Transition and Care Management Program

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) Department of Veterans Affairs

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION How does an OEF/OIF Veteran enroll? Completion of 1010 EZ and DD214 Post Deployment Health Reassessment (PDHRA), Yellow Ribbon Events Walk in to any VA facility Military treatment facility referrals Online at Contact local Transition and Care Management Program office or VA 3

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION VA Health Care Eligibility Service Members must be discharged or separated If currently in active duty status, VA health care can only be provided with Tricare authorization 4

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Combat Veteran Eligibility Enhanced Eligibility for Health Care Benefits (Public Law ) – Under the “Combat Veteran” authority, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides cost-free health care services and nursing home care for conditions possibly related to military service to Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998 for 5 years post active duty discharge Includes activated Reservists and members of the National Guard (over 60% of Pennsylvania’s Veterans) 5 year CV period “re-sets” after each new deployment VA determines eligibility by documentation on Veteran’s DD214 Cost Free care and medications provided for conditions potentially related to combat service and outpatient dental care for 180 days post-separation

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Non Combat Related Care Care for conditions not related to combat may require a copay – Primary care: $15 per visit – Specialty care: $50 per visit – Medications: $8 for a 30 day supply

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Services Available Screening exams and treatment for: PTSD, depression, substance abuse, military sexual trauma, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) Preventative care/primary care Psychiatry and counseling Inpatient and outpatient treatment Prescription services Women’s health care Homeless outreach Justice outreach

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry Sources of environmental toxins during deployment – Burn pit smoke – Sand and dust – Other sources Medical conditions – Skin, eyes, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal Registry – Veterans/Service Members can document exposures and report health concerns – No cost in personal medical evaluation 8

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Transition and Care Management Team Services Case management – Case management screening completed for all returning Veterans Point of contact for all returning Veterans – Promoting the concept of “one stop shopping” Education – Expanded eligibility – Health care benefits – Employment and education Outreach – Post Deployment Health Reassessments (PDHRA) – Welcome Home Event – Fort Indiantown Gap

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Reintegration Issues Psychosocial – Overall readjustment to leaving combat zone or active duty military – Change in structure, leadership – Loss of camaraderie – Return to civilian life – Re-forming relationships – Parenting – Finances, (Un)Employment, School – Civilians “don’t understand” – “Disability” – Navigating VA System

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Screening All OEF/OIF Veterans receiving VA Healthcare are screened for: – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Depression – Substance Abuse – Exposures – Embedded Fragments – Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – Military Sexual Trauma (MST) – Case Management Needs Assessment

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Case Management All OEF/OIF Veterans receiving VA Healthcare are screened for case management needs: – Clinical issues (Physical health concerns) – Housing – Transportation – Relationships – Parenting – Legal – Employment – Education – VA Benefits

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Lebanon VA TCM Team Elizabeth Fenstermacher, LCSW – Program Manager – (717) x5954 Erikka Trotter, LCSW – Social Work Case Manager – (717) x4774 Danielle Klinger, RN, BSN, MHA – Nurse Case Manager – (717) x5596 Tina Leininger – Program Support Assistant – (717) x4565

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Vet Center 14 We Are The People In The VA Who Welcome Home All Combat Veterans With Honor

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Vet Center Mission To Serve Veterans and their families by providing a continuum of quality care that adds value for veterans’ families and communities. Care includes professional readjustment counseling, community education, outreach to special populations, brokering of services with community agencies and provide a key access link between the veteran and other services in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 15

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION What are Vet Centers? Community based Small staff Military identification Experience (established 1979) Flexibility in scheduling Case management Referral for other VA services Individual and group counseling Couples and family counseling Military sexual trauma counseling Bereavement counseling Drug and alcohol assessment

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Eligibility for Vet Center Any Veteran of a combat theater of operations Any Veteran who is a victim of sexual trauma Surviving family members of a service member who died while on active duty 17

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Confidentiality No information will leave the Vet Center without the Veteran’s written consent! 18

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Harrisburg Philadelphia (2 locations) Scranton Williamsport DuBois Erie McKeesport Pittsburgh Norristown Lancaster Bristol 19 Pennsylvania Vet Centers

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Veterans Benefits Administration Compensation Education Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Life Insurance Home Loan Guaranty 20

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Compensation Disabilities are rated from 0% to 100%, Payments begin at 10% rating VA rating is independent of any military rating Compensation is tax free How to apply: Contact VA for the application form by calling Contact your local VSO or County Director of Veteran’s Affairs Office for assistance Or apply on the Internet at 21

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION GI Bill (Chapter 33) Benefit: Total tuition based on State school rates Books and fees, tutorial assistance, living expense stipend 36 months of total benefits 15 years to use benefits Can transfer to dependents Eligibility: (Served on or called to active duty after September 11, 2001) 100% benefit if you have at least 36 months of duty 100% 30 months with service-connected disability 90% 30 to 36 month of duty 80% 24 to 30 months of duty 70% 18 to 24 months of duty 60% 12 to 18 months of duty 50% 6 to 12 months of duty 40% 90 days to 6 months of duty 22

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION General Telephone Numbers For benefits information and assistance, call toll free: TDD: Online: 23

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Questions? 24