Veterans can choose health care locally
Crossing Rivers CEO Bill Sexton, Crossing Rivers Revenue Cycle Director Chris Brophy and Crawford County Veterans Service Officer Laura Moore recently gathered to share information about the Veterans Choice Program now offered through the hospital in Prairie du Chien. All three happen to be veterans themselves. (Submitted photo)
By Correne Martin
Southwest Wisconsin and northeast Iowa veterans can now receive timely access to health care in Prairie du Chien when the states’ Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities cannot provide such care. Through the new Veterans Choice Program, Crossing Rivers Health can provide primary care, inpatient and outpatient specialty care and mental health care for veterans enrolled in the VA health care system when the VA lacks available specialists, has long wait times or is located more than 40 miles from the veteran’s home.
“This all came up in 2014 after the [Veterans Health Administration scandal of reported negligence in the treatment of veterans],” said Laura Moore, Crawford County veterans service officer. “This is what Congress decided could alleviate some of the issues.”
Crossing Rivers signed a contract about two months ago with the VA and its fiscal intermediary, Health Net, to begin offering the Veterans Choice Program to area service men and women.
“It’s really about access to services for rural veterans. More veterans are returning to rural areas versus urban areas, though most services are located in urban areas,” noted Bill Sexton, Crossing Rivers CEO, a veteran himself who sits on the National Rural Health Association advisory panel.
The Veterans Choice Program created the Choice card that allows veterans who face long waits or distances to see a doctor of their choice. Some specialty services might require preauthorization, Sexton said.
In Crawford County alone, there are active files on 1,500 veterans at the veterans service office. This program could potentially improve the welfare of that many veterans, or more who are not registered with the office. Some veterans have yet to discover the veterans service office and its benefits.
Veterans wanting to participate in this program must first apply for their Choice card through the VA. The Crawford County Veterans Service Office has the appropriate forms, as do the veterans affairs offices in Grant, Clayton and Allamakee counties, in Crossing Rivers’ service area. Or, the application can be done online at www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply.
Veterans who are not yet enrolled in the VA health care system itself should contact Moore at 326-0204 or call (866) 606-8198.
Eligibility in the Veterans Choice Program is based upon certain criteria, including having “anything other than a bad discharge (from the military),” Moore said. The same copay applies as if the veteran were being treated at a VA facility.
“The VA (facility) in Madison teams with UW-Hospital and has access to a lot of specialists as well as new or test medications, treatments and studies. It has its pluses and minuses, but the Veterans Choice Program is available to help veterans get their routine and chronic care close to home,” Moore clarified. “If we have somebody here, locally, who can provide the services, why do we have to drive two hours one way to get a blood test? If we have someone who needs physical therapy, why would we want to undo the benefits of that therapy on a two-hour drive home? Where are we saving money in [those situations]?”
She added that many veterans work full-time and usually have to take a whole day off work just to schedule a VA appointment.
“This conversation was started because of the long wait times. The hope is to alleviate that by offering the Veterans Choice alternative so veterans don’t have to wait until they need that specialist,” said Chris Brophy, Crossing Rivers’ revenue cycle director.
“Convenience is important. Access is important to establishing that routine of care, especially with people you know and people who care about you,” Sexton said. “These people have defended our country. So to some extent, its our obligation to support these efforts.”
Though the Veterans Choice Program is expected to sunset in 2017, Moore stated she doesn’t see that happening.
The Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016 seeks to make the Veterans Choice Program permanent so veterans can continue to count on health care that is timely and close to home. The act also seeks to “eliminate the redundant, bureaucratic layering that is causing our veterans to experience confusion and delay. Our veterans fought to defend our country, and we promised them the best health care in the world. This legislation seeks to make good on this sacred promise.”
With questions, contact Moore at 326-0204 or Crossing Rivers Health at 357-2000. Brophy, who works in the business office, can assist patients with the pre-authorization process.
