Category: News

VA Press Release: VA Secretary Announces Intention to Expand Mental Health Care to Former Servicemembers With Other-Than-Honorable Discharges and in Crisis
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 08, 2017

WASHINGTON – Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin while testifying in a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on March 7, 2017, announced his intention to expand provisions for urgent mental health care needs to former servicemembers with other-than-honorable (OTH) administrative discharges. This move marks the first time a VA Secretary has implemented an initiative specifically focused on expanding access to assist former OTH servicemembers who are in mental health distress and may be at risk for suicide or other adverse behaviors.

“The President and I have made it clear that suicide prevention is one or our top priorities,” Shulkin. “We know the rate of death by suicide among Veterans who do not use VA care is increasing at a greater rate than Veterans who use VA care. This is a national emergency that requires bold action. We must and we will do all that we can to help former servicemembers who may be at risk. When we say even one Veteran suicide is one too many, we mean it.”

It is estimated that there are a little more than 500,000 former service members with OTH discharges. As part of the proposal, former OTH servicemembers would be able to seek treatment at a VA emergency department, Vet Center or contact the Veteran Crisis Line.

“Our goal is simple, to save lives,” Shulkin continued. “Veterans who are in crisis should receive help immediately. Far too many Veterans have fallen victim to suicide, roughly 20 every day. Far too many families are left behind asking themselves what more could have been done. The time for action is now.”

Before finalizing the plan in early summer, Shulkin will meet with Congress, Veterans Service Organizations, and Department of Defense officials to determine the best way forward to get these Veterans the care they need.

“I look forward to working with leaders like Congressman Mike Coffman from Colorado, who has been a champion for OTH servicemembers. I am grateful for his commitment to our nations Veterans and for helping me better understand the urgency of getting this right,” added Shulkin.

Veteran in crisis, should call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 (press 1) or texting 838255.

Information about the Crisis Line is available at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net.

VA Tier Medication Copay Changes Take Effect 2/27/17
Department of Veterans Affairs
MEDICATION COPAYMENTS
VA charges a copayment for each 30 day or less supply of medication provided on an outpatient basis for the treatment of a non-service connected condition.

These changes apply to:

Veterans without a service-connected condition, or
Veterans with a disability rated less than 50%
who are receiving outpatient treatment for a non-service connected condition, and
whose annual income exceeds the limit set by law.
Note: Medication copayments do not apply to former Prisoners of War, catastrophically disabled Veterans, or those covered by other exceptions as set by law. Open the attached document to see the breakdown regarding Copayment amounts.

Idaho Women Veterans Day is October 22nd
In conjunction with the 2016 Women Veterans Conference, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter has proclaimed October 22, 2016 to be Idaho Women Veterans Day. The theme for this year’s Idaho Women Veterans Conference is Women Veterans Past and Present Healthy Living, Healing and Informing. The schedule is full of speakers that will cover health, history, personal stories, and information-plus a raffle. For more information and to register to attend the Women Veterans Conference click here.
DOCUMENTS
Idaho Governor’s Proclamation for Idaho Women Veterans Day

VA News Release: VA Schedules 2 Million Appointments Using Veterans Choice Program
Recently the VA authorized its two millionth appointment under the Veterans Choice Program (VCP). While that is a milestone for a less than two year old program, the VA is ultimately asking that Congress authorize the VA to simplify and streamline the care received under the VCP.

Among Secretary Bob McDonald’s five MyVA objectives are improving the Veteran experience, improving the employee experience so the VA can better serve Veterans; and establishing a culture of continuous improvement. In the VA’s view the consolidation of community care programs could greatly benefit not only Veterans, but also VA employees and care providers.

However, this consolidation care plan must be enacted by Congressional legislation. The potential positive impacts has been presented by Deputy Secretary Gibson in November 2015 and Secretary McDonald in January 2016.

The Plan is available online at http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/resources/myva-initiative/.

DOCUMENTS
VA Press Release VCP Reached 2 Million Appointments 07142016

VA Announces Call Center to Help Veterans with Choice Program Billing Issues
Veterans can now work directly with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to resolve debt collection issues resulting from inappropriate or delayed Choice Program billing. In step with MyVA’s efforts to modernize the VA’s customer-focused, veteran-centered services capabilities, a Community Care Call Center has been set up for veterans experiencing adverse credit reporting or debt collection resulting from inappropriately billed Choice Program claims. Veterans experiencing these problems can call (877) 881-7618 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST for assistance. “As a result of the Veterans Choice Program, community providers have seen thousands of veterans. We continue to work to make the program more veteran- friendly,” said Dr. David Shulkin, Under Secretary for Health. “There should be no bureaucratic burden that stands in the way of veterans getting care.”

The new call center will work to resolve instances of improper veteran billing and assist community care medical providers with delayed payments. VA staff are also trained and ready to work with the medical providers to expunge adverse credit reporting on veterans resulting from delayed payments to providers. The VA is urging veterans to continue working with their VA primary care team to obtain necessary health care services regardless of adverse credit reporting or debt collection activity. The VA acknowledges that delayed payments and inappropriately billed claims are unacceptable and have caused stress for veterans and providers alike. The new call center is the first step in addressing these issues. The VA presented The Plan to Consolidate Community Care in October of 2015 that outlines additional solutions to streamline processes and improve timely provider payment.

For more details about the Veterans Choice Program and the VA’s progress, visit: www.va.gov/opa/choiceact. Veterans seeking to use the Veterans Choice Program can call (866) 606-8198 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST to find out more about the program, confirm their eligibility, and schedule an appointment.

Veterans with Incomplete Health Care Applications Receive Additional Year to Enroll
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will extend the healthcare enrollment application period for one year to approximately 545,000 living veterans that have pending incomplete enrollment applications. “Fixing the veterans enrollment system is a top priority for VA. This is an important step forward to regain veterans’ trust and improve access to care as we continue the MyVA transformation,” said VA Deputy Secretary Sloan D. Gibson. “We’ve got a lot of work left to do, but this is a big step in the right direction to restore the data integrity of our enrollment system,” Gibson said.

The National Enrollment Improvement team conducted a detailed analysis of the pending applications in the VA’s enrollment system and identified approximately 545,000 living veterans whose applications were incomplete and in a pending status. The team also validated that approximately 288,000 pending enrollment system records were for deceased veterans. The VA has segregated deceased records from living veteran records and, as part of the Veteran Enrollment Rework Project (VERP), will review each incomplete application to determine if any should have been enrolled in VA health care. The VA is required by law to provide notice to veterans of incomplete applications. The VERP team could not verify whether the VA’s mailing system used to contact veterans about their incomplete applications was able to notify the 545,000 veterans identified above. The VA will contact living veterans to confirm their continued interest in enrolling in VA health care and ask them for the necessary information to complete their application. Veterans will have one year from the notice to provide this information. After a year, the VA will close the record. A veteran may reapply for enrollment at any time.

As veterans choose to enroll, the VA offers an enhancement to their enrollment experience through “Welcome to VA” (W2VA). Veterans enrolled since July 1, 2015, have received a personal introduction to VA health care services, programs, and resources to help them become more familiar with the VA’s services. In addition, the VA sends each new enrollee an introductory letter and personalized handbook in the mail. W2VA enhances communication by reaching out to newly enrolled veterans through personal phone calls upon enrollment, providing assistance with health care inquiries, and assisting with their initial appointment at their preferred VA healthcare facility.

VA Proposes, Takes Action on Leaders at the Veterans Benefits Administration
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced actions against four leaders at the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and close-out of an Administrative Investigation Board (AIB) review of the Denver Hospital Replacement project.

Based on results of investigations, the VA proposed three actions and issued one action. These actions include:

Danny Pummill, Acting Undersecretary for Benefits, received a proposed 15-day suspension. This action is based on his alleged lack of oversight regarding Ms. Rubens’ and Ms. Graves’ actions in connection with their relocations.
Diana Rubens, Director, Philadelphia Regional Office, received a reprimand and a proposed 10% salary reduction. This action is based on her failure to exercise sound judgement by creating the appearance of impropriety in connection with her relocation.
Kimberly Graves, Director, Minneapolis/St. Paul Regional Office, received a reprimand and a proposed 10% salary reduction. This action is based on her failure to exercise sound judgement by creating the appearance of impropriety in connection with her relocation.
Additionally, Beth McCoy, Director, Field Operations, received a reprimand, based on her failure to exercise sound judgment by creating the appearance of impropriety in connection with her involvement in vacating the position to which she was then permanently assigned.
Mr. Pummill’s action, if sustained, is appealable to a third party. Ms. Rubens’ and Ms. Graves’ pay reductions, if sustained, may be reviewed by the VA Secretary but may not be appealed to outside third parties. Reprimands may be grieved administratively but may not be appealed to outside third parties. “When I learned that other evidence was available following the decisions of the Merit Systems Protection Board, I made a commitment to review all of the facts and take any additional accountability actions that I believed to be in the best interest of veterans and taxpayers. That meant looking through an enormous amount of additional evidence,” said Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson. “After my review of that evidence, I believe that, within the scope and intent of the law, additional accountability actions were warranted. We have already reinstated Diana Rubens and Kim Graves to their positions as Regional Office Directors and I have been encouraged by their immediate effort to get back to work. Ultimately, that is what these decisions are about getting back to the work of serving America’s veterans.” The VA also announced that no additional adverse personnel actions will be taken as a result of the Administrative Investigative Board (AIB) review of the Denver Hospital Replacement project. If additional information comes to light when the Office of Inspector General completes its investigation regarding potential wrongdoing on the Denver replacement project, the VA will look to take appropriate action at that time. The AIB determined that responsibility for the decisions that resulted in delays and cost overruns fort the Denver replacement facility rested with executives who had departed from the VA prior to the AIB’s completion. Also prior to the AIB’s completion, the Department made personnel changes in other key positions for the project:

The previous Project Executive was moved to a staff resident engineer position–a reassignment that resulted in a loss of grade and pay. The individual is no longer employed by VA.
The previous Senior Resident Engineer was reassigned to non-supervisory work as a design manager–two new Senior Resident Engineers were hired in October 2014. The individual is also no longer employed by VA.
The previous Senior Contracting Officer for Denver was removed from the project and reassigned to non-supervisory duties.
“We know that errors were made in the construction of the Denver replacement facility,” said Gibson, who has visited the replacement facility site at least 10 times in the past year and a half. “We have owned those challenges and taken action to get the project back on track. We know that earning back the trust of veterans in Colorado and across the nation means constructing a facility they will be proud of and making sure that these errors do not occur again. After reviewing thousands of pages of documentation, I determined that the evidence does not support accountability action against any individual still employed by VA. We have made many changes in the way we design, bid and construct facilities. We have appointed a new Principle Executive Director of the Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction, Mr. Greg Giddens, and we are working more closely with the Army Corps of Engineers than ever before. All of these process and personnel changes have made major reforms to the way we build, lease, and buy space to best serve our veterans and taxpayers.”