Last week we introduce this series with some specific answers to general questions often asked and just as often misunderstood. This week we jump into one of the "meatiest" of topics - VA Health Care.
VA Health Care
VA Medical Centers and Community Based Outpatient Clinics
VA Medical Centers provide a wide range of inpatient, outpatient and residential mental health services for veterans. VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics provide medical services and medication management for enrolled veterans. These services may include primary care, behavioral health care, and other special programs. Staff at these clinics can also provide assessment and referral to more specialized services in the community or at the nearest VA Medical Center. You may contact your nearest VA Medical Center for general information, or ask for the program representative for additional information about the programs offered.
Locate a VA Medical Center or Clinic
Website:
http://www.va.gov/directory
VA Health Benefits
VA provides a standard enhanced health benefits plan available to all enrolled veterans and maintains an annual enrollment system to manage the provision of quality hospital and outpatient medical care and treatment. VA provides every active-duty service member, Reservist or National Guard member who serves in a theater of combat operations two years of free health care beginning on the date of discharge or release from service for all illnesses and injuries unless clearly unrelated to military service. At the end of the two-year period, these veterans have the same eligibility for VA medical care as veterans of earlier conflicts, and co-payment status will depend on whether illness or injury is found to be service-connected.
Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Provides a Number of Health Care Services
Hospital, outpatient medical, nursing home, and community-based residential care
Dental, pharmacy, mental health, and prosthetic services
Medical evaluation for military service exposure to environmental hazards
Readjustment counseling
Alcohol and drug dependency treatment
Sexual trauma counseling
Specialized health care for women veterans
Health and rehabilitation programs for homeless veterans
Domiciliary
For Information on Health Care Benefits And Services
Telephone: (877) 222-8387
Website:
http://www.va.gov/health
For Information on Health Care Eligibility
Telephone: (800) 929-8387
Website:
http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility
Online Application for Health Benefits (VA Form 10-10EZ)
Website:
https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez
VA Forms and Publications
Website:
http://www.va.gov/vaforms
Locate a VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Website:
http://www.va.gov/directory
VA Medical Centers Located in Our Area
Website:
http://www.va.gov/visns/visn03
VA New York Harbor Health Care System Brooklyn Campus
800 Poly Place
Brooklyn, NY 11209
(718) 836-6600
Bronx VA Medical Center
130 W Kingsbridge Road
Bronx, NY 10468
(718) 584-9000
VA New York Harbor Health Care System New York Campus
423 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010
(212) 686-7500
St Albans Primary & Extended Care Center
179th St. and Linden Blvd.
St. Albans, NY 11425
(718) 526-1000
VA Medical Center Northport
79 Middleville Road
Northport, NY 11768
(631) 261-4400
Locate a VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Website:
http://www.va.gov/directory
VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics Located in Our Area
Bronx
Brooklyn (Chapel Street)
Harlem
Islip
Lindenhurst
Lynbrook
Patchogue
Plainview
Queens (Thomas P. Noonan)
Riverhead
Soho
My HealtheVet
My HealtheVet provides access to trusted health information, links to VA benefits and resources, a Personal Health Record, online VA prescription refills, and much more. In the future, registered users will be able to view appointments, copay balances, and key portions of their VA medical records online. Website:
http://www.myhealth.va.gov
Health Insurance
TRICARE is a regionally managed health care program for active duty and retired members of the uniformed services, their families, and survivors. Telephone: (877) 874-2273 (TRICARE North Region) Website:
http://www.tricare.osd.mil
Health Care for Women
Each VA Medical Center has a Women Veterans Program Manager (WVPM) who helps women understand their benefits, and coordinates their care. The Women Veterans Program Manager can assist women veterans in establishing their eligibility, understanding their benefits, and obtaining their health care in VA system. The Women Veterans Health Program provides a full range of medical and mental health services, including:
Primary care
Reproductive health
Gynecology services
Patient education
Preventive health screening for breast cancer, cervical cancer and osteoporosis
Screening, counseling, and treatment for sexual trauma, substance abuse, PTSD and domestic violence
Vocational rehabilitation
Homeless programs
Transition assistance separating from military duty
For more information contact your local VA Medical Center's Women Veterans Program Manager.
Women Veterans Health Program
Website:
http://www.va.gov/wvhp
The Center for Women Veterans
Website:
http://www.va.gov/womenvet
DoD Deployment Health & Family Readiness Library
This library provides servicemembers, families, veterans and health care providers an easy way to quickly find deployment health and family readiness information. Website:
http://deploymenthealthlibrary.fhp.osd.mil
Do Not Forget
To find out more about what you might be entitled, contact a veterans service officer from the veteran service organization to which you are a member. You can also contact me at the Town of Oyster Bay's Veterans Services Division at (516) 733-8414. The Town of Oyster Bay is located in the VA's NY/NJ Veterans Healthcare Network - VISN 3 (Veterans Integrated Service Network 3). If you prefer, you can contact the VA directly. For information on Health Care Benefits and Services: Telephone: (877) 222-8387. For information on Monetary Benefits (Disability Compensation, Education, Loan Guaranty, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Insurance): Telephone: (800) 827-1000
P.S.
To answer the question one might ask, "Why didn't you comment on Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Nicholson's resignation?" Who resigned just this week. Since we have no idea who will be his replacement, two thoughts come immediately to mind. Is it a matter of "Goodbye and Good Riddance!" Or, might it be "From the Frying Pan into the Fire!!!" Let's wait and see.
--- Regards, Walt Schmidt
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