Busting Five Myths about VA Healthcare

Have you been talking to other veterans and are surprised to know that they don’t get their duly deserved healthcare support through VA?

Well, this is because rumor mills are permanent fixtures, and there are many rumors or myths that deal with VA healthcare as well. While this is a serious matter, these beguiling and pervasive myths prevent many qualified Vets from seeking the healthcare they truly need and deserve.

So, what are these myths? To set the record straight and to help veterans and their families to receive the benefits they are entitled to, in this article, we will bust the five most common VA healthcare myths and misconceptions. You can also share this information with your fellow veterans and help them understand VA healthcare while encouraging them to opt for the care they deserve.

So, without further ado, let’s discuss them in detail.

Myth #1: VA cannot offer Veterans the right care they need

False. The truth is VA is well-established and ready to provide adequate care for all eligible veterans. Every doctor associated with VA healthcare is fully authorized to spend as much time and give as much care to each patient as is necessary.

For instance, in the case of mesothelioma, veterans diagnosed with this rare condition can seek a variety of veterans’ mesothelioma benefits. All eligible veterans can easily choose to receive VA disability benefits. And one way is through the VA or the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

Thus, if you are suffering from a serious illness and seeking VA healthcare, know that the VA offers many veteran benefits for such patients, including financial compensation and healthcare.

Myth #2: Only combat veterans are eligible to receive VA healthcare

Many Vets believe in this statement and take it as a fact. However, combat was never the requirement or eligibility criteria to qualify for VA healthcare. All you need to receive your rightful benefits is that you have served in the military and did not receive a dishonorable discharge for any reason.

While combat veterans often receive enhanced eligibility for VA healthcare benefits, including free VA healthcare, disability compensation, and more, this doesn’t mean you cannot opt for VA healthcare without being in a war zone or serving in combat. All you need is to serve at least one day during the war. Here are the official wartime service dates for further clarification.

You may not receive 100% free healthcare or need to pay a co-pay but remember that each case is unique and the decision on final benefits rest with the VA.

Myth #3: VA healthcare and VA disability are the same

Wrong. Being a veteran, you can opt for VA healthcare enrollment, and you may receive care and treatment. However, to opt for VA Disability Compensation or to be rated with any service-related disability, you need to file a VA disability claim.

So if you seek treatment for any condition that you believe is connected to your service, it may not be rated as service-connected. Even if you inform your doctor that the disability began in service and if the doctor notes that your service is connected, it will not be considered disabled through VA.

However, you can receive the compensation by filing a claim or applying for VA service-related disability compensation, and then you must wait until you receive a decision. The Department of VA gives you a rating decision based on many conditions and depending on the strength of your presented evidence.

But before the VA’s rating decision, you should not consider yourself a disabled veteran to receive benefits.

Myth #4: Women don’t get care through the VA

Another VA healthcare myth is that women don’t receive the required care from VA, but the fact is; veterans from all walks of life can get specialty and primary care from VA. In other words, VA offers a range of care programs to women veterans.

In fact, based on feedback from many women veterans in the US, VA has now enhanced all of its offered services. As a result, there’s a chance that as more women veterans opt for VA healthcare, the offered services will continue to grow. This may include mental health assistance, primary care, gynecological care, reproductive healthcare, military sexual trauma counseling (MST), and more.

However, if your local facility does not offer the service, it may be offered at another location. You can find out this by contacting your local facility and inquiring about the services available locally.

Myth #5: I don’t need/can’t use VA healthcare with private coverage

First, you can use and opt for VA healthcare even if you have private health insurance. Secondly, receiving other health coverage along with VA healthcare has many great advantages.

While the department of VA healthcare encourages veterans to receive their healthcare through VA, you can also choose to get treatment from your private doctors. In this case, the VA works with them to coordinate effective treatment and meet your healthcare needs.

This is called Dual Care or Co-managed Care, in which your private doctor and VA work together to provide appropriate, safe, ethical medical care. Moreover, when you provide the information about your private health insurance, your insurance provider will be charged for all non-service-connected conditions treated by VA.

This means that you can easily offset all or some of your VA copayments. You can save some money by going toward your annual deductible with your private insurer.

Conclusion

We hope our provided information sheds a little light on the prevailing misconceptions and confusing realms of medical care provided by the VA. When you opt for VA healthcare, you become part of one of the US’s largest integrated healthcare systems.

Therefore, we encourage you to dispel these myths as we encourage you to get the comprehensive care you deserve through VA healthcare. Moreover, always look for authentic and reliable sources like http://www.choose.va.gov/health%20to get complete information about the eligibility criteria and process for filing a claim.

Remember, with VA healthcare, you can treat severe injuries and illnesses with utmost care. As a result, you can prevent future health problems, enhance your quality of life, improve your ability to function, and live a healthy life. So, file your VA claim today if you haven’t and also share this information with others and help them live a better life.