Military Veterans Travel Guide to VA Services Locations In All 50 States

Copyright 2011 Post Publishing Group

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This publication is licensed for your personal use only. This material may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this publication with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this material and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please return to www.smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the work, intellectual property and legal rights of this author.

Dedication: This book is dedicated to the memory of the thousands of U.S. Military Veterans who have sacrificed so much in order that our nation remains free and strong. Without all of you, our freedoms would not exist. Thanks from the bottom of our hearts.

Military Veterans Travel Guide to VA Services Locations in All 50 States

Traveling can often be difficult enough even for those in perfect health. Compound those difficulties by traveling with a disability or health issue and travel is oftentimes daunting at best and overwhelming at its worst.

This guide has been prepared with the U.S. Military Veteran traveler in mind. As a disabled veteran myself, I have often found it necessary to perform time-consuming online searches prior to travelling to ensure I have the correct contact information I need should I require emergency medical treatment or other VA services while on the road.

With more and more Americans opting to vacation and travel stateside instead of overseas and the growing Boomer-Veteran population within the full-time or extended-stay RVers ranks, I felt the time had come for a comprehensive guide that could be accessed without needing to be connected to the Internet or within WI-FI range.

After all, Internet access and WI-FI are still not available everywhere one may wish to travel and sketchy service or other technical malfunctions may prevent access right when you need it most.

By having this searchable guide already downloaded and available for use on your iPad, Kindle, Nook or Sony e-reader, smart phone, tablet or laptop you will be able to locate the information you need in under a minute - WITHOUT requiring an Internet connection.

The keyword search capabilities included with this reference guide in addition to the hyperlinked Table of Contents allows for rapid searching and location of the necessary information.

The included hyper-links make this guide even MORE valuable, however, so editions for Kindle, Nook, Apple iStore, Sony e-Reader, Smashwords, Diesel, and other electronic reading devices will be published simultaneously with the PDF version to accommodate users of those technologies, as well.

This guide will detail contact information and locations for Veterans Services in all 50 states including addresses, phone numbers and web addresses. This information is current as of the publication date listed.

Please be advised, however, that service centers relocate, are opened and closed due to funding issues and population shifts, are political pawns, etc. so this information changes constantly and neither the author nor publisher can guarantee the information to be accurate at all times. For your own benefit, please call first prior to travelling to any of the service center addresses listed to make sure the address information is still current.

How does one enroll in the VA Medical System? Simple! Just visit any VA health care facility. Before you go to the facility, though, ensure you have and bring with you your DD-214 (Military Discharge) showing the character of your discharge. If you don’t have your DD 214, go immediately to the Military Personnel Records Center link in the Table of Contents below and initiate your request for a verified copy from the records center. You will NOT be able to obtain any VA services until you present your DD 214 and are issued a VA identification card.

The following linked Table of Contents is included for your convenience to provide you with an easier method of viewing and searching the contents of this publication. You can search each state you need information on by simply clicking on the state name in the Table of Contents below. A link to return you to this Table of Contents is located at the end of each section.

Primary Source for VA information contained in this document: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - 810 Vermont Avenue, NW - Washington, DC 20420

Table of Contents

VA Health Care Eligibility & Enrollment

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Military Personnel Records Center (DD 214 Requests)

Online Prescription Refills

My HealtheVet

Military Funeral Honors

Federal Benefits Book for Veterans (PDF)

Veterans Crisis Line

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Individual State’s Department of Veterans Affairs

Red Cross National Headquarters

VA Claims Information

VA Health Care Eligibility & Enrollment

Copays and Charges

There is no monthly premium required to use VA care. You may, however, have to agree to pay copays. If you have insurance, it may cover the cost of copays. Click here for current information on determining copay requirements for certain veterans: http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/pubs/CopayGlance/CopayGlance.pdf

Financial Assessment (Means Test)

While many veterans qualify for cost-free health care services based on a compensable service-connected condition or other qualifying factor, most veterans are required to complete an annual financial assessment or Means test to determine if they qualify for cost-free services. Veterans whose gross household income and net worth exceed the established thresholds as well as those who choose not to complete the financial assessment must agree to pay the required copays to become eligible for VA health care services. Along with their enrollment confirmation and Priority Group assignment, enrollees will receive information regarding their copay requirements, if applicable.

Who is subject to provide a financial assessment (Means Test)?

Certain nonservice-connected veterans and 0% noncompensable service-connected veterans are asked to report gross household income and net worth from the previous calendar year.

In determining your VA Health Care benefit it is generally to your advantage to provide your income information if your gross household income (less allowable deductions) is equal to or less than the amount listed in the VA National Income Thresholds. From the amounts you report on the Financial Worksheet VA will calculate and inform you of your income-based benefits.

Current year income and net worth can be considered when there is a hardship.

NOTE: If you decline to give your financial information, VA will -

• Place you in Priority Group 8 AND

• Require you to agree to pay the copay fees for Group 8 before treatment can be provided

The financial information VA gathers from your Financial Assessment (means test) will determine -

•Your Enrollment Priority Group assignment and

•If you will or will not be required to pay copays

VA determines your priority group and copay requirements based on set income and net worth limits. These limits are referred to as the VA National Income Thresholds for VA Health Care Benefits: http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/pubs/VAIncomeThresholds/

The illustration below covers the Income Thresholds for the year 2011. Please use the link above for current Income Thresholds.

* Enrollment Restriction:

In order to ensure the availability of quality and timely health care to veterans with service connected conditions, special authority based on military service, low income, and those with special health care needs, in January 2003 VA made the difficult decision to stop enrolling new Priority Group 8 (high income) veterans whose income exceeded VA Income Thresholds.

The new regulations went into effect on June 15, 2009 and enable the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to relax income restrictions on enrollment for health benefits. While this new provision does not remove consideration of income, it does increase income thresholds. You may be eligible for enrollment under this new provision.

Will I be charged copays?

Many veterans qualify for cost-free health care and/or medications based on

• Receiving a Purple Heart Medal, or

•Former Prisoner of War Status, or

•Compensable service-connected disabilities, or

• Low income, or

•Other qualifying factors including treatment related to their military service experience.

Reduce or Eliminate VA Medical Care Copays

If you are now receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability or VA pension benefits, your VA medical care and/or prescription copays may be reduced or eliminated. You may also be eligible for a refund of copay charges you have previously paid based on this decision. For further information, please call VA at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or contact the Enrollment Coordinator at your local VA medical center.

If I have private health insurance, will VA bill my insurance company?

VA is required to bill private health insurance providers for medical care, supplies and prescriptions provided for care veterans receive for their non-service connected conditions. Generally, VA cannot bill Medicare, but can bill Medicare supplemental health insurance for covered services.

All veterans applying for VA medical care are required to provide information on their health insurance coverage, including coverage provided under policies of their spouses. Veterans are not responsible for paying any remaining balance of VA’s insurance claim not paid or covered by their health insurance, and any payment received by VA may be used to offset dollar for dollar a veteran’s VA copay responsibility.

Some of the Services Exempt from Inpatient and Outpatient Copays

•Special registry examinations offered by VA to evaluate possible health risks associated with military service

• Counseling and care for military sexual trauma

• Compensation and pension examination requested by VBA

• Care that is part of a VA approved research project

• Care related to a VA-rated service connected disability

• Readjustment counseling and related mental health services for PTSD

• Emergency Treatment at other than VA facilities

• Care for cancer of head or neck caused from nose or throat radium treatments given while in the military

• Publicly announced VA public health initiatives (i.e., health fairs)

•Care related to service for veterans who served in combat or against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after November 11, 1998

•Laboratory services such as flat film radiology services and electrocardiograms

•Preventive screenings (hypertension, hepatitis C, tobacco, alcohol, colorectal cancer, etc.)

•Immunizations (such as influenza and pneumococcal)

•Hospice care provided in any setting

What should I do if I can’t afford to pay copays?

There are three options if a veteran is unable to pay the assessed copay charges:

1. Request a Waiver of Debt for past debts you owe. A Waiver of Debt can be granted when there has been a significant change in income and the veteran has experienced significant expenses for medical care for the veteran or other family members, funeral arrangements or veteran educational expenses. A Waiver of Debt excuses all existing bills, but does not prevent future charges.

A waiver must be requested in writing and by completing VA Form 5655, Financial Status Report. The request must specify each copay for which a waiver is being requested. There is no limit on the amount that the veteran can request to be waived. The veteran must request a waiver in writing within 180 days from the date on the bill. To request a waiver, and for more information, contact the Revenue Coordinator at the VA health care facility where the veteran receives care.

2. Request a Hardship Determination to prevent future billing. A Hardship Determination is an exemption from copay for a determined period of time. If a veteran’s current year income is substantially reduced from the prior year, a veteran may request a Hardship Determination.

Hardship Determination must be requested in writing. To request a Hardship Determination, contact the Enrollment Coordinator at the VA Medical Center where the veteran receives care.

3. Request an Offer in Compromise. An Offer in Compromise is an offer for past debts only and acceptance of a partial payment in settlement and full satisfaction of the debt at the time the offer is made. VA will consider both the current and anticipated future income in making these determinations. Most Offers in Compromise that are accepted must be for a lump sum payment payable in full 30 days from the date of acceptance of the offer.

Offers in Compromise must be requested in writing and by completing VA Form 5655, Financial Status Report. There is no limit on the amount that the veteran can request for the Offer in Compromise. To request an Offer in Compromise, contact the Revenue Office at the VA Medical Center where the veteran receives their care.

Income Verification