Posted on Nov 11, 2021
2021 Veterans Day Q&A with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough
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Over the past few weeks, the VA worked to answer more than 400 questions below on: Inflation, Burn Pits, Mental Health Services, Disability Claims, Medical Marijuana, Caregivers and Survivors, Community Care, Billing, Post-9/11 GI Bill, LGBTQ+, Electronic Healthcare Record, COVID-19, Dental, and Homeless Veterans.
On Veterans Day, Secretary McDonough directly responded to 9 RallyPoint member questions below. These responses are pinned below in green boxes.
On Veterans Day, Secretary McDonough directly responded to 9 RallyPoint member questions below. These responses are pinned below in green boxes.
Veterans Affairs (VA)
Health
Mental Health
Disability
GI Bill
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 404
Why is there such a great disparity in benefits, care, and programs between Gulf War Veterans and Post 9/11 veterans?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
All enrolled Veterans regardless of their period of services are provided a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy.
As a 100% disabled vet I am fortunate to have medical coverage and most meds provided by VA. My wife has medical and prescription coverage under Champ VA. I have a non - Hodgkin’s Lymphoma as a result in service exposure to numerous chemicals years ago. I get a lot of lung infections and am not near a VA facility so I go to a walk in clinic (non VA) and am given a prescription, usually an expensive antibiotic I have to purchase that at a local drugstore. Many times I have submitted for reimbursement for those meds but am NEVER reimbursed while my wife who can go to any medical facility for the same thing has her meds paid for by Champ VA
. What’s wrong here ? She actually has better prescription coverage than I do and her coverage is because of my disability.
Why would my wife’s prescription be covered (less a 25%co pay ) and I have to beg to try to be reimbursed for meds and jump through fifteen hoops in the process —- and still not be reimbursed.
In situations when I’m diagnosed with pretty severe phenomena shouldn’t my non VA prescription be covered?
. What’s wrong here ? She actually has better prescription coverage than I do and her coverage is because of my disability.
Why would my wife’s prescription be covered (less a 25%co pay ) and I have to beg to try to be reimbursed for meds and jump through fifteen hoops in the process —- and still not be reimbursed.
In situations when I’m diagnosed with pretty severe phenomena shouldn’t my non VA prescription be covered?
Why is the Foreign Medical Program so antiquated? Veterans are required to pay first and wait to be reimbursed with no Guarantees. Also, they do not get the same level of coverage from the VA as if they resided in the states or a country that has a VA Clinic! For example a 100% Svc Connected Veteran gets only reimbursed for the elements of svc connection if one of the other locations they get fully services to include dental prescription etc.... Is it time to merge the FMP with TriCare or the whole system under a insurance type card scheme? Look at Australia they get a Gold card
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Per regulations and law the FMP is only authorized to pay for medical care that is for service-connected conditions and conditions held to be associated with and aggravating a service-connected condition. The percentage of disability does not factor in what is and is not covered by the FMP. The FMP does not have any control over foreign medical providers. It is up to the medical provider to directly bill the FMP or not. In order to make payment to the Veteran, the FMP requires the claim include the name and address of the provider, the date(s) of service, the diagnosis (reason seen to establish service-connection), the procedure, billed amount, and proof of payment.
Why can’t someone straighten out the OKC VA hospital. No one answers the phones in clinics. Individuals in specialty clinics are rude in person. Customer service snd director office will not do anything. You can’t even talk to the front office on the phones. The operators are told don’t transfer c as pls to directors suite. This was told by one of the operators. They were told by director they would be fired if they do.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for your feedback. VA has shared these comments with local leaders in the Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System. We would be happy to address specific concerns and work to resolve any additional problems if identifying information could be provided.
Why does the VA provide very sophisticated Hearing aids with no technical training, scheduled follow up, or replacement for 5 years? My new hearing aids can be controlled with a smart phone. The audiology clinic offered to pair my phone; that was it. I'm fine with it and can use the app on my one. Many older Vets can't I won't go 5 years without retesting, but I have to get it in the real world. The VA provides very nice equipment, but poor follow up and rickity repair service.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for sharing your experience, your feedback is important. The single visit described is not the standard of care that VA provides within their Audiology program. Audiology is a direct access clinic in VA, meaning Veterans can call and self-schedule an appointment at any time. Typically, Veterans are seen for a hearing evaluation, a hearing aid fitting, and then for a follow up appointment which is completed either face-to-face or through VA Video Connect during the first 30 days after the hearing aid fitting. Most, if not all, VA Medical Centers have a hearing aid repair clinic which Veterans use multiple times throughout each year for maintenance, additional counseling or assistance, or hearing aid repairs. During hearing aid repair visits a staff member may identify the need for a new hearing exam. Additionally, Veterans are encouraged to self-schedule a hearing exam any time they notice a change in hearing. The lifespan of a hearing aid can vary due to many factors but on average is 3-5 years. Hearing aids are replaced as needed to meet changing communication needs of our Veterans. Policies are in place that entitle Veterans to a spare set of hearing aids. We regret this was your experience and would appreciate additional details regarding where you were seen to ensure this experience is not repeated for another Veteran.
Mr. Secretary, I wonder why ALL Vets are not entitled to free VA Health Care. I think it is unfair that I served my country and have to pay for VA care if I decide to use it.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Some Veterans qualify for free health care based on certain eligibilities. However, current law requires the Secretary of VA to determine annually whether VA has sufficient resources to enroll all Veterans seeking VA health care. In keeping with the law, most Veterans are required to complete a financial assessment at the time they apply for enrollment in VA healthcare to determine whether they are eligible for enrollment and for free health care services. Normally, if the Veteran has an injury or disability caused by military service they are eligible to be treated for that condition by the VA for free. If the disability or injury is severe enough for the VA to rate the Veteran at least 50% disabled for compensation benefits, all the medical care is free from the VA.
Why won't the Houston, Texas VAMC refund me the money it owes for my payments for outside medical care and HISA approved items, totaling $9,058.92?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA would be happy to resolve this issue but requires identifying information.
WHERSE my reimbursment for VEAP contribution held by the VA for 35 years?? And why was my claim for anestiicia denied for open heart surgery 10 years ago?? And when do ya think ya gonna audit GPD
accounts for non-performance by agencies??
accounts for non-performance by agencies??
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
We are unable to answer questions specific to your individual claim in this forum. You are welcome to contact our call center for claim specific assistance at [login to see] . VEAP beenfits are refunded to Veterans if they are not used within 10 years following release from active duty.
VHA has oversight of GPD.
https://www.va.gov/education/other-va-education-benefits/veap/
VHA has oversight of GPD.
https://www.va.gov/education/other-va-education-benefits/veap/
Dear Mr. Secretary,
I recently had a wonderful experience at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson, AZ.
VA social worker, Annis R. Reyes Frias, was outstanding - serving me with compassion, professionalism and competence in providing answers to my important questions. She represents the best in veteran health care. I was able to accomplish an "Advance Directive" with her assistance. Advance Directives empower veterans to prepare for critical health care decisions under calm reflection and not end-of-life crisis management. I suggest the VA emphasize the need for completion of this important document by all veterans. Thank you for your concern, care and dedication to those who served and are serving.
I recently had a wonderful experience at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson, AZ.
VA social worker, Annis R. Reyes Frias, was outstanding - serving me with compassion, professionalism and competence in providing answers to my important questions. She represents the best in veteran health care. I was able to accomplish an "Advance Directive" with her assistance. Advance Directives empower veterans to prepare for critical health care decisions under calm reflection and not end-of-life crisis management. I suggest the VA emphasize the need for completion of this important document by all veterans. Thank you for your concern, care and dedication to those who served and are serving.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Thank you for raising this important topic and for sharing your experience. Advance care planning, including completing an advance directive, is one of the many ways VA empowers Veterans, their families, and caregivers. This topic may be even more important now in the age of COVID, when we all are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill with little warning. VA believes every single Veteran should experience just what you did in Tucson – a meaningful conversation about their wishes for future health care and be able to document their preferences in an advance directive when they are ready. In addition to routine screening and individual conversations that occur across VA medical centers, we are spreading a best practice called Advance Care Planning via Group Visits (ACP-GV). This program engages Veterans, their families and caregivers in advance care planning by facilitating a group discussion that elicits personal experience(s) and encourages participants to identify a 'next step' to take in the process of planning for future health care needs.
Will you be denying hard working veterans access to VA health care based on whether or not they took the unapproved blood clot educing experimental covid19 vaccine which has cause more deaths based on VAERs data than if people would not have the vaccine?
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA does not plan to require that Veterans get vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of receiving health care services from VA.
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