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. Call or visit your local VA Community Resource and Referral Center.
Full Answer
Where can I get help with mental health and VA services?
They can provide information about mental health and VA services, as well as tips for how to begin the conversation about treatment with a loved one. To reach a licensed psychologist or social worker: Contact Coaching into Care online; Or call 888-823-7458, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET
Who do I call if I need help from the VA?
You can call 877-222-8387 to find the right resources for your needs. If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-877-8339. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. It’s hard for me to get to a VA facility in person.
How do I get help from the VA for 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.
Can a veteran get emergency health care in a non-VA facility?
Getting emergency health care in a non-VA health care facility paid for by the Veterans Administration is allowed but often difficult for veterans to succeed at. There are very strict guidelines to this benefit.
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 is a VA hardship?
What is VA financial hardship? “Financial hardship” for purposes of requesting expediting of your VA disability claim means that you, the veteran, are unable to earn enough income to pay essential expenses such as housing payments or medical expenses relating to your disability.
Can I go to urgent care instead of VA?
IMPORTANT: VA can only pay for urgent care if the provider is part of the VA contracted network. NOTE: The urgent care provider will confirm your eligibility.
What does the VA consider an emergency?
During a medical emergency, Veterans should immediately seek care at the nearest medical facility. A medical emergency is an injury, illness or symptom so severe that without immediate treatment, you believe your life or health is in danger.
Can I get a cash advance on my VA disability?
Fortunately, cash advances for Veterans may be an option for those who have served and are currently in need of quick financial assistance. Even those with bad credit may be able to find funding. A bad credit score or lack of credit history can make it difficult to receive traditional lenders' funding.
What is a 1010ezr?
VA Form 10-10EZR is used by VA to update your personal, insurance, or financial information after you are enrolled.
How do I use the VA mission act?
When you arrive, verify they are part of VA's contracted network, complete the intake form, and tell the provider you would like to use your VA urgent care benefit. The provider will check your eligibility. Both Veterans and providers can call 1-833-4VETNOW (1-833-483-8669) to confirm eligibility.
Can Veterans use local hospitals?
VA provides health care for Veterans from providers in your local community outside of VA. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. This care is provided on behalf of and paid for by VA.
What is the mission act?
The MISSION Act sought to provide greater access to health care both in VA facilities and in the community, expand benefits for caregivers, and improve the VA's ability to recruit and retain the best medical providers.
Will the VA pay for ambulance?
VA Payments for Emergency Transportation VA can pay for emergency transportation provided by a community provider for a Veteran's service-connected condition and nonservice-connected condition, but there are specific requirements that must be met before VA can reimburse these costs*.
Does the VA pay for all medical expenses?
All Veterans receive coverage for most care and services, but only some will qualify for added benefits like dental care. The full list of your covered benefits depends on: Your priority group, and. The advice of your VA primary care provider (your main doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant), and.
What is VA choice program?
The Veteran Choice Program (VCP) is a benefit that enables eligible Veterans to receive health care from a provider in the community instead of waiting for a VA appointment or having to travel to a VA facility.
What is the first requirement for an ER visit?
The first requirement is the ER visit must meet the definition of an emergency. The definition of an emergency is based on the “prudent layperson” standard that a delay in care would be hazardous to life or health . This is often a difficult test for a veteran to argue with a VA administrator. Veterans must use the VA for healthcare ...
How long does it take to appeal a VA denial?
The denial can be appealed . The appeal must be made with one year of the denial letter. Get legal assistance as soon as possible in the event of a denial.
Do veterans have to be registered with the VA?
Veterans must use the VA for healthcare and be registered as a VA patient. It is not an exclusive requirement that the veteran receive all their health care at the VA but the veteran must have accessed health care at a VA facility within 24 months prior to the emergency room visit. The veteran cannot have any other insurance nor can ...
Can you contact the VA after emergency care?
This is not always reasonably possible but usually expected. Veterans are advised to contact the VA as soon as possible after receiving emergency care. A recommended way to meet this requirement is to have the ER physician contact the closest VA facility to consult with the VA ER physician on a treatment plan.
Can a veteran have any other insurance?
The veteran cannot have any other insurance nor can a third-party have any liability for the illness or injury which the veteran is seeking care. This could include workman comp and other situations when a third-party caused the illness or injury.
Can you get emergency care in a non-VA hospital?
Getting emergency health care in a non-VA health care facility paid for by the Veterans Administration is allowed but often difficult for veterans to succeed at. There are very strict guidelines to this benefit. A veteran trying to get their non-VA emergency room visit paid for must meet ALL the requirements.
What is the VA emergency care number?
Community Care Call Center: 877-881-7618, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time. Emergency Care in Foreign Countries. VA can pay for emergency medical care outside the United States if the emergency is related to your service-connected condition.
How long does it take for a VA to report an emergency?
Notifying VA of an emergency event allows covered Veterans to have their emergency treatment authorized by VA. Failure to report emergency care to VA within 72 hours of the start of the emergency treatment may impact your eligibility for VA to cover the cost of treatment.
What is an emergency department?
IMPORTANT: An emergency department is a facility that is staffed and equipped to provide emergency treatment and does not include community facilities that only provide medical treatment in situations other than emergencies. You, or someone acting on your behalf, can also report the emergency treatment to VA.
What is a medical emergency?
A medical emergency is an injury, illness or symptom so severe that a delay in seeking immediate medical attention would be reasonably expected to be hazardous to life or health. If you believe your life or health is in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department right away.
Do you have to be enrolled in the VA health care system?
Each authority requires the following: You must be enrolled in the VA health care system or have a qualifying exemption from enrollment. A VA health care facility or other federal facility with the capability to provide the necessary emergency services must not be feasibly available* to provide the emergency treatment.
Is emergency treatment covered by the VA?
The claim is timely filed. NOTE: Emergency treatment is only covered until you can be safely transferred to a VA or other federal facility.
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 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 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.
Why do you need to notify the VA of an emergency?
The primary purpose of notifying VA of a Veteran in need of emergency treatment presenting to a community provider is to ensure proper care coordination. Notifying VA also allows covered Veterans to have their emergent treatment authorized by VA under Title 38 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) §17.4020 (c).
How long does it take to notify the VA of an emergency?
It is, however, important to promptly notify VA within 72 hours of presenting to the emergency room. Veterans, their representatives, and in-network community providers should report instances of a Veteran presenting to a community emergency room to VA within 72 hours of the start of emergent care.
Why is it important to notify VA of out of network providers?
Notifying VA in a timely fashion is important because this: Allows VA to assist the Veteran in coordinating necessary care or transfer, helps ensure that the administrative and clinical requirements for VA to pay for the care are met, and.
What is a medical emergency?
A medical emergency is an injury, illness or symptom so severe that without immediate treatment, an individual believes his or her life or health is in danger. If a Veteran believes his or her life or health is in danger, call 911 or report to the nearest emergency department right away.
Can a VA hospital provide emergent care?
A VA health care facility or other federal facility with the capability to provide the necessary emergency services must not have been feasibly available* to provide the emergent treatment and an attempt to use them beforehand would not be reasonable.
Does the VA pay for emergency medical care?
VA will assist the Veteran and work to resolve any billing issues with the community provider. VA can pay for emergency medical care outside the United States if the emergency is related to a Veteran’s service-connected condition. Contact the Foreign Medical Program for more information.
Do you have to check with the VA before calling for an ambulance?
Veterans do not need to check with VA before calling for an ambulance or going to an emergency department. During a medical emergency, VA encourages all Veterans to seek immediate medical attention without delay. It is, however, important to promptly notify VA within 72 hours of presenting to the emergency room.
What should a veteran do in a medical emergency?
During a medical emergency, Veterans should immediately seek care at the nearest medical facility. A medical emergency is an injury, illness or symptom so severe that without immediate treatment, you believe your life or health is in danger.
What to do if you believe your life is in danger?
If you believe your life or health is in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department (ED) right away. Veterans do not need to check with VA before calling for an ambulance or going to an ED. During a medical emergency, VA encourages all Veterans to seek immediate medical attention without delay.
Can you get denied for VA emergency care?
A claim for emergency care will never be denied based solely on VA not receiving notification prior to seeking care. In general, VA can pay for emergency medical care at a local ER for a Veteran’s service-connected condition, or if the care is related to a Veteran’s service-connected condition. VA can also pay for emergency medical care ...
Can a vet go to a VA facility?
With this in mind, a lot of Vets who think they can, will try to make it to a VA facility even when there are private care facilities closer. Vets shouldn’t have to worry about this. Many will take risks to make it to the VA because they are afraid they will be stuck with a large bill.. even if VA pays some of it.
Do veterans need to check in with VA?
VA now says veterans do not need to check in with VA prior to reporting to non-VA emergency room facilities during an emergency. But the wording in the video is slippery with a lot of hedging language that should lead any veteran to proceed with caution. Some of you may remember last year I exposed a massive scandal through KARE 11 News ...
Service-Connected Emergency Care
- In general, VA can pay for emergency medical care at a local ED for a Veteran’s service-connected condition, or if the care is related to a Veteran’s service-connected condition. Specifically, emergency medical care for a Veteran’s service-connected or related (adjunct) condition(s) is eligible for VA payment as long as the VA wasn’t reasonably available to provide the care. In acc…
Nonservice-Connected Emergency Care
- VA can also pay for emergency medical care at a community ED for a Veteran’s nonservice-connected condition. However, there are several requirements and factors that affect the extent to which VA can cover those services. Specifically, emergency medical care for a Veteran’s nonservice-connected condition(s) is eligible for VA payment when allof the following five eleme…
Emergency Care in Foreign Counties
- VA can pay for emergency medical care outside the United States if the emergency is related to a Veteran’s service-connected condition. Contact the Foreign Medical Program at 1-877-345-8179 or visit our Foreign Medical Program page for more information. Foreign Medical Program After Receiving Care Once a Veteran’s immediate emergency medical care n...
Filing A Claim
- Claims for emergency medical care should be submitted to VA as soon as possible after care has been provided. The deadline for filing a claim depends on whether care was provided for a service-connected condition or a nonservice-connected condition. The charts below describe the requirements, how to file a claim, and payment rates. Requirements for filing an emergency car…
Receiving Payment from VA
- Once a claim for emergency treatment is received by VA, the claim will be administratively reviewed to determine Veteran eligibility. If the Veteran meets the administrative eligibility criteria to receive emergency care in the community, the treatment documentation will then be reviewed by VA clinical staff to determine if the treatment received meets the clinical criteria necessary fo…
Resources
- Fact Sheet: Emergency Medical Care Describes requirements for VA payment of emergency medical care for Veterans.
- Fact Sheet: Emergency Transportation (Ambulance) Describes requirements for VA payment of emergency transportation for Veterans.
- Facility Locator For additional information, please reach out to the nearest VA medical cente…
- Fact Sheet: Emergency Medical Care Describes requirements for VA payment of emergency medical care for Veterans.
- Fact Sheet: Emergency Transportation (Ambulance) Describes requirements for VA payment of emergency transportation for Veterans.
- Facility Locator For additional information, please reach out to the nearest VA medical center responsible for processing the claims.
