MISSION Act Strengthens VA Care
The MISSION Act gives Veterans greater access to health care in VA facilities and the community, expands benefits for caregivers, and improves VA’s ability to recruit and retain the best medical providers.
The MISSION Act gives Veterans greater access to health care in VA facilities and the community, expands benefits for caregivers, and improves VA’s ability to recruit and retain the best medical providers.
As part of the VA MISSION Act, we’re giving more family caregivers access to the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers so we can support them as they care for Veterans of all eras.
VA began accepting applications October 1, 2020, in 2 phases:
Currently, caregivers of Veterans from all eras may be eligible for training, education, respite care services, the Caregiver Support Line, self-care courses, and other services. We provide general support for caregivers of any enrolled Veteran, regardless of how or when they were injured.
In addition to general support, caregivers in our Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers may receive a monthly stipend, beneficiary travel, mental health counseling, enhanced respite services, and other benefits.
Eligible Veterans can use VA health care services nationwide, including through mobile health clinics that serve rural areas and via telehealth (care through a phone or computer). Note: You need to be enrolled in VA health care to use community care benefits. For general MISSION Act health care inquiries, contact VA311 (1-844-698-2311).
To receive care from VA or a community provider, you must be enrolled in VA health care. Apply online, by mail, or in person.
Find a VA medical center or approved non-VA medical (called “community care”) providers near you. Get wait times, addresses, and more.
It depends on the situation. Learn about the eligibility criteria for expanded community care, under the MISSION Act
Under the MISSION Act, you’ll have more ways to access health care. This includes within VA’s network and through approved non-VA medical providers in your community, called “community care providers. Depending on your situation—for example, if a certain type of health service isn’t provided by VA—you may be able to go to a non-VA provider, using your VA coverage.
To obtain community care, you must receive prior approval from VA.
Your VA health care includes new urgent care access through a network of walk-in retail health clinics and urgent care facilities.
The MISSION Act improves information sharing with community providers.
Beginning in April 2020, Veterans will no longer be required to provide signed, written authorization for VA to release electronic health information to community providers for the purposes of receiving medical treatment. VA only shares Veteran health information with a specific community provider when a Veteran is seeking medical care from that provider.
You can use VA health care benefits along with your Indian Health Service or Tribal Health plans. To learn more, contact your nearest VA medical center or visit Indian Health Service and Tribal Health Program (IHS/THP).
The following documents relate to changes implemented as a result of the MISSION Act.
This rule establishes a pilot program to provide funding for the
medical education of eligible veterans who are enrolled in
covered medical schools.
Effective Date: December 13, 2019
Learn More : Veterans Healing Veterans | Federal Register
For general MISSION Act health care inquiries, contact 1-844-698-2311
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