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National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report: Chartbook on Healthcare for Veterans [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2020 Nov.
National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report: Chartbook on Healthcare for Veterans [Internet].
Show details- VHA is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States.
- VHA is organized into 18 geographically based Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs).
Map of VISNs
Note: The map is available at https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/map.asp. VISNs are numbered 1, 2, 4–10, 12, 15–17, and 19–23.
Source: Department of Veterans Affairs, 2020.
VHA Medical Centers and Clinics
- The VHA healthcare system is composed of:
- 170 VA Medical Centers (VAMCs).
- 1,074 community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs).
Map of VAMCs
Note: The map is available at https://www.aei.org/multimedia/va-mission-act-access-map/. VAMCs are larger facilities that provide a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services. VAMCs range in size from no staffed beds to nearly 1,000 staffed beds. CBOCs are smaller and typically focused on primary care and may provide limited specialty care services.
Source: American Enterprise Institute, VA Mission Act Access Map, 2019.
VHA Eligibility and Benefits
- Veterans are assigned to priority group 1 through 8 based on:
- Service history and military discharge status.
- Service-connected disability rating and diagnoses.
- Income level.
- Medicaid eligibility.
- Other benefits received.
- Benefits and copayments are based on priority.
- Not all Veterans are eligible for VHA benefits.
- VHA serves roughly half of the U.S. Veteran population.
VHA Benefits
- VHA provides:
- Inpatient, outpatient, and specialty care.
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications.
- Durable medical equipment.
- Long-term care.
- Home-based care.
- Telehealth.
- Benefits include:
- No copayments for treatment related to a service-connected disability.
- Low copayments for other healthcare.
- Transportation reimbursement.
VHA-Funded Community Care
- VHA also funds healthcare from non-VHA providers in the community when VHA cannot provide the care needed.
- Healthcare provided through community providers must be preauthorized and funds are based on eligibility requirements and Veterans’ needs.
- Care includes:
- Inpatient and outpatient care.
- Emergency and urgent care.
- Home-health and hospice care.
- Vaccinations.
Community Care - MISSION Act
- The Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act was passed in 2018 and establishes the Veterans Community Care Program.
- Some Veterans are eligible for care in the community:
- If a service is not available at any VA medical facility.
- If a Veteran lives in a U.S. state or territory without a full-service VA medical facility.
- If a Veteran qualifies under the “grandfather” provision related to distance eligibility under the Veterans Choice Program.
- If VA cannot furnish care within certain drive time or appointment wait time access standards.
- If it is in the best medical interest of the Veteran to receive community care based on defined factors.
- If a VA medical service line is not providing care in a manner that complies with VA’s standards for quality based on specific conditions.
Veterans Served by VHA
- Statistics for fiscal year 2017 include the following:
- Half of the Veterans in the United States were enrolled in VHA (9 million of about 18 million Veterans).
- Six million Veterans received VHA services.
- The VHA budget was $68 billion.
- VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION - National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Rep...VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION - National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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