Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Overview Jeff Milligan, Director VA North Texas Health Care System August 17, 2015

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Department of Veterans Affairs 1

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Department of Veterans Affairs Consists of 3 agencies: 1.Veterans Benefits Administration 2.Veterans Health Administration 3.National Cemetery Administration 2

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Tell Me About VA Health Care VA operates the largest health care system in the country, with over 1,700 medical centers and clinics across the nation VA health care is portable, so your coverage stays with you if you move or relocate Since your VA medical records are electronic, they are accessible at any VA facility and online, once your transfer is requested Once you become enrolled, you remain enrolled and you can receive VA’s comprehensive medical benefit package 3

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION How to enroll for VA Health Care 4 Apply online at: Apply at your nearest VA Apply via mail to: HEC, Enrollment & Eligibility Center, 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA Call M-F, 8AM-8PM EST

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION What are Some General Medical Benefits? VA offers: Screening exams for: Depression, Substance Abuse, PTSD, TBI, Military Sexual Trauma, Environmental Exposures Primary Care/Preventive Care/Specialty Services Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment Prescription Services Other limited benefits 5

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Once Enrollned you are assigned a Priority Groups 1-8 6

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Priority Groups 7

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Priority Groups 8

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION 5 Years of Cost-Free Health Care for OEF/OIF/OND Combat Veterans 5 Years of Cost Free Health Care OEF/OIF combat Veterans can receive cost free medical care for any condition related to your service in the Iraq/Afghanistan theater for 5 years after the date of your discharge or release This includes 5 years (post-discharge) cost-free health care for any injury or illness associated with your combat service After the 5 year period ends, VA care and treatment will continue At that point, you could be responsible for co-pays that are based on your income and eligibility 9

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION What About Non-Combat Related Conditions? Other Injuries Veterans who have non-combat related or non-service connected illnesses/injuries may be charged a co-pay for these conditions – Determined officially by VA – For example, flu, colds, auto accident, etc. 10

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION One-time Cost Free Dental Evaluation and Treatment for OEF/OIF/OND A Time Sensitive Free Benefit VA offers free dental benefits for evaluation and treatment for recently discharged Veterans You may qualify for these benefits if you meet both of the following requirements: – You served more than 90 days of continued service, and – Your DD214 does not show that you received all needed dental service at least 90 days prior to your separation Note: You must apply for this dental care within 180 days (6 months) of separation from active duty service! 11

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION OEF/OIF/OND Care Management Teams At each VA Medical Center there is a dedicated team for OEF/OIF/OND Returning Combat Veterans They can work with you and your family on post combat concerns including: – Anxiety – Employment – Housing – GI Bill – Marital or readjustment issues Please call for the number of your local VA Medical Center 12

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION VA’s Women Veterans Health Program Attention Female Veterans Since 2000, the number of women Veterans seeking VA health care has doubled To meet their needs, each VA medical facility has a Women Veterans Program Manager VA strives to provide the best health care for women Veterans, including: – Primary care and preventive health – Mental Health – Gynecology and Maternity – Specialty care VA is equipped to deliver one-stop services in women’s health clinics at many VA medical centers VA is rolling out enhanced primary care for women Veterans across the system 13

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION VA Crisis Line Reaching Out Veterans Crisis Hotline can provide support at TALK (8255) or Give the Lifeline number or website to anyone you know who is exhibiting warning signs VA offers a Veterans Crisis Hotline staffed by trained professionals 24 hours a day to help in an immediate crisis Also online Chat Service where Veterans can have one-to-one conversations with Hotline counselors You can also text to Veterans Crisis Line at

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Homeless Veterans Program Resources for those in need VA offers a variety of resources, programs, and benefits for Veterans who are homeless or who are at risk of becoming homeless i.e. HUD-VASH & HCHV Our National Call Center provides free, 24/7 access to trained counselors Our counselors can connect you with resources for housing, health care, food, and other assistance Call AID VET ( ); or Chat live, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week More info: 15

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Veterans Choice Program Overview The Department of Veterans Affairs strives to ensure quality, timely care for all Veterans. In an effort to increase Veterans’ access to health care, VA implemented the Veterans Choice Program (VCP) – a program that allows eligible Veterans to use approved health care providers outside of the VA network. The Veterans Choice Program was implemented as part of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (VACAA).

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Veterans Choice Cards VA mailed all Veterans a Veterans Choice Card. The Choice Card allows you to choose to receive care outside of VA if you qualify for the new program. The Choice Card does not replace the identification card you already use to access other VA benefits. If you are satisfied and wish to continue with your current VA care, there is nothing you need to do at this time. You should save your Choice Card in case you would like to use the program in the future. Don’t worry if you did not receive or have misplaced your Choice Card. Call to find out if you are eligible for the program and to make an appointment.

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Determining Eligibility Veterans must have been enrolled in VA health care on or before August 1, 2014, or you are eligible to enroll as a recently discharged combat Veteran. Additionally, Veterans must meet at least one of the following criteria: You are told by your local VA medical facility that you will need to wait more than 30 days for an appointment from the date clinically determined by your physician, or, if not such date is provided, our preferred date. Your home is more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA medical facility. You need to travel by plane or boat to the VA medical facility closest to your home. You face an unusual or excessive burden in traveling to the closest VA medical facility based on geographic challenges, environmental factors, or a medical condition. Staff at your local VA medical facility will work with you to determine you are eligible for any of these reasons. You reside in a State or a United States Territory without a full-service VA medical facility that provides hospital care, emergency services, and surgical care having a surgical complexity of standard, and reside more than 20 miles from such a VA medical facility. NOTE: This criterion applies to Veterans residing in Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Also note that some Veterans in New Hampshire reside within 20 miles of White River Junction VAMC.

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION VA Job Resources Finding a Job You've served your country, now you are ready for a new challenge. What do you want to do next? Let us help you: – Finding and secure a job, including at the VA – Browse career opportunities – Transfer military to civilian experience on your resume Visit for more informationwww.oefoif.va.gov Dept. of Labor’s ‘Gold Card’ program provides unemployed post-9/11 era Veterans with services they need to succeed in today's job market 19

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION What is a Vet Center? A safe and protected place to talk Confidentiality – no stigma Flexible hours Easily accessible community-based setting Network knowledgeable about the resources available Vet Center staff are >65% combat Veterans Veterans serving Veterans All family members are welcome No cost….ever What They Offer You Individual Counseling Group Counseling Military Sexual Trauma Counseling Marital/Family Counseling Bereavement Counseling Drug and Alcohol Referral Liaison with VA and Community Resources Benefits Assistance Referral Community Education and Career Referral 20

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Online Portal to Your Veterans Benefits 21 It’s your VA - take advantage of your benefits! Ebenefits is your one-stop shop for benefits-related online tools and information Transfer your education benefits Access online TAP briefing on VA benefits Download your DD 214 Apply for benefits View claim status and benefit payments online Print VA home loan guaranty Certificate of Eligibility (CoE)

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION The GI Bill – Invest in Yourself Education & Job Training Examples: Colleges and Universities Non College Degrees Flight Schools Correspondence Schools On the Job Training & Apprenticeship programs License & Certifications examples: Attorney's License C++ Certification Cosmetology License Certified Safety Professional Approved National Exams examples: SAT ACT GRE LSAT 22

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION GI Bill - Going Back to School? Learn More Stay Updated 23

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Are you interested in owning a home? VA Guaranteed Home Loans VA offers guaranteed home loans and refinancing assistance for Veterans Benefits include no down payment, negotiable interest rates and the right to pre-pay with no penalty VA also offers assistance to borrowers in mortgage default due to temporary financial difficulty Special housing grants available for assistance in adapting housing for disabled Veterans To learn more, call:

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Moving Forward In June 2015, VA completed 97 percent of appointments within 30 days of the Veteran’s preferred date, 93 percent within 14 days; 88 percent within 7 days. VA has completed 12 million same-day appointments, which is 20 percent of VA’s total appointments per year. VA also increased VA authorizations for care in the community, including the Choice Program, by 44 percent97 percent of appointments within 30 days Increasing transparency and accountability Improving customer service Veterans proud to call VA their own Training the nation’s health care providers Expanding care for victims of sexual trauma Ending claims backlog at VBA End Veteran homelessness A focus on Women Veterans Recruiting and hiring to provide more access to care for Veterans And much more! 25

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION Questions? 26