HomeMy WebLinkAbout051925 - Access to non-VA care no longer requires secondary approvalALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
VA provides care to Veterans through community providers when VA cannot provide the care needed. Community care is based on specific eligibi
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UMk1W33Aw=405>
NewsFlash
Access to non-VA care no longer requires secondary approval
WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced changes that will make it easier for VA-enrolled Veterans to access health care from non-VA providers <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/
CL0/https:%2F%2Fnews.va.gov%2Fpress-room%2Fva-makes-it-easier-for-veterans-to-use-community-care%2F/1/01000196eac6f90e-97fb45ef-d38f-4832-afa6-043fb2e9968a-000000/DHNnU_IRDtKyK2Wf6hWffVqQekMC2L5nn_b6
0Gob0zA=405> at the department’s expense. Effective immediately, VA will implement language in the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act
that removes this extra review step. The change will give eligible Veterans faster access to community care. The new, streamlined process for determining best medical interest will
be backed by training for Veterans Health Administration employees to ensure compliance with the Elizabeth Dole Act.
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eo-_9UdXorP_6UzaJftiW4uzhD0faLv5Zf_Dg7kbk=405>
The VA Community Care Network (CCN) <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.va.gov%2FCOMMUNITYCARE%2Fproviders%2FCommunity-Care-Network.asp/1/01000196eac6f90e-97fb45ef-d38f-4832-afa6-043
fb2e9968a-000000/-D4zlAHtyaGuk3P-rQGZvjYyta19WFDDxqsZqVJfP6w=405> is VA’s direct link with community providers to ensure Veterans receive timely, high-quality care. CCN uses industry-standard
approaches and guidelines to administer services, pay for services promptly, and manage the network to its full potential.
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➤ NewsFlash <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mirecc.va.gov%2Fvisn20%2FNewsflash%2Findex.asp/2/01000196eac6f90e-97fb45ef-d38f-4832-afa6-043fb2e9968a-000000/75BgOt7FF5QqSZBvcdKedQfg
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➤ Adaptive Sports <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mirecc.va.gov%2Fvisn20%2FNewsflash%2FAdaptiveSports.asp/1/01000196eac6f90e-97fb45ef-d38f-4832-afa6-043fb2e9968a-000000/QI24a5DaO
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T8e1fF6zajG-eIbEiE3b0S9EHADGAhXtpvqw70wNVM=405>
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➤ Transition Assistance <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mirecc.va.gov%2Fvisn20%2FNewsflash%2FTransitionAssistance.asp/1/01000196eac6f90e-97fb45ef-d38f-4832-afa6-043fb2e9968a-0000
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➤ Warrior Care <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.mirecc.va.gov%2Fvisn20%2FNewsflash%2FWarriorCare.asp/1/01000196eac6f90e-97fb45ef-d38f-4832-afa6-043fb2e9968a-000000/4e9VnJyRTWyVU_h
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FORWARD MARCH: Community providers can deliver care to Veterans on behalf of VA. VA's CCN <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.va.gov%2FCOMMUNITYCARE%2Fproviders%2FCommunity-Care-Netw
ork.asp/2/01000196eac6f90e-97fb45ef-d38f-4832-afa6-043fb2e9968a-000000/XNog4shVmPz-cvEkR4vlJVXy2ctCqyzsaeFgLxDkMa4=405> is the preferred national network used to purchase care for eligible
Veterans in their community.
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Background
Since 2019, the MISSION Act has given eligible Veterans the option of seeking community care outside VA <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.va.gov%2FCOMMUNITYCARE%2Findex.asp/1/01000
196eac6f90e-97fb45ef-d38f-4832-afa6-043fb2e9968a-000000/iHq6lf_o2WVcqi0hhPzfjKvtZCU6MIAA0UYJNhDxQFk=405> when they meet any one of six conditions:
* When it is in the best medical interest of the Veteran.
* The care required is not available at a VA medical facility.
* The Veteran lives in a state or territory that does not have a full-service VA facility
* VA cannot meet wait time or distance standards:
* VA cannot offer an appointment within 20 days for primary care, mental health or non-institutional extended care, or within 28 days for specialty care.
* It takes more than a 30-minute drive to reach primary or mental health care, or a 60-minute drive for specialty care.
* VA service does not meet certain quality standards.
* The Veteran meets the grandfathered distance and location provisions of the former Veterans Choice Program.
Since 2019, the MISSION Act has enabled VA-enrolled Veterans to access health care from non-VA providers at the department’s expense when it is in their best medical interest. These
decisions have been made jointly by Veterans and their referring clinicians but were not considered final until they were reviewed by a second VA doctor.
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About VISN 20 and NW MIRECC
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VA Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 20 serves Alaska, Washington, Oregon, most of Idaho, and one county each in Montana and California. Operating across three time zones over
817,417 square miles, VISN 20 is home to 273 federally recognized American Indian and Alaskan Native tribes. Spanning 23% of US land mass, VISN 20 is the largest geographic region of
VA. NW MIRECC brings together complementary research, education, and clinical programs from VA Puget Sound (VAPSHCS) and the VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS). The collaborative
approach to mental health research, education and treatment has had a profound impact on the lives of Veterans.
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VAPSHCS and VAPORHCS were commissioned by Congress and the VA as one of the first three MIRECCs in the United States <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fgcc02.safelinks.protection.outloo
k.com%2F%3Furl=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.mirecc.va.gov%252Fvisn20%252FAbout_NWMIRECC%252Fnwmirecc-history.asp%26data=05%257C02%257C%257Cb62e861b39334593693308dc2d828a49%257Ce95f1b23abaf45ee821db7ab251a
b3bf%257C0%257C0%257C638435285899560228%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C0%257C%257C%257C%26sdata=VdwUqaI%252B7itapmlk9pptEN7U1n1fg
6%252FyJXHVAEHVr%252F4%253D%26reserved=0/1/01000194b0cb14ca-ac446921-8aa6-4ef1-b529-d0324b9dc2cb-000000/XKWGNaSEeA4Qr0A-fszk2d30V6QGn1vhm65dwQ8wbm0=390> . The mission of NW MIRECC is
to improve the quality of life and function of Veterans by developing, evaluating, and promoting the implementation of effective treatments for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
and its complex comorbidities. PTSD comorbidities include the behavioral consequences of repetitive blast mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), chronic pain
(in particular, post-concussive headaches), cognitive impairment, and increased risk for neurodegenerative disorders (chronic traumatic encephalopathy [CTE] and Alzheimer’s disease
[AD]). VA MIRECC's provide for the improvement of the provision of health-care services and related counseling services to eligible veterans suffering from mental illness (especially
mental illness related to service-related conditions) through—
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* the conduct of research (including research on improving mental health service facilities of the Department and on improving the delivery of mental health services by the Department);
* the education and training of health care personnel of the Department; and
* the development of improved models and systems for the furnishing of mental health services by the Department.
As part of the VISN 20 NW MIRECC mission to enhance access to mental health expertise, the NW MIRECC collaborates and consults with other MIRECCs and Centers of Excellence, as well as
with other VA, Department of Defense (DoD), Federal, State departments of Veterans Affairs, community agencies, and experts. The close geographic proximity (40 miles) of DoD Joint Base
Lewis-McChord/Madigan Army Medical Center to VAPSHCS has provided an exciting opportunity to develop innovative and productive research, education, and clinical care collaborations
with DoD personnel that address PTSD and its associated conditions in their early stages in active-duty Servicemembers.
VA ranks as one of the nation's leaders in health research. Every year, thousands of research studies are conducted at VA medical centers, outpatient clinics, and nursing homes. For
example, the VA has:
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* Developed artificial limbs that allow amputees to have more independence and better quality of life
* Invented the cardiac pacemaker
* Performed the first successful liver transplantation
* Developed the nicotine patch to help people stop smoking
* Played a major role in the development of the CT/CAT scan to view the inside of the body
* Tested new drugs and treatments for diseases such as AIDS, Diabetes, Alzheimer's and Osteoporosis
NW MIRECC research studies significantly contribute to advancements in our understanding of medical problems that lead to health improvements for Veterans and civilians alike. Research
studies at NW MIRECC are currently enrolling Military Veterans, First Responders, Health Care workers, and Civilians in Seattle, Washington <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fgcc02.saf
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.
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VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS)
Mail Stop: P3MIRECC
3710 SW US Veterans Hospital Road
Portland, OR 97239
Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.vetcenter.va.gov%2F/1/01000196eac6f90e-97fb45ef-d38f-4832-afa6-043fb2e9968a-000000/uJFwVIiGhgqr
3E08yA5UaYzOQS0t5miH9Oh2hfmENbI=405> that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty
Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. Vet Center Call Center 1-877-927-8387
(1-877-WAR-VETS) <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.vetcenter.va.gov%2FVETCENTER%2Fmedia%2FCall-Center-PSA.asp/1/01000196eac6f90e-97fb45ef-d38f-4832-afa6-043fb2e9968a-000000/1o-086
fPQjYba7qY4NMpPJIpZGZQA8keppt4fCT697Y=405> is an around the clock confidential call center where Veterans, service members and their families can talk about their military experience
or any other issue they are facing in transitioning after military service or trauma and get connected to their nearest Vet Center. Signed into law in 2020, the National Suicide Hotline
Designation Act authorized 988 as the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans may dial 988 and press 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans
may reach the Veterans Crisis Line through chat (VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.veteranscrisisline.net%2Fget-help-now%2Fchat%2F/1/01000196eac6f90e-9
7fb45ef-d38f-4832-afa6-043fb2e9968a-000000/AJPTvn-WXXxpyFX3WTgRt2PGG25DsewyVIgie7MVn0g=405> ).
Use of these Materials and Finding VA Health Care: Please note that the health care information provided in these materials is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the
role of a medical practitioner for advice on care and treatment. If you are looking for professional medical care, find your local VA healthcare center by using the VA Facilities Locator
& Directory <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.va.gov%2Fdirectory%2Fguide%2Fhome.asp/1/01000196eac6f90e-97fb45ef-d38f-4832-afa6-043fb2e9968a-000000/rEQY4FQJUVqx801A1vBj2AES8gJxrOrC
ajCZovO58RM=405> . Financial Readiness resources are also for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a financial advisor for advice on savings and investments. Investing
in your future means saving for retirement, college or a rainy day fund. If you're working with an investment professional, or someone is trying to sell you an investment, check them
out before handing over your hard-earned money <https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fadviserinfo.sec.gov%2F/1/01000196eac6f90e-97fb45ef-d38f-4832-afa6-043fb2e9968a-000000/1Ov1E0OMP3_gWC_v
F7DttwsR1aKh3CPy9fYWaP1_Vhw=405> . NewsFlash pages may contain links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible
for the content of the linked websites. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.
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We are not responsible for the content of any "off-site" web pages referenced from this server. Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement
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