This legislation is a step in the right direction that ensures our veterans will be able to obtain timely and quality care,” said Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., the bill’s sponsor. “By allowing our veterans to access community care facilities, we can ensure that no veteran goes without care.”
The legislation is largely based on 2016 recommendations by a congressionally appointed commission, which included a proposal to allow veterans themselves to choose their private-sector care to alleviate wait times.
The time it takes a veteran to receive community care by going through the current referral system varies depending on where they live, the services they need, and the urgency of the health situation.
via Military.com
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According to the VA, when a vet needs urgent care they are consistently getting it within two days in the community. When it comes to scheduling routine care, on average that takes 30 days.
The VA is being pushed to make sure vets’ can get the appointments they need in a timely manner.
If the new legislation passes, there would be a required testing phase where the VA must implement the new program for 3 years in multiple locations. After four years, the program would then be implemented nationwide.
The VA’s proposed budget for next year received a $7.6B increase from Biden. A portion of this boost is reportedly directly tied to the larger role of private-sector care, stated VA Secretary McDonough.
I am a disabled vet and the VA has paid to have a stairlift installed in my house. Also they have put in a ramp so that my scooter and wheelchair can be driven or pushed to the parking area behind my house. I am very grateful for this although it took a few months to accomplish this. It was all arranged and paid for by VA. The only problem I have a present is a vehicle that has the capability to haul my scooter or wheel chair to appointments or to go shopping. Being on a limited income makes it impossible to purchase a vehicle. I lost mine during the pandemic because I could no longer afford the payments, insurance or gas.
I have been trying for 52 years to get my medical records from the Army and sent many letter and got nothing. My wife who retired from the Navy has no problems. Where do we go from here?
Hey bud!! Have you gone through the process with the various VA apps (iOS & Android)?
I registered as recommended and I know have all the information the VA has regarding all things me.
It’s packed with letters etc… that you will need. You can go through the entire process online.
Call: 888-979-7713. They can help you get paid while caring for your Dad. God bless you.
I’m a USAF veteran 1979-1983
If all veterans will pull together and contact the Veteran Affairs committee we will get a lot further
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
United States Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Russell Senate Building – Room 412, Washington, D.C. 20510-6050
Majority Staff (202) 224-9126, Minority Staff (202) 224-2074
pass this along to all you know veterans and civilian to write in for better care for those whom served
I am a NAVY veteran with 24 years enlistment. Served in WW2,Korean war,and Vietnam war. I am 94 years old. I am trying to apply at the ArmedForcesRetirementHome,but there is a requirement to have Medicare B&D. I did not enroll in Medicare when I reach 65 yrs. old, because when I retired I was able to enroll in TRICARE for life. And if I enrolled in Medicare, the cost is quite high, with my Social Security was only $428.00. Wheras Medicare cost $93.00 a month. I also try to apply at the ACTS retirement facilities which I can hardly afford in my retirement income. I expressed my predicament because I just happen to find out about Veterans Affairs that says they can help us Veterans. Thank you.
All veterans with Honorable discharge need free medical care. we elected to serve our country and put our lives on the line for freedom.
We sacrificed our lives and separation from our families to assure this great country will remain the best of the best for all citizens.
A lot of Veterans are struggling to pay the expensive medical bills and I am one of them. I have stage 4 prostate cancer and my medical bills keep adding up. The VA does a great job but with life ending medical care they seem to give the minim and one really needs to go to the private sector to get the best care. Don’t get me wrong the VA has some of the best care physicians which I trust but when it involves life or death it it best to go private no matter what the cost.
Thank you.
Please feel free to contact me.
440.371.7455
John C. Haynes
I m a perm n totally 100% disabled vet
Every time I have to have a consult renewed for my back doctor the VA drops the ball
I m then left without continuity of care. Depending on how long it takes the VA to get off their Laurels my condition gets worse and I loose all the improvements with being able to be up and about.
Also I was referred to an allergy doctor by my primary care community doctor back the first week of September and am still awaiting VA approval to get tested for my allergies
Is this really how those who were protecting this nation should be treated
Veterans should have the same top notch care that Congress gets
The VA must get our Vets Dental Care outside if the VA hospitals as many of us vets cannot drive long distances l
It’s available. Get a good va rep to help you. I have never been to a VA dentist, always a private dentist.
I am a nasssua vet. Used the o go to Plainview VA off of old country road. Now closed . The VA should have bought that property . It had the buildings to make specialty clinics .
But no, everything is Northport hospital which is over crowded.
Too bad.
May this new program will work. For all.
Iam vet and in need of dental care and been denied ear. Care.vetnam vet’s are forgotten soldiers any way.
I am 100% disabled Totally and perm. veteran. Many times Dr.s have prescribed antibiotics just before I have had to have surgery. There is no program to pay for these drugs as they have to be picked up from a local non VA druggist.. I always use my Tricare for Life Ins. but still have to pay a co-pay. Why does the VA not give us a card that would pay for these prescriptions in full?
I’m 100 percent perm/total. I get my prescriptions from the doctors office and they(the Doc) faxes them to the VA. I have a boatload of meds and pay 0. Well worth looking into
Paying for my dental myself outside VA came I get refunded back ?
I WISH TO INQUIRE ABOUT DENTAL AND RX benefits. I am 76 and receive Medicare but it does not pay any for Dental and not all of my Diabetic meds and supplies. I am in
SC if this makes a difference.
Ive been taking care of my 90 year old dad which takes 24-7 care, and im honored to be able to do it, im 65 and disabled since o4-01-2013, ive had a fusion, L4and5, blind in right eye, pacemaker since oct 2002, now a stint and whstever else, cant seem to get the care i need for myself but taking care of dad has to be done and im the only one left, im not complaing but i don’t get paid for this, dad gets alot of help through the VA and we appreciate it however hes getting older. Im afraid before long im gonna be needing a ramp put in one day and i just cant do some of that kind of work any longer, i give out, so ive gotta juggle my activities too stretch out my days and nights to handle it, i promised him years ago he would never have to go in a nursing home as long as i was able and i do mean it, its my pleasure, but if theres any thing out there that might could help me out, id surely appreciate it, however im night sure where too look and i get headaches after about 10 minutes of reading. It makes it difficult anymore. So if yall have any suggestions that could help me, id surely be mighty greatful, guess thsts about it, thank you, Thomas A Beasley Sr.
First off you mentioned a ramp may be needed. The VA will pay for a one time ramp. Secondly I would suggest you make. An appointment and speak to a VA social worker about your dad’s needs.
There are grants available for home modification for veterans
You should also be paid as a caretaker through the VA
Both of these and other benefits are available
Call: 888-979-7713
I’m a USAF veteran 1979-1983
Great idea, thanks
I hope someday this coverage will extend to dental.
Great idea but it will still be slow. Everytime I need care I wait two weeks and call my Congresswomans representative. It has never taken over two days after complaint for approval.. Sad that that is required but so be it because I’ve tried everything else and this is the only thing that helps.
This will be a great change. I currently have bad knees. One will probably have to be replaced. But I would like to get a second opinion. By the time I go through the referral process my knee may need extensive repair.
Will this cover spouses
I became widow of a 100 per cent disabled vet in Dec. of 2021 and would like to know what the benefits a spouse has too. All the paperwork you do and still don’t know if I will get a widow’s pension or not. It looks like they would have someone that could help you get all this done or give you directions on what you need to do after the death of a veteran.
I have to have my ears cleaned every 6 months by an outside provider because the VA doesn’t have the proper equipment or skills to do the job. It cost me $75 each time or $150 a year. I could have the VA pay an agreed upon price.
All good but when will we get our refund of copays from 2020??????
That would be much better for all of us Veterans! Always have to get a damn referral for the outside the VA Doctor’s care. Which takes to long! And it is a waiting process that should have been changed a long time ago. I’m all for it. And I can see local doc’s. Instead of my son driving me to the VA Hospital.
Thank you!
Richard Salazar
The VA has been given more money on top of what even they have ask for but even with that it never helped to improve their care. When this was approved to allow us to go outside the VA for our care the VA some how was given the right to decide who and where we would be allowed to go. This why the VA needs to be overhauled.The VA is still not allowing us to have excess to better care.
Great move for vets I’m a veitnam vet with periheral neuropathy but va denied it I like otto see a outside doctor I’m happy we got support thank you all that may it happen.
Excellent idea please!!