Most of us do not spend much time thinking about emergency hospital stays, long-term care needs, or end-of-life services. Those are often topics we push into the future, assuming there will be plenty of time to address them if the need ever arises.
Unfortunately, life does not always provide advance notice.
One of the most common conversations with Veterans and their families occurs during a crisis. A Veteran experiences a serious illness, requires extended hospitalization, needs in-home care, or suddenly requires placement in a long-term care facility. At that point, the family begins asking what assistance may be available through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The challenge is that some VA health care services are much easier to access when a Veteran is already enrolled and actively receiving care.
Enrollment in VA health care is generally straightforward. In many cases, it involves completing a short application. Your County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) can assist with the application and answer questions about eligibility.
Once enrolled, maintaining an active relationship with VA health care is equally important. For many Veterans, that may be as simple as attending an annual appointment, completing a routine checkup, or maintaining communication with their VA primary care team.
Why does this matter?
Being established in the VA health care system can help when future needs arise. Emergency care coordination, specialty care referrals, home- and community-based services, caregiver support programs, long-term care options, hospice services, and other benefits often work more smoothly when a Veteran already has an established record and care team.
This does not mean every Veteran will need all of these services. In fact, many enrolled Veterans may rarely use VA health care. However, enrollment creates options and can reduce stress for Veterans and their families when unexpected circumstances occur.
Think of it like insurance. You hope you never need it, but you are glad it is already in place when the unexpected happens.
A few minutes spent completing an application today may save days or weeks of frustration later. It can also provide peace of mind knowing that a health care system designed specifically for Veterans is available if and when the need arises.
If you have never enrolled in VA health care, or if you are unsure of your current enrollment status, contact your County Veterans Services office. We can help review eligibility, assist with the application process, and answer questions about the health care benefits you have earned through your military service.
Brad Anderson and Melissa Crandall, Lake County Veterans Service Officers, 218.834.8326 or cvso@co.lake.mn.us
Karen Christianson, Cook County Veterans Service Officer, 218.387.3639, or karen.christianson@co.cook.mn.us
