As the one-year anniversary of President Trump’s signing of the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act of 2018 approaches on June 6, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is making significant strides in implementing major improvements to community care for Veterans.
“The Veteran is at the center of everything we do,” VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said. “Through the MISSION Act, Veterans will have more choices than ever in getting timely, high-quality care. Most important, Veterans will be able to decide what is important and best for them.”
The MISSION Act will strengthen VA’s health care system by improving both aspects of care delivery and empowering Veterans to find the balance in the system that is right for them,
A key aspect of the MISSION Act is the consolidation of VA’s community care programs, which will make community care work better for Veterans and their families, providers and VA employees. When this transition is complete, the following will occur:
- Veterans will have more options for community care.
- Eligibility criteria for community care will be expanded, including new access standards.
- Scheduling appointments will be easier, and care coordination between VA and community providers will be better.
- Eligible Veterans will have access to a network of walk-in and urgent care facilities for minor injuries and illnesses.
“Transitioning to the new eligibility criteria for community care should be seamless for Veterans,” Wilkie said. “Veterans will continue to talk to their care team or scheduler as they have been doing to get the care they need.”
VA also has been working closely with community providers to ensure Veterans have a positive experience when receiving community care. For example, VA has developed education and training materials to help community providers understand some of the unique challenges Veterans can face.
Going forward, community care will be easier to use, and Veterans will remain at the center of their VA health care decisions.
In addition to information VA has made available digitally, Veterans enrolled in VA health care can expect to receive a letter in the mail providing details on where to go for more information.
For more information about community care under the MISSION Act, visit https://vaww.blogstest.va.gov/VAntage/58621/new-eligibility-criteria-a-major-improvement-over-existing-rules/.
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How would one find out which Medical facilities belong to the VA mission act in my area ? I live in Vacaville Ca and there are VA Hospitals in San Francisco and Sacramento Ca which are about an hour drive. I would also like to know if there are any walk in or urgent care facilities in my area.
Hope someone can point me in the right direction to find out these answers.
I attempted to get an appointment with a Dermatologist for severe skin problems for almost 3 yrs, I have been enrolled in the VA Health care for 9 yrs, and when my problem got worse over the years, and literally begging for care, I finally got to get to a community Dermatologist and after a biopsy, I learned I had cancer that is not curable now. I’m somewhat angry and really not surprised. What the current President is attempting to do with the VA Health System seems to be in vain. I would bet he doesn’t know that much of the problems still exist and many of the workers at the VA seem to be defiant that they have been ordered to change their rude ways. I have noticed that many have changed or it’s a new employee that hasn’t got in the groove yet and continue the old ways. I could write much more that is negative, and with that being said, and years of using the VA System, it’s all many of us can afford, the co-pays are fair for the most, but knowing that the care is well below what anyone would expect when it comes to diagnoses of serious medical conditions. BTW, just look up the salaries of the Specialists and care givers, you should be amazed, and with that they have little overhead like Civilian Care Givers. Much improvement is needed, and I don’t believe it will get there in my lifetime.
Veteran Disability Contracts are supposed to be followed. The Contract requires adherence to all details in it per Auer v Robbins (1997, Unanimous Decision US Supreme Court Justice Scalia writing opinion) A fight you fought hard to win. You have required forms to fill out if a person disagrees with details that per Auer a disgruntled person must fill out to argue “any” detail of said Contract yet you refuse to send cease/desist letters when suit against details of the contract go to State Courts against the Caregiver for details in The a Contract Why have the Contract? either you have control or you don’t. If you don’t want to send a cease/desist then inform Caregivers they can’t afford to care for Veterans due to lawsuits that demand funds from pensions go to State Judges Lawyers & State Courts with interest penalties & fees verses Veteran & Veterans Care. I wish you had provided the Shower Aid (helper) as requested verses the small amount that paid them or offered showers at VA a few times a week (like a car wash) NO ONE CAN AFFORD TO CARE FOR VETERANS WITH CURRENT COURT ATTITUDES & Attorneys that are paid to chase VA Designated Caregivers.
The Mission Act it is already a headache for me, so far I like the old VA Choice Program for community care outside the VA.
I called VA for an approval to see my community care doctor and it has been over 2 weeks and still no authorization approval.
When I used the old VA Choice program, within the same week I’ve called my authorization approval letter is in my mailbox.
But, will see how this Mission Act develops the full operations suppose to start on 6 June 2019.
I just hope the VA process and approves authorization to get community care asap.
Aloha and Mahalo
808 STATE
When I decided to retire, my husband being on my insurance and never took anything from VA. He signed up for Va benefits, just for preciptions and visting the dr. and he was turned down, said we made to much money. That Former President Bush passed the income guildline in 2003. Now I am 66 years old and still can’t retire, because unfortuntaley my husband is going through cancer and can’t get a darn thing from VA. We are still proud of our veterans and support each and everyone of them as well as being active in American Legion and 40 & 8.Just not happy with politicians that mess with the veterans.
In my state Louisiana. My VA manipulates the Choice Act to deny rural veterans care in the community via Choice and Patient Cenetered community care PC3. They code certain veterans who live over the 40 mile radius as only on the 30- day wait list. Through this manipulative act the veteran cannot get community care and must drive excessive distance to the VA for specialty care. The VA will sometimes refer the veteran to the community care providers then will not pay the bill. They tell the providers that the veteran self referred and that the care is offered in the VA. With my medical background I have done exhaustive research on this but my Congress people don’t seem to care. I am now on dialysis at the hands of the VA. The retaliated against me by Delaying and denied my surgery as I continued to research these actions by the VA.
it should be run like medicare and stop the call before before service approval…robert johnson
I am sorry about your husbands condition but I personally don’t think just because he serviced a few years in the military he should be entitled to VA benefits.
This is the problem with government, they keep expanding expanding benefits…when does it stop?
So does community care mean “outside referrals”? What services will community care provide us? Will it also include general check ups and pharmacy services? Will there be a co-pay of any sort? It this June implementation date for all VA’s?
This will be a blessing. I live 75 miles from the nearest VA hospital and being able to have medical service closer to my home is wonderful. Thank you for supporting disabled veterans!
You are abusive to VA Caregivers.
Veteran Disability Contracts are supposed to be followed. The Contract requires adherence to all details in it per Auer v Robbins (1997, Unanimous Decision US Supreme Court Justice Scalia writing opinion) A fight you fought hard to win. You have required forms to fill out if a person disagrees with details that per Auer a disgruntled person must fill out to argue “any” detail of said Contract yet you refuse to send cease/desist letters when suit against details of the contract go to State Courts against the Caregiver for details in The a Contract Why have the Contract? either you have control or you don’t. If you don’t want to send a cease/desist then inform Caregivers they can’t afford to care for Veterans due to lawsuits that demand funds from pensions go to State Judges Lawyers & State Courts with interest penalties & fees verses Veteran & Veterans Care. I wish you had provided the Shower Aid (helper) as requested verses the small amount that paid them or offered showers at VA a few times a week (like a car wash) NO ONE CAN AFFORD TO CARE FOR VETERANS WITH CURRENT COURT ATTITUDES & Attorneys that are paid to chase VA Designated Caregivers.
This is going to be soooo bad for the veterans and dependents.
You’re all going to regret voting for tRump.
as a veteran I can’t wait for better community involvement.
What is wrong with going to a private care person anyway? As a veteran I have a heart issue and going to a VA doctor or a private doctor will do the same thing.
Why is it all about trump anyway? This is a great move…which probably won’t work but the idea is solid.