Nursing Home Coverage through the VA Health Care System
Nursing home coverage along with other long-term care services, such as home care, and assisted living as well as geriatric care management are available through the Veterans Health Administration for qualifying veterans.
In order to get into the veterans healthcare program, the veteran must have service-connected disabilities, or be below a qualifying income level, or be receiving Veterans Pension income. Once in the system, a veteran is are not guaranteed long-term care services, including nursing home care, unless the veteran meets specific requirements. Here is a list of these requirements for nursing home coverage.
Who is Eligible for Nursing Home Care?
• Any veteran who has a service-connected disability rating of 70% or more;
• A veteran who is rated 60% service-connected and is unemployable or has an official rating of “permanent and total disabled;”
• A veteran with combined disability ratings of 70% or more;
• A veteran whose service-connected disability is clinically determined to require nursing home care;
• Nonservice-connected veterans and those officially referred to as “zero percent, noncompensable, service-connected” veterans who require nursing home care for any nonservice-connected disability and who meet income and asset criteria; or
• If space and resources are available, other veterans on a case-by-case basis with priority given to service-connected veterans and those who need care for post-acute rehabilitation, respite, hospice, geriatric evaluation and management, or spinal cord injury.
VA's nursing home health system programs include VA-operated nursing home care units and contract community nursing homes. Many VA hospitals operate nursing home care units located in or near the hospital. Other hospitals, without adequate nursing home beds, contract with approximately 2,500 community private nursing homes nationwide to provide services.
Andrew H. Hook
Oast & Hook
www.oasthook.com
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