New Veterans Choice card rolling out to VA patients

Veterans who would otherwise have a long drive to a VA medical facility or would have to wait weeks for an appointment have new options, Iowa City VA leaders said Thursday.

In a quarterly town hall meeting at the Coralville Public Library, hospital leaders discussed the implementation of the new Veterans Choice Card following the passage of the federal Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act earlier this year.

The card allows veterans who were enrolled in the VA health care system before Aug. 1, or newly discharged combat veterans, to receive care from non-VA providers in their communities if:

• They reside more than 40 miles from the nearest VA medical facility.

• They are unable to secure an appointment at a VA medical facility within 30 days from their preferred date or the date that is medically determined by their physician.

“We have every intention of remaining your medical home,” Dr. Richard Charlat, Chief of Staff at the Iowa City VA, told a small audience at the forum. “We have always given services to veterans in our area, and I know if you have to wait over 30 days, this new program is available. But we’re going to do our darnedest to keep our folks who come to us, and to be your medical home.”

Joe Goedken, business office manager at the VA, said the Veterans Choice cards initially began to roll out last month in two phases to veterans outside 40 miles or who are currently on a waiting list of more than 30 days. Cards for all patients enrolled in VA will be mailed early next year, he said.

Goedken said qualifying patients can be seen by non-VA providers that are enrolled in the network of the third-party administrator, Health Net. The administrator then pays the health care provider, and the patient’s records come back to the VA.

President Obama signed the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act into law in August in response to thousands of veterans not receiving timely medical care and a cover up within the VA system of those long wait times.

NEW PROGRAMS: The Iowa City VA has implemented a number of new programs designed to enhance care, said acting director Dawn Oxley at Thursday’s town hall meeting.

Dine on Demand, a new room service program, allows patients to order meals from their beds at any time instead of having to eat at set times and from a set menu.

The hospital has implemented a program called “No Veteran Dies Alone” that pairs trained volunteers with dying veterans who might not have family present, ensuring they’re not alone in their rooms in their final days.

Another program called “The Final Salute” honors veterans when they die with a small ceremony as they leave their room and a flag is presented to family members.

The VA is also offering new alternative therapy options at its Coralville clinic. The hospital has two chiropractors who can perform acupuncture for patients.

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES: A number of construction efforts are either in the works on the horizon, Oxley said. The projects include:

• A parking ramp currently under construction is behind schedule, but is expected to be completed by April.

• The hospital plans to construct a new operating room facility that will be added to the existing. It is expected to be completed in January 2016.

• Construction is under way the eighth floor of the hospital, where renovations are planned for endoscopy, cardiology and oncology facilities.

• The hospital is also in the process of expanding bathrooms on each floor to make them handicapped accessible.