How long can the VA make you wait for an appointment?
How long can the VA make you wait for an appointment?
Under the MISSION Act, which Congress passed into law back in 2018, veterans can see a community provider if they’ve been waiting for more than 20 days for primary and mental health care and 28 days for specialty care, or if they face a 30-minute drive to the nearest VA facility.
Why does it take so long to get an appointment with the VA?
COVID-19 sent shock waves through the VA system, and now veterans aren’t getting the appointments they need. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the cancellation, delay or rescheduling of almost 20 million medical appointments for veterans.
How long does it take to be seen at the VA?
According to the JAMA study, average wait time in 2014 for a VA appointment in one of these specialties was 22.5 days, compared with 18.7 days for private-sector physicians. In 2017, the average VA wait time was 17.7 days, while the private-sector average was 29.8 days.
What are the consequences of waiting for health care in the veteran population?
Longer VA wait times lead to small, yet statistically significant decreases in utilization and are related to poorer health in elderly and vulnerable veteran populations.
What is a VA appointment?
The VA Appointments feature lets you check your VA and community care appointment date, time and type (telephone, video, in-person). Community care appointments are set up for you by the VA. You can also add non-VA appointments to the Health Calendar. Find out if you are eligible for VA health care benefits.
What is a VA 8?
Priority Group 8: Veterans with income and/or net worth above the VA national income threshold and the geographic income threshold who agree to pay co-pays. Sub-priority a: Non-compensable 0% service-connected veterans enrolled as of January 16, 2003, and who have remained enrolled since that date.
How do I get VA disability?
You can apply online for veterans disability benefits using the Veterans On-Line Application (VONAPP). To apply by mail, complete Application for Veterans Compensation and/or Pension, which can be found at the VA Forms Website, and send it to your local VA office. You can apply by phone by calling 800-827-1000.