Tag Archives: Gulf War Claims Help

Arizona Veteran receiving non-VA emergency care screwed by private hospital and the VA

When a veteran is enrolled in VA, and Medicare (original or Medicare Advantage), and then is rushed to a non-VA hospital in an emergency (as advised by the VA), what is supposed to happen? Is he responsible for the portion … Continue reading

Posted in Guest authors, Medical News, Medicare for VETS, VA Health Care, VA Medical Mysteries Explained, vA news, VA+ Social Security | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Poor VHA business practices hurt all veterans

In 2012, OIG determined that the VHA had mismanaged its Medical Care Collections Fund (MCCF) program.  They write:  VHA is authorized to bill third-party health insurance for covered health care provided to veterans at VA and non-VA medical facilities. The MCCF program … Continue reading

Posted in Guest authors, VA Health Care, VA Medical Mysteries Explained, vA news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

PRESUMPTION JUNCTION, WHAT’S YOUR FUNCTION?

Shades of Sesame Street. Now you’re going to have that antique ditty running through your brain for a week. Presumptions. This seems to be the new lightning rod of Veterans Law. VA has always held a royal flush in this game … Continue reading

Posted in Presumption of Regularity | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Another strategy for getting veteran-related questions answered clearly

I’ve often been impressed with the clarity of reports written by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) at the Library of Congress (LOC).  I had a few questions about Health Care for Veterans: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions  (2/24/14) and sent an … Continue reading

Posted in Guest authors, VA Health Care, VA Medical Mysteries Explained | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

MARINES 5-BAD GUYS 0

I love these stories. Either the same crooks came back to get all the goodies they spotted the first time (greed) or they had the ungodly bad luck to pick the same house that had recently been burglarized. Either way, … Continue reading

Posted in All about Veterans | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES NEW DATE FOR VETERANS DAY

In a bold move certain to upset the major Veterans Service Organizations across the fruited plain, President Obama today asserted his authority under his Executive prerogative to change the immutable date of Veterans Day. Numerous United States Postal Service workers, which encompasses … Continue reading

Posted in Humor, Veterans Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

BVA DECISIONS ARE OUT (AGAIN)

The latest batch of BVA HCV decisions, and, by extension, all decisions this year, was released late Friday night. I’ll peruse them to see what the  latest jetgun synopsae are. Seems the BVA and the Court of Appeals has finally … Continue reading

Posted in BvA Decisions, BvA HCV decisions, HCV Health, HCV Risks (documented) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Focused VA dental care for Class III and Class VI veterans

This post is a follow-up to July post, HCV infection and veterans’ oral health.  Can we decipher this VA-speak together? The Fact Sheet, Dental Benefits for Veterans (IB 10-442, February 2014) lists the eligibility for different veterans by class.  These classes are described in VHA … Continue reading

Posted in Guest authors, HCV Risks (documented), Medical News, VA Health Care, VA Medical Mysteries Explained | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Mileage exception for “geographically challenged” veterans in NH, Alaska & Hawaii

When I first read about the 40-mile distance from place of residence as the standard for the Veterans Choice Act, I assumed, as did many, that meant 40-miles from a VA hospital.  Wrong! …Veterans may qualify based on their place … Continue reading

Posted in Guest authors, Medical News, VA Health Care, VA Medical Mysteries Explained | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Veterans’ Choice Card program’s new contractors

Finding official information about the implementation of the Veterans’ Choice Cards and call centers has been frustrating but I can now report that Tri-West and Health Net have been hired to administer the program.  Health Net’s press release, Tri-West’s press release, … Continue reading

Posted in Guest authors, Medical News, VA Health Care, VA Medical Mysteries Explained, vA news | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments