#Middlebury #Veterans
The Veterans Choice Program is no more, replaced by the MISSION Act of 2018. The final parts and pieces of the Veterans Community Care program are now in place.
The MISSION Act (Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks) brings new options, letting you get care out in the community if you qualify. For example:
- You need a service you can’t get at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- You live in an area with no full-service VA facility, such as in New Hampshire, Alaska or Hawaii.
- You’re grandfathered in with distance requirements under the old Choice program, such as 30 minutes to a VA facility for primary care or 60 minutes for specialty care, or a wait of over 20 days for primary care or 28 days for specialty care.
- Your VA doctor thinks it would be best if you get civilian care.
A note for those whose health keeps them at home or who live in rural areas: TeleHealth is now authorized across state lines, which was barred before, under the Anywhere to Anywhere program. (Look at the VA Video Connect app if you think you’ll sign up with video care. It will connect your laptop and phones and other devices.)
Another new option is civilian urgent care. If you come home with the flu or a bug, you don’t have to wait for a VA appointment. You can access a network of retail (like a pharmacy) and walk-in urgent-care locations. Retail is for things like a sore throat or earache, and urgent care is for more serious stuff like wounds and casts. You’ll need to stay within the VA network and have your status verified. The VA also will pay for related short-term prescriptions.
Check vaurgentcarelocator.triwest.com and find your nearest urgent care location, so you’ll know in advance where is.
© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.
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