I have had health care at the VA for many years. This year I was told I am no longer eligible for Community Care. Why?

2022-06-16T08:50:38-04:00

My husband pasted a year ago the 25 of this month I was eligible before he past but not know.Why??

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 16 at 2022 9:53 AM

2022-06-16T09:53:38-04:00

Per the website community care requires VA approval. You may not have lost eligibility to receive VA services but if they prefer to treat you locally instead of community care that is something to bring up with them. You should contact patient advocacy if you can't get any answers.

https://www.va.gov/communitycare/programs/veterans/general_care.asp

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jun 16 at 2022 10:17 AM

2022-06-16T10:17:38-04:00

CPL Amie Mclaughlin My condolences on the loss of your husband. Additionally, I am sorry you are having to deal with this situation.

In line with what SSgt Christophe Murphy said, every time I go to community care it is only after referral from VA. Half the time I didn't even *want* community care, but VA had no openings.

Based on the nature of your post, I assume your health care access was via your (now) deceased spouse, and not through your own eligibility. If you qualified for health benefits through the caregiver program, and you are no longer giving care now that your husband has passed, this may cause a cessation of that benefit. If you were participating in CHAMPVA, then your eligibility should continue past your husband's death. But, like so many things in our automated world, a computer somewhere may have marked your husband as deceased and erroneously terminated your benefits. If either of these is the case, you will need to speak with a VA benefits coordinator to clarify and/or (hopefully) rectify the situation.

If neither of these is the case, it is likely just a case of VA wanting to move treatment back to VA and out of the community. A quick talk with your primary care doctor's clinic's staff should be able to clear it up, and give you a better understanding of what treatment you can expect at the clinic vs. the community.

I wish you the best of luck in this and all future endeavours.