20220424-FAMILYCAREGIVER-T-0 - Flipbook - Page 32
VETERANS HEALTH CARE
UNDERSTANDING VA HEALTH CARE
The Veterans Administration (VA) Health Care
system can be a Veteran’s primary source of Health
Care or supplement a Veteran’s private health care
providers. The situation may change over time as
a Veteran’s fixed income and supplemental health
insurance price dictates. It is best to apply for VA
Health Care before the need for services becomes
urgent and to maintain connection with the VA by
visiting with the VA primary care doctor at least
every 24 months.
Any Veteran who served in the active military, naval
or air service and didn’t receive a dishonorable
discharge may be eligible. If you enlisted after
September 7, 1980 or entered active duty after
October 16,1981 you must have served 24
continuous months or the full period for which you
were called to active duty. Prior to those dates you
must have served at least 90 days. In addition, there
is an annual gross income ceiling of $60,455.00 for
a one-person household and $69,080.00 for two
people. The income threshold is revised each year.
The following can be used to offset the income:
non-reimbursed medical, funeral and educational
expenses. There is no asset limit for this benefit.
Certain categories of Veterans are eligible regardless
of income such as, Veterans who served in Vietnam,
Veterans with a service-connected rating and
Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune during water
contamination. Finally, the co-pay amount that a
Veteran pays for services is determined by the VA
based on a combination of factors: income, era of
service, combat service and any service-connected
rating.
In our experience as Veteran Service Officers (VSO),
VA Health Care benefits such as in-home care,
hearing aids and cheaper prescriptions are very
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helpful in managing costs. It is much better to have
the benefits in place before an emergency arises
because it takes time to complete an application,
have an initial meeting with the VA primary care
doctor and any follow-ups needed with specialists.
If the Veteran is in poor health and cannot go to a
VA healthcare center, it may take longer for the VA
to accommodate his or her needs for a home visit or
telehealth appointment.
There are a couple of VA Health Care benefits that
are less well known or understood. In-home health
aids are available for up to 10-14 hours per week
if the VA primary care doctor finds it medically
necessary. The referral must come from the VA
primary care doctor. In addition, the VeteranDirected Care Program (Vet-directed) gives Veterans
who need assistance with bathing, getting dressed,
etc. a monthly stipend to pay for services that can
be managed by the Veteran or family caregiver to
help the Veteran live at home. Again, the VA primary
care doctor refers when it is determined a Veteran
is medically eligible and the VA social work team
determines final eligibility. The VSOs at the Carroll
County Bureau of Aging & Disabilities receive the
referrals from the VA and are the local contacts, or
support planners, for the Vet-Directed program.
Also, the VA offers blind and low vision rehabilitation
services even if the Veteran did not suffer an eye
injury in service. These are just a few of the many
services provided by the VA Health Care system.
To learn more visit www.va.gov/health-care/. For
assistance with enrolling in VA Health Care, please
contact the Veteran Services Program of Carroll
County at 410-386-3800.
Francine Hahn, Carroll County Veteran Services Program
2022 – 2023 Carroll County Bureau of Aging & Disabilities Resource Guide