Claire Dawson
New Hampshire does not have a full-service VA health facility, but there are VA health care services available at 5 locations in the state. The VA Manchester Healthcare System includes the Manchester VA Medical Center and 4 community-based outpatient clinics in Conway, Portsmouth, Somersworth, and Tilton. The Manchester VA Medical Center is a teaching hospital that provides a full range of health services for veterans, with state-of-the-art technology, education, and research. The VA Manchester Healthcare System is dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and their families and is one of the leading health care systems serving veterans in the VA New England Healthcare System.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does New Hampshire have a VA hospital? | New Hampshire does not have a full-service VA health facility. However, there are 5 locations providing health care services, including the Manchester VA Medical Center and 4 community-based outpatient clinics in Conway, Portsmouth, Somersworth, and Tilton. |
What You'll Learn
New Hampshire does not have a full-service VA hospital
The VA Manchester Healthcare System is dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and their families every day. The system includes medical centers and clinics in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island.
Veterans in New Hampshire who require care that the VA Manchester Healthcare System cannot provide within their standards for drive and wait times or quality standards are eligible to receive care from an in-network community provider.
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Veterans can receive care from in-network community providers
Veterans can receive urgent care at VA medical centres and in-network community providers. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in VA healthcare and have received care at a VA or in-network provider in the past 24 months. You can check your eligibility by contacting your local VA health facility or calling 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711). Urgent care covers minor injuries and illnesses, such as strep throat, sprained muscles, and skin and ear infections, as well as diagnostic services like X-rays and lab tests.
The VA Community Care Network (CCN) is the direct link between community providers and the VA, ensuring veterans receive timely and high-quality care. CCN uses industry-standard approaches and guidelines to administer services, pay for services promptly, and manage the network effectively. It is made up of five regional networks that serve as the contract vehicle for the VA to purchase care for veterans from community providers. Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc. (Optum), part of UnitedHealth Group, Inc., is the third-party administrator (TPA) for CCN regions 1, 2, and 3, while TriWest Health Care Alliance (TriWest) serves as the TPA for regions 4 and 5.
Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when the VA cannot provide the required care. This care must be authorised by the VA and is provided on their behalf, with the VA paying for it. Community care is available to veterans based on certain conditions, eligibility requirements, and the veteran's specific needs and circumstances.
External Provider Scheduling (EPS) is a system that enables VA schedulers to book appointments directly with community providers, streamlining the process and reducing the number of phone calls between VA staff, veterans, and community care providers. EPS offers several benefits, including scheduling appointments in under six minutes, multi-appointment scheduling, and real-time access to external provider grids.
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The VA Manchester Healthcare System
New Hampshire does have a VA hospital—the Manchester VA Medical Center, which is part of the VA Manchester Healthcare System. Built in 1950, it is the only Veteran's Affairs medical facility in the state. It is located at 718 Smyth Road, Manchester, and operates under the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide healthcare services to New Hampshire residents who are US military veterans.
The Manchester VA Medical Center is no longer a full-service hospital, with its full-service facility closing in 2001. Veterans requiring inpatient acute care are referred to the Boston VA Medical Center in Massachusetts, the White River Junction VA Medical Center in Vermont, or Concord Hospital, also in New Hampshire.
In 2017, the Manchester VA Medical Center faced criticism for providing sub-standard care and poor conditions. A Boston Globe article published in July of that year outlined issues that had existed for several years, including outdated surgical instruments, failures to maintain the building, and failure to diagnose and treat common spine conditions. In response, the Secretary for Veterans Affairs, David Shulkin, removed two of the centre's top administrators and announced the formation of a special task force to review the provision of medical care for New Hampshire's veterans. Shulkin also pledged $30 million to upgrade the Manchester VA centre.
Despite these issues, the Manchester VA Medical Center had been upgraded to a four-star rating by the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2016. The VA Manchester Healthcare System offers online resources for patients, including access to medical records, prescription refills, and billing information. The Office of Public Affairs can assist local media with queries and interview requests.
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The Manchester VA Medical Center
New Hampshire does have a VA hospital—the Manchester VA Medical Center, which is located in Manchester, New Hampshire. Built in 1950, it is the only Veterans Affairs medical facility in the state. The Manchester VA Medical Center operates under the Department of Veterans Affairs and is part of the VA New England Healthcare System.
The history of the Manchester VA Medical Center dates back to the years following World War I, when efforts began to establish a veterans medical center in New Hampshire. Final approval for the center was granted in 1945, and construction began in 1948 on a parcel of land acquired from the estate of former New Hampshire governor Frederick Smyth. The hospital officially opened its doors on July 2, 1950.
Over the years, the center has undergone several changes and expansions. In the late 1960s, the Manchester VA Medical Center collaborated with Harvard Medical School to offer surgical training and residencies for graduates of Dartmouth Medical School. As the veteran population in New Hampshire aged, a residential nursing home and an ambulatory care wing were added in the late 1970s. The center also established several medical research centers, including one focused on post-traumatic stress disorder.
However, starting in 1999, the center shifted its focus away from inpatient care services. The 28-bed full-service hospital closed in 2001, and veterans requiring inpatient acute care are now referred to VA hospitals in nearby states, such as the Boston VA Medical Center in Massachusetts and the White River Junction VA Medical Center in Vermont. Despite these changes, the Manchester VA Medical Center remains dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of New Hampshire's veteran community, guided by the principles of deep experience and compassion.
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Community-based outpatient clinics in Conway, Portsmouth, Somersworth, and Tilton
New Hampshire has a VA hospital, the VA Manchester Healthcare System, which provides health care services at five locations across the state. This includes the Manchester VA Medical Center and four community-based outpatient clinics in Conway, Portsmouth, Somersworth, and Tilton.
The Conway Community-Based Outpatient Clinic is located at 1750 Elm Street, Brady Sullivan Tower, Suite 200, Manchester, NH 03104-2919. The clinic offers mental health care services and can be contacted via the VA health connect phone line.
The Portsmouth Community-Based Outpatient Clinic is situated at 302 Newmarket Street, Pease Air National Guard Base, Portsmouth, NH 03803-0157. This clinic also provides mental health care and can be reached through the VA health connect line.
The Somersworth Community-Based Outpatient Clinic is found at 5 Terrascape Parkway, Somersworth, NH 03878-1115. Similar to the other clinics, it offers mental health care services and can be accessed via the VA health connect phone number.
The Tilton Community-Based Outpatient Clinic is located at 630 West Main Street, Suite 400, Tilton, NH 03276-5047. Like the other community clinics, it specializes in mental health care and can be contacted through the VA health connect service.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these community-based outpatient clinics offered virtual care-only access starting in March 2020. Veterans enrolled in these CBOC locations continued to receive care virtually via telehealth services, including phone and video appointments.
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Frequently asked questions
New Hampshire does not have a full-service VA health facility. However, there are five locations providing health care services, including the Manchester VA Medical Center and four community-based outpatient clinics in Conway, Portsmouth, Somersworth, and Tilton.
The Manchester VA Medical Center is a teaching hospital that provides a full range of health services for veterans. It has state-of-the-art technology and is part of the VA's educational and research mission.
The four community-based outpatient clinics in Conway, Portsmouth, Somersworth, and Tilton are part of the VA Manchester Healthcare System, which is dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and their families. The system is one of the leading healthcare providers for veterans in the VA New England Healthcare System.
After World War I, citizens of New Hampshire campaigned for a hospital for local veterans. The movement was led by Gov. Francis P. Murphy and John L. Sullivan, who later became Secretary of the Navy. The hospital was approved on March 10, 1945, and construction began in 1948 on land once owned by former New Hampshire governor Frederick Smyth. The hospital opened on July 2, 1950.
Yes, if you live in New Hampshire, you are eligible to receive care from an in-network community provider as there is no full-service VA health facility in the state.
