I am going to continue beating the drum. Whether you are still on the fence or are already enrolled in VA health, I want to highlight some of the basic care services provided. Perhaps this will entice a few more to apply for or start using the benefit. Thanks to Marines JL and TC for reading my articles and providing positive feedback about VA health care.
VA may cover preventative care services like health exams (including gender-specific exams), health education (including nutrition education), immunization against infectious diseases (like flu shots), and counseling on genetic diseases (diseases that run in families).
VA may cover inpatient hospital services like surgeries, medical treatments, kidney dialysis, acute care (short-term treatment for a severe illness or injury or after surgery), and specialized care (including organ transplants, intensive care for mental and physical conditions, and care for traumatic injuries).
VA may cover urgent and emergency care services like urgent or emergency care at some VA health facilities. Urgent care for injuries and illnesses that need attention right away, but aren’t life threatening, at urgent care locations that are part of our contracted network. This may include care at a VA-approved: walk-in retail health clinic for minor illnesses (like a sore throat or earache) or urgent care facility for more pressing (but not life-threatening) illnesses or injuries that require treatment (like splinting, casting, or wound care). To use these services, you’ll need to be enrolled in VA health care, and you’ll need to have received care from us within the past 24 months. Be sure to tell the urgent care provider that you’re using the VA urgent care benefit when you arrive. Emergency care in a non-VA hospital, clinic, or other medical setting—only under certain conditions (must notify VA within 72 hours at 844-724-7842).
VA may cover other services and needs like Mental health services to treat certain issues like mental health (posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), military sexual trauma (MST), depression, and substance use problems), assisted living and home health care (depending on your needs and income as well as space in the programs), and learn more about assisted living and home health care, and prescriptions written or approved by a VA doctor.
I used “may” several times which emphasizes the importance of submitting your application and enrolling in VA health. Only you can turn “may” into “will” when it comes to what care and services VA covers. Whether you had a poor VA experience when you returned home from Vietnam or are contemplating retirement, contact your CVSO about enrolling in VA health.
Brad Anderson and Melissa Crandall are the Lake County Veterans Service Officers and can be reached at 218.834.8326 or cvso@co.lake.mn.us
Karen Christianson is the Cook County Veterans Service Officer and can be reached at 218.387.3639, or karen.christianson@co.cook.mn.us
