Emergency Medical Care Options for Veterans Expanded
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has expanded veterans’ access to emergency care via a nationwide tele-emergency care (tele-EC) service. This initiative, announced in a late September VA press release, helps qualifying veterans enrolled in VA health care remotely connect with emergency care providers through VA Health Connect or the VA Health Chat app.
The VA press release states, “Veterans can access this service from anywhere in the country at any time, ensuring they have immediate support during emergencies.”
This is an important service for veterans residing in rural areas who find it harder to access VA medical facilities and those facing mobility or transportation challenges.
The tele-EC service provides:
- Immediate access to emergency care providers: Veterans can receive medical advice and assistance during emergencies.
- Reduced need for travel: Eliminates the need for some veterans to travel long distances for emergency care.
- Increased convenience and accessibility: This program allows qualifying veterans to receive care from the comfort of their homes or any location with internet access.
Since its initial implementation, the tele-EC service has successfully assisted over 61,000 callers, resolving nearly 60% of cases remotely. The VA has committed to expanding virtual care options for veterans, and the nationwide launch of tele-EC is a major step towards that goal.
This initiative is part of broader efforts to modernize VA healthcare delivery and improve access to care for veterans nationwide. The VA aims to “meet Veterans where they are and provide the best possible care,” as emphasized in their press release.
Read next: Veteran and Military Retiree Benefits Guide
How Tele-EC Works
According to VA.gov, Tele-emergency care is a part of VA Health Connect, “a phone service that Veterans can call nationwide. Veterans who contact VA Health Connect will speak to a clinical triage nurse, who will connect them to tele-emergency care when clinically appropriate.”
Tele-EC providers “evaluate the Veteran over the phone or on video and recommend treatment or follow-up, including if in-person care is needed. In life-threatening emergencies, the clinical triage nurse will call 911 and stay on the line until help arrives.”
As the VA official site reminds us, anyone experiencing a life-threatening emergency should immediately contact 911. Do not seek support via tele-EC for a life-threatening situation. 911 is the best resource in those circumstances.
Accessing VA Emergency Care
Veterans who need emergency services can access care through multiple channels:
- For life-threatening emergencies: Call 911 immediately.
- For urgent medical concerns, connect with VA providers 24/7 through VA Health Connect: This service allows veterans to speak with emergency care providers remotely and receive immediate medical advice.
- Utilize the VA Health Chat app: This app provides another avenue for veterans to connect with VA healthcare professionals for urgent concerns.
The VA emphasizes the importance of seeking timely care and encourages veterans to utilize these resources to ensure their health and well-being.
Read next: Veteran and Military Retiree Benefits Guide
VA Benefits for Emergency Care
The VA covers emergency care for veterans under specific conditions:
- Service-connected conditions: The VA will cover emergency care for conditions related to a veteran’s military service.
- Non-service-connected conditions: The VA may cover emergency care for conditions not related to military service if the veteran is enrolled in VA healthcare and meets specific eligibility criteria.
Veterans Emergency Care Options
- VA Medical Centers: Veterans can seek emergency care at VA medical facilities.
- In-Network Community Providers: The VA has established a network of community providers where veterans can receive emergency care.
- Non-VA Facilities: In situations where VA or in-network care is unavailable, veterans can get emergency treatment at a non-VA facility. The VA may cover the cost of this care under certain circumstances. This is especially true if the emergency is life-threatening or related to a service-connected condition.
Veterans should understand their VA healthcare options for emergency care. For detailed information on eligibility and coverage, veterans should visit the VA website or contact their local VA medical center.
Read next: Veteran and Military Retiree Benefits Guide
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
