VETERAN'S BENEFITS
Stewart Urist, the Assistant Chief of Social Work at the Boston Veteran's Healthcare System (formerly the JP VA hospital) and Jack Soraghan of the Veteran's Benefits Administration addressed staff at the September Community Resource Center presentation. They explained that the Department of Veteran's Affairs is divided into two parts: the Veteran's Health Administration and the Veteran's Benefits Administration. The Veteran's Health Administration is in the process of reorganization using an HMO model. To be eligible for services through the Veteran's Health Administration a veteran must be enrolled, which then leads to assignment to a PCP. If one is already receiving services through one of their facilities this enrollment is automatic. Those new to the system need to fill out an application. Copies are available through the CRC. The application asks for information about the applicant's military history, employment status, financial status and other medical insurance. Applicants are then assigned to one of 7 priority categories. Who the system is able to serve is based on federal budget appropriations, but to date they have been able to serve all categories. These categories also determine if the applicant will be subject to co-payments for services.
In addition to inpatient and outpatient medical services, home-health care and adult day health are covered in some circumstances. The home-health care benefit is similar to that under Medicare. Adult day health offers a limited benefit- 6 months, with the exception of those with service-connected disabilities who may qualify for an indefinite benefit. What is not covered is dental care, eyeglasses and extended care (due to current budget constraints). There is, however, pending legislation, that would provide 100 days of coverage in a nursing home in addition to the Medicare benefit for those who had a VA hospitalization.
Because all of this is complex the best way to find out eligibility information for an individual client is to call 232-9500 extension 5269 or 5270 and ask for MAS (Medical Administration Service) or call the Social Work department directly. They have an electronic medical record that will allow them, with patient consent, to tell you if the patient is enrolled and the names of their providers. To reach the Social Work department call 278-4552 or 232-9500 x4085, 4086 or 4087. Mail copies of the enrollment form (10-10 EZ) to: Cathleen Stephens (136) The Veteran's Benefits Administration primarily deals with compensation and pension benefits. Only about 12% of veterans nationally receive assistance under either of these programs. Compensation refers to monthly, tax-free payments for a service-related disability. The amount of compensation depends on what the Administration determines is the percentage of disability. Compensation starts at 10% disability. There is a large difference in amounts paid between a 90% and a 100% disability rating. The process involves a review of service medical records and a compensation exam. Pension benefits are more equivalent to a disability payment than a retirement benefit as the name implies. To be eligible one must have income below the poverty level, have at least 90 days of service, at least 1 day of which was wartime service (though this does not mean one has to have been in combat, and in fact, from the Gulf War in 1990 to the present is considered wartime service), and be permanently and totally disabled. The disability does not have to be service-connected. Presumptive eligibility is granted for those with Agent Orange exposure, exposure to ionizing radiation, and certain diseases linked to such exposure. This benefit pays less than SSI, and does not bring automatic MassHealth, but it is much easier to obtain. If one is eligible for a military pension SSI requires that one apply for it first. Eligibility rules are very complex, second in the nation only to the US tax code. For information related to a particular case call 800 827-1000, or visit the VA website at www.va.gov. Note that Massachusetts also offers separate benefits for Veterans. They use a stricter definition of veteran- must have served in war-time. The federal definition is just that the person served on active-duty and has a discharge other than dishonorable. State veteran's benefits include various tax abatements, reduced fees on car registrations, state tuition exemptions and civil service preferences. The Soldier's home is a state and federally funded program with two sites- Chelsea and Holyoke. It offers a range of services- hospital, nursing home, outpatient and dormitory services. To qualify one must have an honorable discharge, and a Massachusetts resident for 5 years. The Veteran's Benefits Clearinghouse was also represented at the meeting. It is a private, nonprofit, community service organization that provides services and support to Boston veterans and their families with an outreach focus on Roxbury. Some of their programs include counseling, job training, employment referrals and placement, an emergency food pantry, HIV/AIDS outreach and prevention, mortgage origination and services, affordable housing development, and an emergency loan fund. Their phone number is 541-8846. 10/99
MAS
Boston VA Health Care System
150 South Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 12130