Health Care Options

To receive health care, veterans generally must be enrolled. Veterans do not have to be enrolled if they: (1) have a service-connected (SC) disability of 50 percent or more; or (2) need care for a compensable disability. A veteran may apply for enrollment at any VA health care facility or veterans' benefits office at any time. There is no time limit. A form, "Application for Health Benefits," VA Form 10-10EZ, must be completed and can be submitted in person or by mail.

Application forms can be obtained by visiting, calling or writing any VA health care facility or veterans' benefits office, or by calling toll-free 1-877-222-VETS (8387).

Application via the Internet is also available at www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/. For information on VA's comprehensive health benefits, eligibility and enrollment you can access VA at www.va.gov/healtheligibility.

For a new VA patient, not already enrolled, the application for enrollment will be generated automatically as part of the patient registration process at the first visit to a VA health care facility. After the veteran has enrolled, VA will send a letter from the VA Health Eligibility Center notifying the veteran of his/her priority group. However, this letter is not necessary to initially receive treatment. Check with the local VA health care facility if there is uncertainty about a veteran's enrollment status.

Once enrolled, most veterans will remain enrolled without further action on their part. However, certain veterans are required to provide income information to determine their priority level. These veterans will be mailed VA Form 10-10EZ for completion on an annual basis for re-enrollment. Failure to update this information could adversely affect a veteran's enrollment status.

Readjustment counseling is provided at Vet Centers to help veterans resolve war-related psychological traumas and to help them achieve a successful postwar readjustment to civilian life. Vet Centers, which came to life as result of aggressive American Legion lobbying on behalf of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and others having difficulty with readjustment, are located in local communities close to the veterans they serve. Assistance typically includes readjustment counseling, spouse/significant other counseling, alcohol/drug abuse counseling and referral, employment assistance, psychological services, benefits counseling referral and homeless veteran assistance. Counseling also is provided to all veterans who have experienced sexual trauma (sexual assault or harassment) while on active duty. In addition to counseling, the Vet Centers provide extensive community outreach and brokering of services for veterans. If you, or a family member, served in any combat zone and received a military campaign ribbon (Vietnam, Southwest Asia, OEF, OIF, etc.) then both you and your family are eligible for Vet Center services.

To locate a contract provider, contact the nearest Vet Center. Vet Centers are listed in the white pages, blue pages and on the web at www.va.gov/rcs.

VA has recently added 50 mobile vet centers to the Vet Center program to provide outreach and direct readjustment counseling at active-duty, reserves and National Guard activities, including post deployment health reassessments for returning combat service members. The vehicles will also be used to visit events typically staffed by local Vet Center staff, including homeless "stand downs," veteran community events, county fairs, and unit reunions at sites ranging from Native American reservations to colleges. At their discretion local managers may arrange with VA hospitals or clinics in the respective region to provide occasional support for health promotion activities such as health screenings. The normal counseling layout can be converted to support emergency medical missions, such as, hurricanes and other natural disasters.

The VA currently has over 800 Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC). VHA implemented these clinics to make access to health care easier. These clinics provide the most common outpatient services, including health and wellness visits, without the hassle of visiting a larger medical center. VHA continues to expand their network of CBOCs to include more rural locations, making access to care closer to home. To find a CBOC nearest to you please visit: https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=health

Community Living Centers provide long-term Care (nursing home care) to veterans who are not acutely ill and not in need of hospital care. VA will provide needed long-term care to any veteran whose service-connected (SC) disability medically requires such care or if they are 70 percent or more service connected. Veterans who are provided Long Term Care for a service connected disability, or who have a combined SC disability rating of 70 percent or more are not charged a copayment for long-term care services.  Whereas nonservice connected veterans and veterans with service connected disability ratings of 60% or less may be subject to VA LTC copayments decided by information collected on the 10-10EC (Extended Care Form; differing from the 10-10EZ Health Care Form). Veterans requiring long term care for a SC disability or who have a service connected rating at 70 percent or higher have mandatory eligibility and cannot be denied VA long term care.  If services are not available in the VA, VA must purchase such care through outside community providers. Additionally, veterans who fall in any of the following categories are eligible for VA long term care services and are not subject to a VA LTC copayment: for a disorder associated with exposure to a toxic substance or radiation, for a disorder associated with service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War, or for any illness associated with service in combat in a war after the Gulf War or during a period of hostility after November 11, 1998.

For information on VA's Long-Term Care program, you can access information at http://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/Guide/LongTermCare/index.asp

Authority: 38 CFR 17.111 - Copayments for extended care services, https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/38/17.111.

State homes are homes approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) which was established by a state for veterans disabled by age, disease, or otherwise who by reason of such disability are incapable of earning a living. State homes include facilities for domiciliary, nursing home care, and/or adult day health care. Hospital care may be included when provided in conjunction with domiciliary or nursing home care. A state home may also provide care to veteran-related family members.

The eligibility for State Veterans Homes varies from state to state. But typically veterans and sometimes their spouse can be admitted to a State Veterans Home. The costs of living in a State Veterans Home are usually paid by Medicaid, long term care insurance and private funds. VA pays a modest share of the cost for each veteran living in a State Veterans Home. You can find information on the State Veterans Home(s) for your state by looking in the state government pages of the telephone book. VA social workers at the VA medical center where you're being treated can also provide information about State Veterans Homes.

More Information:

The National Association State Veterans Homes' has Veterans Homes in every state. To locate a National State Veteran Home, click on the following link, https://nasvh.org/directory/ and proceed to the State Home tab.

Learn more at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

When veterans return from combat, some turn to drugs and/or alcohol to cope with their experiences on the battlefield. Sadly, too many veterans end up in the criminal justice system as a result of their service. Veterans Treatment Courts give our veterans the opportunity to live a sober and stable life while restoring their military honor and their commitment to family and community.

Judge Robert Russell, presiding judge of the Buffalo Drug Court and Buffalo Mental Health Court, created the nation’s first Veterans Treatment Court in January of 2008 in response to the growing number of veterans appearing on his dockets who were addicted to drugs and/or alcohol and/or suffering from mental illness. Immediately following the launch of the Buffalo Veterans Treatment Court, Judge Russell and his team were inundated by requests from courts, elected officials, veterans service organizations, and concerned Americans around the country witnessing the same increases in veterans entering the criminal justice system.

What are Veterans Treatment Courts

The bonds of military service run deep. Veterans have many shared experiences not common among civilians. Research suggests that traditional community services may not be adequately suited to meet the distinct needs of veterans in the criminal justice system.

In Veterans Treatment Courts, those who served in our nation’s Armed Forces go through the treatment court process with their fellow veterans and are connected to the federal, state and local services that are uniquely designed for the distinct needs that arise from military service.

Veterans Treatment Courts follow the Drug Court model. Veterans Treatment Court participants receive first class treatment and other services they require to get back on track and lead constructive lives, yet they are also held accountable by a judge for meeting their obligations to society, themselves and their families. Participants are regularly and randomly tested for alcohol/drug use, required to appear frequently in court for the judge to review their progress, and immediately receive rewards for doing well and sanctions for not living up to their obligations.

Who Participates in a Veterans Treatment Court

Veterans Treatment Courts involve cooperation and collaboration with traditional partners found in Drug and Mental Health Courts, with the addition of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration (Veterans Justice Outreach), Veterans Benefit Administration, state department/agencies of veterans affairs, Vet Center, veterans service organizations, volunteer veteran mentors, and other veteran support organizations.

The American Legion and Veterans Treatment Courts

The American Legion provides an extremely valuable service to Veterans Treatment Courts. The American Legion can assist Veterans Treatment Courts by providing Service Officers, mentors, and linkages to federal, state and community veterans’ resources.

Veterans of the United States Armed Forces may be eligible for a broad range of programs and services provided by the federal U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These benefits are legislated in Title 38 of the United States Code. Veterans may also be eligible for specific programs and or benefits through their states’ veterans agency to include other agencies due to their veteran’s status.

Many veterans who enter the criminal justice system are unaware of their eligibility in VA programs and services. Veterans often require additional expertise from accredited American Legion Department (State) service officers in navigating the filing and/or appealing of a claim, peer support and guidance.

Justice For Vets, National Association of Drug Court Professionals

Justice For Vets, The National Clearinghouse for Veterans Treatment Courts is a professional service organization of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and is the lead organization in the nation implementing, advocating, and influencing public policy for VTC’s.

Resources:

VA&R Health Policy Unit – For questions, please contact us at (202) 861-2700 or via email at var@legion.org

Justice for Vets, the National Clearinghouse for Veteran Treatment Courts- http://www.justiceforvets.org

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Justice Outreach Program - http://www.va.gov/homeless/vjo.asp