Transitioning from the Military to VA Health Care
|
|
|
The most common health problems of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom have been musculoskeletal ailments, principally joint and back disorders,and dental problems.
|
|
Transitioning to VA Health Care
It is our duty and privilege to provide veterans with the best available care. VA has set up a special program designed to meet the specific needs of veterans returning from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation New Dawn (OND). Many of our veterans have suffered illness and injury related to the Global War on Terrorism. It is our goal to make sure these veterans receive the highest quality of care in a timely manner. VA Health Care Upstate New York will continue to look at the needs of OEF/OIF/OND veterans and provide services to meet those needs. We encourage you to let us know how we can improve our service to you, the deserving veteran.
Available Health Care Services:
- Outpatient medical/primary care
- Hospital and community living center care
- Dental
- Pharmacy and prescriptions
- Mental health care (counseling, addiction
therapy, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
treatment, etc.)
- Sexual trauma counseling
- Readjustment counseling
- Alcohol and drug dependency treatment
- Prosthetic services
- Specialized health care for women veterans
- Outreach programs for homeless veterans
- Medical evaluation for military service
exposure, including: Gulf War, Agent
Orange, Ionizing Radiation, and certain
other environmental hazards
For additional information about health care
services that are available to you, go to the Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) Web site.
Eligibility
The primary factor in determining basic eligibility
for VA benefits is “veteran status.”
- Active duty in the Armed Forces with a
discharge or release from active service
under conditions other than dishonorable
conditions establishes veteran status
- Reservist or National Guard members can
establish eligibility for VA health care
benefits only if federally activated
- Reservists who are never called to active
duty may qualify for some benefits through
the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA)
- Veterans who served on active duty in
combat support or direct combat operations
during a period of war after the Gulf War, or
against a hostile force during a period of
hostilities after November 11, 1998.
Veterans under this authority may be enrolled
as priority category 6 and are eligible for the
full medical benefits package; as such they are
not subject to co-payments for care potentially
related to their combat service for a period
of 5 years from the date of discharge
from active duty, recorded on the DD214.
Online Enrollment
To receive health care benefits all veterans must
enroll. You may enroll online at www.va.gov.
Click on the “Apply Online,” then go to “Health
Eligibility.” This will bring you to the electronic
application for health care benefits (Form 10-10EZ).
You can also get enrollment information and
assistance at any Veterans Service Center at any
VA Medical Center or clinic.
Homecoming after Deployment
With deployment comes change. Knowing what
to expect and how to deal with changes can make
homecoming more enjoyable and less stressful.
Expectations:
- You may miss the excitement of the deployment
for a while
- Spouses may
have become
more independent
and
learned new
coping skills
- You may not
want to talk about it when others keep asking
- You may wonder if you still fit into the family
Tips:
- Support good things your family has done
- Take time to
listen and
talk with
loved ones
- Be patient
with yourself
and family
members
- Be aware that your family may not be
the same as before; everyone may have
changed
Patient Transition Advocate Program
The transition from Military Service to civilian life can be challenging. VA Health Care Upstate New York has Patient Transition Advocates to support you through this process and serve as your advocate. If you are an Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom or New Dawn veteran and have concerns about eligibility, health care or other benefits, our Patient Transition Advocates are available to assist you.
Patient Transition Advocates:
Name |
Locations Covered |
Number |
Lloyd Collins |
Albany and Syracuse |
(800) 792-4334 ext. 52816 |
Melissa Krul |
Bath, Canandaigua, Western NY and Ft. Drum |
(716) 862-7453 |
For eligibility and enrollment questions:
Name |
Location |
Number |
James Arrington |
Albany |
(518) 626-6721 |
April Reber |
Bath |
(607) 664-4899 |
Deborah James |
Canandaigua |
(585) 393-7347 |
Lisa Price |
Syracuse |
(315) 425-4863 |
Denise Keefe |
Western New York |
(716) 862-7825 |
Lauren Love-Dubeau |
Network |
(315) 425-4426 |
The Veterans Service Contact Center can also be contacted at 1-888-823-9656. |
For clinical issues/questions:
Visit the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation New Dawn (OND) Clinical Program Managers Web site.
|
|