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ND Veterans Affairs News: Federal

VA Fixes Veterans Crisis Line

March 21, 2017

In response to the recently released VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) report that reviewed processes from June 6 through December 15, 2016 of the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL), the Department of Veterans Affairs released the following statement:

The Department of Veterans Affairs is proud to announce that the challenges with the Veterans Crisis Line have been resolved.

Prior to the opening of our new Atlanta call center our call roll over rate often exceeded 30%. Our current call roll over rate is less than 1%, with over 99% of all calls being answered by the VCL.

VA established presumption of Service Connection for Diseases associated with exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune

March 14, 2017

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulations to establish presumptions for the service connection of eight diseases associated with exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, N.C. are effective as of today.

“Establishing these presumptions is a demonstration of our commitment to care for those who have served our Nation and have been exposed to harm as a result of that service,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Dr. David J. Shulkin. “The Camp Lejeune presumptions will make it easier for those Veterans to receive the care and benefits they earned.”

Social Security and Veterans Affairs Partnership Means Faster Disability Decisions for Veterans

March 9, 2017

Today, the Social Security Administration announces the launch of a new Health IT initiative with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that enables all Social Security disability case processing sites to receive medical records electronically from all VA facilities. Veterans will receive a faster decision on their Social Security disability claim, speeding them and their dependents through this new process. Both agencies will save time and money with an automatic request through the eHealth Exchange.

VA Secretary Announces Intention to Expand Mental Health Care to Former Servicemembers With Other-Than-Honorable Discharges and in Crisis

March 8, 2017

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Dr. David J. Shulkin while testifying in a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on March 7, 2017, announced his intention to expand provisions for urgent mental health care needs to former servicemembers with other-than-honorable (OTH) administrative discharges.  This move marks the first time a VA Secretary has implemented an initiative specifically focused on expanding access to assist former OTH servicemembers who are in mental health distress and may be at risk for suicide or other adverse behaviors.

VA Health Care System and Veterans Benefits Town Hall in Jamestown

March 6, 2017
The Fargo VA Health Care System and Veterans Benefits Administration will host a Veterans Town Hall and Claims Clinic on March 9 in the Stutsman County Law Enforcement Center Conference Room 1, located at 205 6th Street Southeast, Jamestown, N.D.
The Town Hall, open to both Veterans and the general public, will be hosted by the Fargo VA HCS Director, Lavonne Liversage, and the Director of the VBA’s Dakotas Regional Office, Shawn Bohn.

Fargo VAMC holding a New Veteran Patient Orientation March 8, 2017

February 22, 2017

The Fargo VA Medical Center (2101 Elm Street N., Fargo) will host a New Veteran Patient Orientation, March 8, 2017, from 2 to 4 p.m. 

The orientation is open to all Veterans who are enrolled in the Fargo VA Health Care System. Veterans are also encouraged to bring a guest to the orientation, such as a fellow Veteran or family member. 

During the orientation, attendees will receive information regarding health benefits and the myriad of resources and care available within the Fargo VA Health Care System. 

VA to Provide Fertility Counseling and Treatment for Certain Veterans and Spouses

January 23, 2017

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that it is amending its regulation regarding fertility counseling and treatment available to eligible Veterans and spouses.  VA currently provides certain infertility services other than in vitro fertilization (IVF) services to Veterans as part of the medical benefits package.  This interim final rule authorizes IVF for a Veteran with a service-connected disability that results in the inability of the Veteran to procreate without the use of fertility treatment.

VA’s Rule Establishes a Presumption of Service Connection for Diseases Associated with Exposure to Contaminants in the Water Supply at Camp Lejeune

January 23, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2017

VA’s Rule Establishes a Presumption of Service Connection for Diseases Associated with Exposure to Contaminants in the Water Supply at Camp Lejeune
VA to provide disability benefits for related diseases

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has published regulations to establish presumptions for the service connection of eight diseases associated with exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Patient Access Progress update #61

January 23, 2017

Patient Access Progress Update
Release 61 – January 12, 2017
Summary
In keeping with the commitment to improve transparency in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) processes and in accordance with Section 206 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (VACAA), VA today released the latest update of facility-level patient access data and is highlighting notable access improvements. In this release, VA is providing one report:

1. Pending Appointments (Snapshot of Data on January 1, 2017)*

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulation on copayments for Veterans’ outpatient medications for non-service connected conditions.

December 12, 2016

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulation on copayments for Veterans’ outpatient medications for non-service connected conditions. VA currently charges non-exempt Veterans either $8 or $9 for each 30-day or less supply of outpatient medication, and under current regulations, a calculation based on the medication of the Medical Consumer Price Index (CPI-P) would be used to determine the copayment amount in future years. 

VA Works with Veteran-Run Company ID.me to Offer Veterans More Secure, Convenient Online Services

December 7, 2016

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that, with help from Veteran-run small business ID.me, Veterans will now be able to manage their own health care and benefits online more simply and safely. Vets.gov now meets the “Level of Assurance 3” (LOA3) information assurance standard, which will allow VA to offer Veterans more features on a single convenient site. This is the highest level of security used to protect user data and privacy, and VA is a leader in both the government and private sectors with an LOA3 logon account.

Fargo VA to host Veterans Town Hall Dec. 8

November 21, 2016

FARGO, N.D. – The Fargo VA Health Care System and Veterans Benefits Administration will host a Veterans Town Hall and Claims Clinic at the Fargo VA Medical Center in the 3rd floor auditorium, Dec. 8.

The Town Hall, open to both Veterans and the general public, will be hosted by the Fargo VA HCS Director, Lavonne Liversage, and the Director of the VBA’s Dakotas Regional Office, Shawn Bohn.

The Town Hall will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. CST. The purpose of the Town Hall is to share information, hear feedback, and answer questions about VA health care and benefits.

Fargo VA holds New Veteran Patient Orientation, Nov. 9

October 31, 2016

The Fargo VA Medical Center (2101 Elm Street N., Fargo) will host a New Veteran Patient Orientation, Nov. 9, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

The orientation is open to all Veterans who are enrolled in the Fargo VA Health Care System. Veterans are also encouraged to bring a guest to the orientation, such as a fellow Veteran or family member.

During the orientation, attendees will receive information regarding health benefits and the myriad of resources and care available within the Fargo VA Health Care System.

Tours of the Medical Center will be available after the orientation.

Fargo VA begins new Veterans Choice Program initiative to help Choice-eligible Veterans better coordinate their medical care in their communities

October 4, 2016
Beginning Oct. 4, Veterans enrolled in the Fargo VA Health Care System who are eligible for the Choice program will now be able to work directly with VA staff located in Fargo to help schedule and coordinate community medical care appointments.
Entitled the Choice Program Care Coordination initiative, Veterans can contact the Fargo VA Health Care System Clinical Resource Management Department at 866-517-9363 to facilitate their healthcare needs in their respective communities.

Grafton VA clinic moving to new location in April 2017

October 3, 2016
The Fargo VA Health Care System has awarded a lease at a new site for its Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Grafton, N.D.
The approximately 3,000 square-foot space, located at 1215 11th Street West, Grafton, N.D., is expected to be ready for occupancy by April of 2017. The contract with Construction Managers, Inc., is a 10-year lease.

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