Post by jcfromgnatflats on Jan 10, 2009 13:46:09 GMT -6
At some time in your life, you may need emergency care. For veterans
enrolled in the VA Health Care system when it is not possible for you to go
to a VA medical center, you should go to the nearest hospital that has an
emergency room. If you are in an ambulance, the paramedics will usually take
you to the closest emergency room. A medical emergency is when you have an
injury or illness that is so severe that without immediate treatment, the
injury or illness threatens your health or life. Use your best judgment in
deciding whether or not it is a medical emergency. If you believe it is call
911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You do not need to call the VA
before you obtain emergency care. However, if you are admitted, your family,
friends or hospital staff should contact the nearest VA medical center as
soon as possible to provide information about your emergency room visit. If
the doctor wants to admit you to the hospital, and it is not an emergency
you must obtain approval from the VA. You, a friend, a family member, or
someone from the non-VA hospital must call the closest VA medical center and
speak to the patient transfer or patient administration representative. This
must be done within 72 hours of your arrival at the emergency room. If a VA
bed is available and if you can be safely transferred, you must be moved. If
you refuse to be transferred, the VA will not pay for any further care.
VA will not pay for emergency care if you are in jail. Usually the jail
has responsibility for providing you with medical care. VA will only pay
for emergency care outside the US if your emergency is related to a
service-connected condition. Contact the VA Health Administration Center at
(877) 345-8179. You can find more information on the Foreign Medical Program
at www.va.gov/hac/hacmain.asp. All claims should be filed with the
nearest VA medical center as quickly as possible. Time limits usually apply.
You may have to pay for a portion of your emergency care dependent on
several factors which vary according to the care you received. Your local
VA medical center's patient benefits counselor can explain these and other
factors and their impact on your particular circumstance. You can also get
answers to your questions on the Health Administration Center Internet
website at www.va.gov/hac/hacmain.asp under Non-VA Care. [Source:
www.nonvacare.va.gov/emergencycare.asp16 Dec 08 ++]
enrolled in the VA Health Care system when it is not possible for you to go
to a VA medical center, you should go to the nearest hospital that has an
emergency room. If you are in an ambulance, the paramedics will usually take
you to the closest emergency room. A medical emergency is when you have an
injury or illness that is so severe that without immediate treatment, the
injury or illness threatens your health or life. Use your best judgment in
deciding whether or not it is a medical emergency. If you believe it is call
911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You do not need to call the VA
before you obtain emergency care. However, if you are admitted, your family,
friends or hospital staff should contact the nearest VA medical center as
soon as possible to provide information about your emergency room visit. If
the doctor wants to admit you to the hospital, and it is not an emergency
you must obtain approval from the VA. You, a friend, a family member, or
someone from the non-VA hospital must call the closest VA medical center and
speak to the patient transfer or patient administration representative. This
must be done within 72 hours of your arrival at the emergency room. If a VA
bed is available and if you can be safely transferred, you must be moved. If
you refuse to be transferred, the VA will not pay for any further care.
VA will not pay for emergency care if you are in jail. Usually the jail
has responsibility for providing you with medical care. VA will only pay
for emergency care outside the US if your emergency is related to a
service-connected condition. Contact the VA Health Administration Center at
(877) 345-8179. You can find more information on the Foreign Medical Program
at www.va.gov/hac/hacmain.asp. All claims should be filed with the
nearest VA medical center as quickly as possible. Time limits usually apply.
You may have to pay for a portion of your emergency care dependent on
several factors which vary according to the care you received. Your local
VA medical center's patient benefits counselor can explain these and other
factors and their impact on your particular circumstance. You can also get
answers to your questions on the Health Administration Center Internet
website at www.va.gov/hac/hacmain.asp under Non-VA Care. [Source:
www.nonvacare.va.gov/emergencycare.asp16 Dec 08 ++]