Some ailing veterans can now use their federal health care benefits at CVS
"MinuteClinics" to treat minor illnesses and injuries, under a pilot
program announced Tuesday by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The new program, currently limited to the Phoenix area, comes three
years after the VA faced allegations of chronically long wait times at
its centers, including its Phoenix facility, which treats about 120,000
veterans.
The Phoenix pilot program is a test-run by VA Secretary David Shulkin
who is working on a nationwide plan to reduce veterans' wait times.
Veterans would not be bound by current restrictions under the VA's
Choice program, which limits outside care to those who have been waiting
more than 30 days for an appointment or have to drive more than 40
miles to a facility. Instead, Phoenix VA nurses staffing the medical
center's help line will be able to refer veterans to MinuteClinics for
government-paid care when "clinically appropriate."
Shulkin has made clear he'd like a broader collaboration of "integrated
care" nationwide between the VA and private sector in which veterans
have wider access to private doctors. But, he wants the VA to handle all
scheduling and "customer service" — something that veterans groups
generally support but government auditors caution could prove unwieldy
and expensive.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump plans to sign legislation to
temporarily extend the $10 billion Choice program until its money runs
out, pending the administration's plan due out by fall. That broader
plan would have to be approved by Congress.
"Our number one priority is getting veterans' access to care when and
where they need it," said Baligh Yehia, the VA's deputy undersecretary
for health for community care. "The launch of this partnership will
enable VA to provide more care for veterans in their neighborhoods."
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