Veterans' Access To Va Hospitals: How Far Is Too Far?

Veterans in the US can access healthcare through the country's largest integrated healthcare system, with over 1,200 care locations serving nearly 9 million veterans annually. However, distance can be a barrier to accessing VA healthcare services. Veterans who live far from VA medical centers may face challenges in receiving timely and convenient care. To address this issue, the VA offers various options, including community care, urgent care, and reimbursement for travel expenses or emergency care in non-VA settings under certain conditions. The eligibility for community care and reimbursement depends on factors such as the state of residence, distance from the VA facility, and the availability of specific services.

Veterans far from VA hospitals may receive emergency care outside VA

The VA health care system is the largest integrated health care system in the country, with over 1,200 care locations serving nearly 9 million veterans annually. VA medical centers offer traditional hospital services, including surgery, critical care, mental health, and physical therapy. Most centers also provide specialty services such as oncology, geriatrics, and neurology.

Veterans who live far from VA medical centers may be eligible to receive emergency care outside of the VA. If a veteran requires emergency care and the nearest VA facility is too far away, the VA may cover the cost of treatment at a non-VA facility. This is applicable if the veteran is enrolled in VA health care or has a qualifying exemption, and if the situation is deemed an emergency by a "prudent layperson" with average knowledge of health and medicine.

Veterans who live in certain states and territories, including Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are eligible for care from an in-network community provider as there is no full-service VA health facility in these locations. Additionally, veterans who previously qualified under the Veterans Choice Program's 40-mile distance requirement and still reside at the same address may also be eligible for community care.

In cases where the nearest VA facility cannot provide the required level of care within the standard drive and wait times, veterans may be approved to receive care from an in-network community provider. This includes situations where the VA facility does not meet quality standards or cannot provide certain specialty services, such as cardiology or maternity care.

It is important to note that reimbursement policies and requirements may vary, and veterans should contact their local VA medical center for specific information.

VA may pay for travel to appointments or reimburse veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs may pay for a veteran's travel to medical appointments or reimburse them for their travel expenses. This is done through the Beneficiary Travel program. To be eligible for travel reimbursement, veterans must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Travelling for treatment of a service-connected condition
• Travelling to receive a VA-authorized service dog
• Living in a state or territory without a full-service VA health facility
• Requiring cardiology care that cannot be provided by the local VA health facility
• Requiring maternity care or IVF, which are not provided at any VA facilities

Veterans can file a travel pay claim online via the Beneficiary Travel Self Service System (BTSS). They can also file a claim at kiosks in VA medical centres, help desks, or patient services offices at VA hospitals or local clinics. Hard-copy claims can also be filed via postal mail. Those who file a claim online should expect to receive payment within 3-5 business days, while those who file through other methods may have to wait up to 45 days for reimbursement.

The VA pays a flat rate of 41.5 cents per mile for veterans using their vehicles. If a rideshare, taxi, or public transportation is used, the VA reimburses the actual cost of travel, including tolls and parking. For anything other than mileage reimbursement, veterans are required to submit copies of receipts. There is a deductible amount of $3 for a one-way trip or $6 for a round trip, with a maximum of $18 per calendar month. In some cases, this deductible may be waived.

Veterans can get care at home or via telehealth

The US Department of Veterans Affairs offers a wide range of healthcare services to veterans. These services are provided at over 1,200 care locations, serving nearly 9 million veterans annually. The VA also offers community living centres and assisted living or residential settings for veterans who need more intensive nursing care and help with everyday tasks.

However, for veterans who are unable to access VA medical centres, there are other options available. Firstly, veterans may receive medical treatment, nursing care, and assistance with daily tasks in the comfort of their own homes. This includes phone or video appointments, known as telehealth, which allows veterans to connect with their VA care team remotely. Telehealth services have been significantly expanded, with more than 2.3 million veterans using telehealth to access VA care in 2021. This option is particularly useful for veterans living in rural areas or those who face barriers to accessing in-person care, such as long travel distances or limited internet connectivity.

The VA's ATLAS (Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations) program provides veterans with convenient, comfortable, and private spaces in their communities to connect with VA providers through video visits. These sites are equipped with high-speed internet and technology, enabling veterans to access clinical services that do not require hands-on exams. Additionally, the VA Health Chat app offers instant messaging, allowing veterans quick access to non-urgent medical advice and prescription refills.

In certain cases, the VA may also pay for emergency care in a non-VA setting if the veteran is far from a VA medical centre. This includes coverage for health care services received in foreign countries for the treatment of service-connected disabilities. Furthermore, veterans living in specific states or territories without full-service VA health facilities, such as Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam, are eligible to receive care from in-network community providers. This eligibility also extends to veterans who previously qualified under the Veterans Choice Program's 40-mile distance requirement.

Veterans can get care from in-network community providers

Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care can receive care from in-network community providers in non-VA settings. This is especially relevant for veterans who live far away from a VA medical centre. In such cases, the VA may pay for emergency care in a non-VA setting.

Veterans can also receive urgent care at VA medical centres and in-network urgent care providers near them. This is for minor injuries and illnesses that are not life-threatening, such as strep throat, sprained muscles, skin and ear infections, and pink eye. Veterans can also fill urgent care prescriptions at in-network community pharmacies.

In some cases, the VA may determine that a veteran's local VA health facility does not provide certain types of care that meet their quality standards. In such cases, veterans may be eligible to receive care from in-network community providers for services such as cardiology, maternity, and IVF.

Veterans who live in Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the U.S. Virgin Islands are eligible to receive care from in-network community providers as there are no full-service VA health facilities in these states or territories. Additionally, veterans who previously qualified under the Veterans Choice Program's 40-mile distance requirement and live in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wyoming are eligible for care from in-network community providers.

Veterans must receive approval from their VA health care team before seeking care from a community provider, except in cases of urgent or emergency care. To find out more about eligibility for community care and to schedule appointments, veterans can contact their local VA health facility or call 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711).

Veterans in certain states without full-service VA facilities are eligible for community care

The US Department of Veteran Affairs offers veterans access to the country's largest integrated health care system, with over 1,200 care locations serving nearly 9 million veterans annually. The VA offers a range of services, including hospital-based services like surgery, critical care, mental health, and physical therapy, as well as specialty services like oncology, geriatrics, and neurology.

However, not all veterans live close to a VA medical center. For those who are far away, the VA may pay for emergency care in a non-VA setting until the patient is stable enough to be transferred to a VA facility. Additionally, veterans in certain states without full-service VA facilities are eligible for community care, where the VA will pay for the cost of care from a healthcare provider in their community care network. This includes veterans residing in Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the US Virgin Islands.

To be eligible for community care, veterans must meet certain requirements, including seeking approval from their VA healthcare team before receiving care from a community provider, unless it is an emergency. There are also additional requirements for veterans residing in states with low population densities, such as Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. For these veterans, one of the requirements for community care is that the average drive time to their nearest VA clinic exceeds 30 minutes for primary or mental healthcare. Similarly, for specialty care, if the soonest available appointment date at a VA facility is over 28 days away, or if the average drive time is longer than 60 minutes, veterans may be eligible for community care.

The VA also offers other options for veterans who need assistance with transportation to their appointments. They may be able to help arrange transportation or reimburse veterans for their travel expenses in certain cases. Furthermore, veterans can schedule VA healthcare appointments by phone or online and may be able to receive care virtually through telehealth services, ensuring they can access care when and where they need it.

Frequently asked questions