Question:  What services are available to women veterans?

Answer:  A full continuum of comprehensive medical services including health promotion and disease prevention, primary care, women’s gender-specific health care e.g., hormone replacement therapy, breast and gynecological care, maternity and limited infertility (excluding In-vitro fertilization), acute medical/surgical, telephone, emergency and substance abuse treatment, mental health, domiciliary, rehabilitation and long term care.  VA researchers at many VA facilities also conduct medical research on women’s health.

Question:  How do I access the system for services?

Answer:  Veterans can apply for VA health care enrollment by completing VA Form 10-10EZ.  The 10-10EZ may be obtained by visiting, calling or writing any VA health care facility or veterans’ benefits office.  You can also call the VA Health Benefits Call Center toll-free at 877-222 VETS (877-222-8387) or access the form on the Internet @  www.va.gov (Click on on-line applications.)

Question:  How and where do I find historical information on women veterans?

Answer:  Contact the Women In Military   Service for America Memorial (WIMSA) located at the gates of Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia at  www.womensmemorial.org.

Question:  How can I get gender specific services, including pap smears, mammography, pre-natal and childcare?

Answer:  Apply for VA health care enrollment by completing VA Form 10-10EZ.  The 10-10EZ may be obtained by visiting, calling or writing any VA health care facility or veterans’ benefits office.  You can also call toll-free 877-222 VETS (877-222-8387) or access the form on the Internet @   www.va.gov/elig.   The provision of health care to non-veteran children is limited to those instances where specific authority is given to VA by law.  Contact your local VA health care facility and ask to speak with the Women Veterans Program Manager (white pages under U.S. Government, Department of Veterans Affairs.

Question:  How do I contact a coordinator for options for women veterans who are homeless with children?

Answer:   Contact the local VA homeless coordinator (or point of contact), Social Work Services department, or Women Veterans Program Manager at your local VAMC.  There are homeless women veteran and homeless women veterans with children pilot programs located at eleven designated VA facilities as well, and the Women Veterans Program Manager can discuss what options are available in your area.  

Question:  Are VA services authorized for women veterans who were involuntarily discharged from the military for pregnancy prior to May 1974?  If not, how does one get this issue addressed?

Answer:  The provision of health care services to veterans is established by certain eligibility criteria and discharge status requirements.  To determine your eligibility for services contact your nearest VA health care facility.

Question:  What is the process of getting quality of care issues addressed?

Answer:  Contact the Women Veterans Program Manager at your local health care facility (white pages under U.S. Government, Department of Veterans Affairs) or the Veteran Health Administration (VHA) Office of Women Veterans Health @ (202) 273-8577 or the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of the Center for Women Veterans @ (202) 273-6193.

Question:  How do I get a clinic appointment when the waiting list is 6 months for an initial appointment?

Answer:  If you experience an urgent or emergent medical condition you can contact your local VA health care facility telephone care program; visit their walk-in (urgent care) clinic or emergency room.  Non-acute problems will be scheduled on a next available appointment basis.

Question:  Where can I get inpatient psychiatric care as a woman veteran?

Answer:  Most VA Medical Centers have inpatient mental health programs.  Contact your VA Primary Care Provider or the local Mental Health Program office for assistance.  If you already have a therapist and need inpatient care, please discuss your concerns with your therapist.  If you have urgent or emergent needs, you can contact your local VA health care facility telephone care program or urgent care clinic.

Question:  How do I get evaluated for nursing home care?

Answer:  If you have never been seen at a VA health care facility, you must first enroll for benefits.  Then you must enroll in a primary care clinic and ask for an evaluation for nursing home care.  The evaluation will be done either by the primary care provider or a geriatrics care team.  

Question:  What happens in the case when a veteran has an obstetrics related emergency prior to enrolling?

Answer: If a women veteran is enrolled and we know she is pregnant, fee-basis care would have been authorized in advance.  In the event of an obstetric emergency, she would go to the hospital and the hospital would be reimbursed for services provided under VA contract .

Eligible veterans are encouraged to enroll for VA health care as soon early as possible in the pregnancy to ensure that any maternity care provided by non-VA providers can be reimbursed.

Question:  Why doesn't the Veteran's Administration deliver babies? 
   
Answer:  DVA has no authority to provide care to the newborn infant.  Local facilities will assist the veteran in accessing community resources.  When the pregnant veteran has a total disability, permanent in nature, resulting from a service-connected disability, and the child is not otherwise eligible for medical care under the Civilian Health and Medical program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), then newborn infant could receive care under Civilian Health and Medial Program of VA (CHAMPVA).