Network Update - January 2009
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Department of Veterans Affairs January 2009
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| At the beginning of each New Year's Day we remember the events of the past and look forward with hope to the year ahead. We hope your New Year is all you want it to be. This New Year will bring a new Secretary of Veterans Affairs. We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, as we remain committed to providing you world-class health care, second to none. Happy New Year – we look forward to serving you in 2009. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| President Elect Selects VA Secretary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On December 7, the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, President-elect Barack Obama announced retired General Eric K. Shinseki, 66, as his selection to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Born in Lihue, Kauai, Shinseki is the first Japanese-American to reach the rank of four-star general. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1965. During his 38 years as a soldier, he received two Purple Hearts for life-threatening injuries sustained in Vietnam. General Shinseki’s confirmation hearing is set for January 14, 2009. |
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| Workload and Financial Report for 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Network serves veterans residing in a seven state area through a system of community based outpatient and outreach clinics, hospitals, community living centers, and domiciliary residential rehabilitation treatment programs. In 2008, the network served more than 277,000 veterans with an annual budget of $1.78 billion. The following graphic shows workload and resources as compared to 2007.
Veteran patients treated |
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| HOME SAFE - DRIVE SAFE - STAY SAFE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VA will soon kick off a Home Safe. Drive Safe. Stay Safe driving initiative to help keep you accident free. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in veterans in the early years after returning from deployment. Don’t let a motor vehicle accident be the death of you. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t ride with a drunk driver. Always wear your seat belt. If you ride a motorcycle, always wear a helmet. Mile for mile, a car is about 35 times safer than a motorcycle. You can make a difference. Home Safe - Drive Safe - Stay Safe – It’s up to you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Returning Service Members | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Through the end of November 2008, Minnesota VA medical facilities enrolled a total of 11,628 combat veterans, including 6,262 National Guard members; 3,316 Reservist; and 2050 active military. VISN 23 has enrolled a total of 29,190 combat veterans, including: 16,487 National Guard members; 5,196 Reservist; and 7,507 active military. The majority of those enrolled receive outpatient care, with 590 receiving inpatient care. There are a number who choose to enroll only. Those who choose to enroll only are encouraged to come to a VA facility for a minimum baseline medical exam. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Approved NEW CBOCs Planned to Open in FY2008-FY2010 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Hardship Veterans Outreach | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Are you a veteran who is suffering from financial distress or struggling with your VA copays? Have you lost your job, or currently face significant decrease in your household income? Please let us can help. Contact the Business Office at your local VA medical center for more information. For more information log on at: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1638 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Means Test Thresholds for Calendar Year 2009 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following Means Test and Geographic-Based Means Test Thresholds will be used for Calendar Year 2009: |
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| VA Opens Enrollment to More Veterans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| On January 8, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced plans to re-open enrollment in its health care system by July 2009 to about 265,000 veterans whose incomes exceed current limits. The change affects veterans whose incomes exceed the current VA means test and geographic means test income thresholds by 10 percent or less. Congress provided funds in VA’s fiscal year 2009 budget to support the new enrollment. In 1996, Congress established a priority-based enrollment system for VA and a uniform package of medical benefits for all enrollees. The legislation opened enrollment in VA’s health care system to all eligible veterans and required that each year the Secretary of Veterans Affairs assess veterans’ demand for services and determine if the necessary resources are available to provide timely, quality care to all enrollees. VA originally suspended enrollment for Priority 8 veterans because it was unable to provide all enrolled veterans with timely access to its health care due to a tremendous growth in the number of veterans then seeking enrollment. VA now plans to reopen enrollment for a portion of these veterans without compromising the Department’s ability to provide high quality health care services to all enrolled veterans who are eligible for care. VA’s computer systems are being modified to accommodate the changes, and the Department is preparing communication and education materials to ensure that Congress, veterans service organizations, and the public are aware of the coming changes. Read VA news release at http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1641 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beneficiary Travel and Pharmacy Co-Pays | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In November, the Department of Veterans Affairs increased beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate from 28.5 cents a mile to 41.5 cents a mile. The Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (S.2162) also mandated a return and freeze of the deductible at $3.00 for each one way trip. This change became effective in January 2009. Requests to waive the deductible can be submitted to the Travel Clerks at VA facilities. VA also announced medication co-pays for 2009 will remain at $8.00 per 30 day prescription. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Suicide Prevention | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Suicide prevention amongst veterans is a very important goal for the VA. As part of VA's Suicide Prevention Initiative, public service announcements (PSA) have been developed to speak directly to veterans and their families. The first public service announcement (PSA) featured Actor Gary Sinise and targeted veterans directly. The latest PSA features TV personality Deborah Norville and includes key messages designed to help the families and loved ones of veterans recognize warning signs of potential suicide. The PSAs also provide helpful information to aid in support and intervention. To view the video or to learn more about suicide prevention log on at http://www1.va.gov/health/index.asp | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Omaha VAMC Emergency Room Dedicated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System recently dedicated a newly renovated emergency department at its Omaha medical center and opened for business on January 2. The renovations took nearly a year and cost about $1.7 million, not including equipment. New features include three fast-track rooms for assessing and treating minor illnesses such as coughs and colds; two patient examination rooms that are multifunctional and can be used to isolate patients with suspected infectious diseases or “safed” to provide psychiatric care; a trauma room for rapid responses; six examination rooms; a patient simulation room with a computer-simulated mannequin to train staff and medical students; a private grieving room; and a business office and reception area. The emergency department is open 24 hours a day. During fiscal year 2008, the department’s staff treated 11,800 veterans, and admitted about 2,100 to the Omaha VA Medical Center. Staff is comprised of a medical director physician, a register nurse (RN) manager and 11 RNs. Omaha VA’s emergency department is a level-2 facility, which means its staff provides emergent care, but is not certified as a trauma center. For veterans with trauma, the emergency department staff treats, stabilizes and arranges the patient for transfer to the on-call Omaha trauma center of the day at Creighton or the University of Nebraska Medical centers. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sioux Falls VA Variety Show | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 19th Annual VA Variety Show will take place Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 2:00PM. All veterans and their families are invited to participate. The show features all kinds of talent-comedy, dance, vocal and instrumental music. If you are interested in being a part of the show, but need asdsistance in putting together an act, Recreation Therapy is available to help. Assistance is also needed behind the scenes as stagehands, ushers, etc. Deadline for auditions for the show is Friday, February 6, 2009. Pleae call (605) 336-3230 x4143. |
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| St. Cloud VAMC Turkey Hunt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Applications will be available beginning January 19, 2009, for the fifth annual Physically Disabled Veterans Turkey Hunt. Sponsored by the St. Cloud VA Medical Center, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota National Guard, Camp Ripley, this special hunt will take place April 21-23, 2009, at Camp Ripley in Little Falls. The Physically Disabled Veterans Turkey Hunt is available to physically disabled veterans who receive outpatient treatment at a VA Medical Center, or veterans who are eligible for VA care and cannot hunt during the regular firearms season. Limited space is available. Applications will be available beginning Monday, January 19, 2009. The deadline for applications to be returned is Friday, March 6, 2009. |
