What are VA priority groups and how do they affect me?
What are VA priority groups and how do they affect me? When you apply for VA health care, we’ll assign you to 1 of 8 priority groups. This system helps to make sure that Veterans who need care right away can get signed up quickly. It also helps to make sure we can provide high quality care to all Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program.
Why choose VA referral coordination?
Veterans can continue to count on VA to provide the highest-quality care. Referral Coordination Teams will help make it easier and faster to schedule appointments with specialists. When Veterans have a choice where and how to receive their care, we want them to choose VA.
What is the VA doing to support veterans with increased demand?
As demand for care is expected to rise later this year, VA will continue to leverage all available care options to make sure Veterans get the care they need while enabling clinicians to spend more time providing direct patient care.
How can the VA help you with mental health?
Over 1.7 million Veterans received mental health services at VA last year. Our services range from peer support with other Veterans to counseling, therapy, medication, or a combination of these options. Our goal is to help you take charge of your treatment and live a full and meaningful life. How do I schedule my first appointment?
How do I get a federal government reassignment?
For those who want to relocate for personal reasons employees may request reassignment under the Internal Placement Program or apply for a hardship transfer. Follow the procedures outlined below and discuss your desires with your supervisor and human resources staff. They can guide you through the process.
Can the VA refuse to treat you?
You can agree to or refuse any treatment. You will be told what is likely to happen to you if you refuse a treatment. Refusing a treatment will not affect your rights to future care but you take responsibility for the impact this decision may have on your health.
Can federal employees be reassigned?
Federal Employee: Eligible Federal employees may be assigned to a non-Federal organization on a detail or may enter into a non-pay status by requesting leave without pay (LWOP). In either case, the assignee remains an employee of the Federal agency and retains the rights and benefits attached to that status.
What is a directed reassignment?
Management-Directed Reassignment - A management-initiated reassignment of an employee to another position within the same function or between functions. Management-directed reassignments may be within or outside the employee's local commuting area.
Will the VA pay for outside treatment?
VA can pay for emergency medical care outside the United States if the emergency is related to your service-connected condition.
What can I do if my VA isn't helping?
First, go to your VA health care team. If you still have concerns, ask to connect with your provider's supervisor or your VA medical center's chief of service. If you need more help, contact your medical center's patient advocate.
How do you reassign an employee?
Meet with the employee to discuss the reassignment plan. Be positive and clear. If there are any performance issues, address them. If an employee requested reassignment, discuss why you agreed to the move and your expectations going forward. In either case, give the employee a specific transfer date.
What is a voluntary reassignment?
“Voluntary reassignment” is any action initiated on behalf of the employee to be reassigned to a different position.
What is involuntary reassignment?
(b) An involuntary reassignment is considered an “administrative reassignment” with the best interests of the government as the primary objectives. (c) Failure of an employee to comply with an involuntary (administrative) reassignment shall result in his immediate separation.
What is the difference between transfer and reassignment?
Reassignment and Transfer "Reassignment" means a change of an employee's status from one position to another position with different performance requirements. "Transfer" means a change in an employee's geographic work location or reporting relationship.
How long can my agency keep me from a lateral transfer?
If it is for a lateral position within the same branch then they can hold you for up to thirty days.
What is non competitive reassignment?
Definition: Reassignment is the noncompetitive movement of an employee to another position for which he/she qualifies at the same grade level and with an equivalent target grade if applicable.
How to access VA mental health services?
To access free VA mental health services right away: Call or walk in to any VA medical center —anytime, day or night. Find your nearest VA health facility. Call or walk in to any Vet Center during clinic hours. Find your nearest Vet Center. Call us at 877-222-8387.
How to contact the VA about homelessness?
Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A trained VA counselor will offer information about VA homelessness programs, health care, and other services in your area. The call is free and confidential.
How many hours a day does the VA provide mental health care?
This includes: Emergency mental health care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, through VA medical centers and some local, non-VA hospitals. The Veterans Crisis Line, which offers support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for Veterans in crisis and their families and friends. Learn more about VA mental health services.
What is the VA mental health number?
We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-877-8339. You don’t need to be enrolled in VA health care to get care. Learn more about accessing VA mental health services. To connect with other resources for Veterans and transitioning service members:
What is the National Alliance on Mental Illness?
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NAMI builds better lives for millions of Americans affected by mental illness by providing education programs for families and individuals living with mental health problems. The Jed Foundation.
Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT)
PACT is the cornerstone of the New Models of Care initiative that is intended to transform the way Veterans receive care.
What is PACT?
A Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) involves each Veteran working together with health care professionals to plan for the whole-person care and life-long health and wellness.
How Does a PACT Function?
A PACT is a partnership between you and your health care team to ensure you receive whole-person care. This is personalized care to meet your individual health care goals. Your care team looks at all aspects of your health with emphasis on prevention and health promotion.
Why is the VA process so easy?
One reason the process was easier is because VA is using Referral Coordination Teams (RCTs). RCTs simplify the process when a Veteran’s health care provider refers them to another provider, whether in VA or in the community.
How many VA visits were made in fiscal 20?
With increased safety measures to minimize exposure to COVID-19, VA completed more than 66 million Veteran visits in fiscal 20, including in-person appointments, telephone and video visits.
How many VA employees are there in 2020?
VA has hired more than 86,000 employees since the end of March 2020. That includes 18,000 registered nurses and nurse practitioners.
How many VA video visits will there be in 2020?
VA’s use of video visits increased by more than 1,700% within fiscal year 2020. Video visits accounted for 160,000 video visits to homes in a single week. “In-person care is absolutely the right way for a provider to meet with a patient for many health concerns.
Can veterans ask for a PACT?
Veterans can ask their provider or PACT team for more information. They can expect these three changes when the teams are in place at their location: More information about available options for appointments, including face-to-face care, virtual care options or even a telephone appointment if that’s appropriate.
Does the Mission Act increase VA care?
With the MISSION Act, VA has also increased opportunities for Veterans to receive community care when VA facilities are too far away, have longer wait-times, and don’t have the care services Veterans need, or other circumstances.
Is VA referral easier than ever?
VA health care referrals are getting easier than ever for Veterans. During Army Veteran Joy Ilem’s recent visit to the Washington, D.C. VA medical center, her primary care provider referred her to a specialist in the community for her annual mammogram.
What is the VA Pact Pain Champions?
The VA PACT Pain Champions Initiative is a program designed to improve pain care options in primary care. The VA Stepped Care Model for pain care recognizes that many positive approaches to pain can be utilized in the primary care setting to improve medication safety and offer many safe and effective options for pain related to self-care, pain education, cognitive behavioral approaches to pain, physical therapy and movement options as well as whole health approaches that incorporate a biospsychosocial approach to pain that also includes complementary integrative approaches such as mindfulness, yoga and auricular acupuncture.#N#Since its inception in 2008 as the primary care pain task force the group has now evolved into the pact pain champions that includes a representative from every facility as well as a representative from every VISN. Each group meets monthly and there is also a monthly community of practice call to share ideas and innovations. Some innovations that have come from this program include primary care based pain teams, involvement in the VA SCOUTT program that improves access to Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in primary care and other non SUD settings, primary care based pain schools, the PACT Pain roadmap that outlines approaches to pain in primary care, and improved access to opioid overdose education and naloxone to name. Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Site.
What is the VHA directive 2009-053?
VHA Directive 2009-053, Pain Management - Veterans Affairs - VHA employs a stepped-care model of pain care that provides for management of most pain conditions in the primary care setting.
What is the right to reassign an employee?
The agency's basic right to reassign an employee is based, in part, on the agency's determination that the employee is qualified for the position to which the employee will be reassigned.
What benefits are available to displaced employees separated by reduction in force?
An employee who is removed by adverse action for declining geographic relocation is potentially eligible for most of the benefits that are available to a displaced employee separated by reduction in force (e.g., intra- and interagency hiring priority, severance pay, discontinued service retirement, etc.).
Can an agency reassign an employee without regard to the employee's reduction in force retention standing?
An agency may reassign an employee without regard to the employee's reduction in force retention standing, including an employee's veterans' preference status. A reassignment to a vacant position at the same grade is not a reduction in force action even if the agency abolishes the employee's former position.
What is Veterans Treatment Court?
Veterans treatment court offers treatment services for SUDs and/or mental health disorders rather than incarceration.
How Does Veterans Treatment Court Work?
Early research on veterans treatment courts shows encouraging results, with many participants reducing substance use as well as mental health symptoms, as exhibiting improved functioning in other areas as well.
Eligibility for Veterans Treatment Court
The eligibility requirements for participating in veterans treatment court vary depending on location. 3 Some courts will accept veterans charged with a misdemeanor or felony, while others will accept only one or the other.
Benefits of Veterans Treatment Court
Veterans treatment courts can improve outcomes for those who have served our country and help better society as a whole. 3 Receiving treatment can help veterans stay sober so they can more effectively manage mental health issues, which can reduce the risk of suicide and additional legal challenges.
Do I Need VA Benefits for Treatment?
You don’t need to be receiving VA benefits to participate in a veterans treatment court. 3 However, VJO staff can help link you to VA benefits and services if you are eligible for them. This can include disability benefits or pension. 3 If you don’t qualify for VA benefits, you can be linked to treatment outside of the VA. 3
Statistics and Effectiveness of Veterans Treatment Court
Although veteran’s treatment courts are relatively new, studies have shown that they are effective. 3,6
Ways to Get in Contact With Us
If you believe you or someone you love may be struggling with addiction, let us hear your story and help you determine a path to treatment.
How many events does the VA sponsor?
Each year, VA sponsors six national events for U.S. military Veterans served by VA medical facilities nationwide. Each program enhances the physical, psycho-social, and emotional well-being of Veterans who participate. Veterans involved in these events and the hundreds of VA employees and volunteers who support them each year all share a strong sense of purpose and camaraderie.#N#Each national event increases awareness of the therapeutic value of recreation, sports, or the creative arts. The events are co-sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs.#N#Veterans’ Service Organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
What is the mission of recreation therapy?
The Mission of the Recreation Therapy Service, a direct-care interdisciplinary service, is to improve and enrich bio-psycho-social functioning through active therapy and/or meaningful therapeutic activities to maintain or improve functional independence and life quality. The intended outcome of the state of art evidence-based clinical interventions is independence in life activities based upon patient/residents needs and goals.
What is a recreation therapist?
Recreation therapists are standard treatment team members in rehabilitation services.#N #In addition, recreation therapists are designated as treatment team members (based upon need) in the acute brain injury, the post-acute brain injury, and the inpatient rehabilitation standards of the commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.
What is adaptive sports grant?
The Adaptive Sports Grant Program is facilitated and managed by the National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events Office (NVSP&SE). The mission of the NVSP&SE office is to provide opportunities for Veterans to improve their independence, well-being, and quality of life through adaptive sports and therapeutic arts programs. VA awards grants to qualifying organizations to plan, develop, manage, and implement programs to provide adaptive sports opportunities for disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces as authorized under 38 United States Code 521A.
Is recreation therapy evidence based?
Current research indicates a significant number of positive health outcomes resulting from participation in recreation therapy and creative arts therapy programs. As a health care provider, evidence based outcomes are critical to the viability of these therapies and the specific health outcomes that are a result of these interventions.
What is BFA in VA?
Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) - an acupuncture protocol where needles are placed in the ear to reduce pain. • Chiropractic Care - hands-on manipulation of the body as a means to properly align the spine and to restore mobility to joints. VA Chiropractic Care Locations.
What is behavioral therapy?
Behavioral therapies can be used to treat pain. The goal of caring for your mental health is to improve the pain experience and restore function by addressing the cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social factors that contribute to the stress of pain.