Posted on Oct 26, 2023
How does a 100% disabled veteran get community care dental benefits?
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I have tried to get benefits for dental care and have been shuffled from provider to provider with nothing being done
Posted 7 mo ago
Responses: 8
Community care will (unless grandfathered) generally depend on availability or services at the VA, time/distance you are away from the VA dental clinic, and/or the timeframe for being scheduled for services.
The first step is to have an initial exam by the VA dental clinic*. You can request that you receive future care at a community care provider if you meet one of the eligibility criteria*.
If you meet the eligibility based on travel time, then you should have no problem getting future care from a local provider. Other eligibility may be situational (i.e., "yes" for this treatment/procedure, but we'll have to evaluate for future needs).
One item of note - Community Care providers will have to get pre-authorization for everything. Most will "stack" requests up front (for example, an authorization request for a year's worth of exams, cleanings, etc.), especially if your VA facility's community care office takes a while to seems an approval back.
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* Facility search - https://www.va.gov/find-locations/
* Community Care Eligibility - https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/General_Care.asp.
The first step is to have an initial exam by the VA dental clinic*. You can request that you receive future care at a community care provider if you meet one of the eligibility criteria*.
If you meet the eligibility based on travel time, then you should have no problem getting future care from a local provider. Other eligibility may be situational (i.e., "yes" for this treatment/procedure, but we'll have to evaluate for future needs).
One item of note - Community Care providers will have to get pre-authorization for everything. Most will "stack" requests up front (for example, an authorization request for a year's worth of exams, cleanings, etc.), especially if your VA facility's community care office takes a while to seems an approval back.
---------------------------------
* Facility search - https://www.va.gov/find-locations/
* Community Care Eligibility - https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/programs/veterans/General_Care.asp.
Find VA Locations | Veterans Affairs
Find a VA medical center, clinic, hospital, national cemetery, or VA regional office near you. You can search by city, state, postal code, or service. You'll get wait times and directions.
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COL Randall C.
PFC Kay Armstrong - If you're rated at 100% by the VA, you're absolutely eligible. Is it because there isn't a VA dental clinic near you or did you try to make an appointment and they said they wouldn't take you for some reason?
If the first, use the link below* and put in your address. If the second (you're eligible, but are being refused appointments), then contact the Patient Advocate* at the VA medical center you're assigned to for assistance.
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* Find VA Dental clinic - https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=health&page=1&serviceType=DentalServices
* VA Patient Advocate - https://www.va.gov/health/patientadvocate/
If the first, use the link below* and put in your address. If the second (you're eligible, but are being refused appointments), then contact the Patient Advocate* at the VA medical center you're assigned to for assistance.
--------------------------------------------------------------
* Find VA Dental clinic - https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=health&page=1&serviceType=DentalServices
* VA Patient Advocate - https://www.va.gov/health/patientadvocate/
Find VA Locations | Veterans Affairs
Find a VA medical center, clinic, hospital, national cemetery, or VA regional office near you. You can search by city, state, postal code, or service. You'll get wait times and directions.
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Usually it will require a consult. One from your primary care doc to dental and then one from dental into the community if such resources are present. If not then they will have to send you to the closest VA with dental facilities available.
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PFC Kay Armstrong
I'm 100% VA disabled and age 68. I have NEVER been able to see a Dentist! NEVER!!!
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This is all BS the dental care thur VA is a joke this needs to be looked into it should be "no dental care "
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PFC Kay Armstrong
I agree!!!! I'm 100% VA disabled and now 68 years of age. I have NEVER been able to see a VA Dentist. NEVER!!!
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