VA expands private care eligibility

[nitpicker]

http://thehill.com/policy/defense/261654-va-expands-private-care-eligibility

VA expands private care eligibility


By Rebecca Kheel - 12/01/15 01:43 PM EST

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Tuesday changes to a program that are expected to make it easier for veterans to seek out private healthcare.
(snip)

Originally, much of the criticism was focused on the criteria that veterans live 40 miles away from a VA center “as the crow flies.” In April, that requirement was changed to 40 miles of driving distance.

Tuesday’s changes further loosened the distance requirement to mean more than 40 miles driving distance from the closest VA medical facility with a full-time primary care physician. VA employees will also be given discretion to decide who is eligible based on whether the veteran faces an “unusual or excessive burden” in getting to the closest VA facility, including geographic challenges, environmental factors or frequency of the care.
(snip)

[beemer27]

1. Good move

This is a step in the right direction. The program should allow ANY Vet who qualifies for VA care to see ANY medical provider. This would not only make it more convenient for Veterans, it would also ease the backlog on the VA, and be a powerful incentive for the VA to provide care that is so good that Vets would prefer them over private medical providers. I have received truly excellent care from the VA, and I have also waited way too long for just mediocre care.

[The River]

2. I Do Prefer to use the VA

My VA hospital is about 65 miles away. The local hospital is only 12 miles away but they
don't have a clue about dealing with Vets. No thanks.
The VA just repaired a cataract Monday and I had a follow up at 8 AM the next morning.
Rather than make me drive to/ from home they booked me into a nice hotel a few blocks from
the hospital. What civilian hospital would do that?