Limits Placed on VA Dental Coverage

Dear Sgt. Shaft:

I am a Vietnam veteran, a former Marine Corps sergeant and a retired government worker. I am also a 90 percent service-related disabled veteran. My question is where and how can I receive dental care? The Veterans Affairs hospital that I utilize states that unless I am a 100 percent disabled veteran, I cannot receive full dental care at this facility.

Respectfully,

Steven B.
Greencastle, Pa.

Dear Steven:

VA eligibility laws require you to be 100 percent service-connected disabled to be eligible for dental care. An exemption is made if you are found to be unemployable by the VA. In that case, you would only need to be greater than 50 percent service-connected disabled to receive dental care. If you think you may qualify for the unemployable benefit and would like to speak with someone, you may contact the eligibility clerk at your local medical center for more information about that benefit.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Shaft Notes:

The National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) will hold its 61st annual conference in Annapolis from Sept. 15 to 20. The theme of the event at the Historic Inns of Annapolis will be "Honoring America's Veterans Since the Revolution."

NASDVA recognizes the great worth and merit of all congressionally chartered veterans organizations and asserts a willingness and determination to cooperate with such organizations.

The group consists of the top Veterans Affairs official in each state and territory. The purposes of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs are to foster the effective representation of people claiming entitlements on account of the honorable military service of any person as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101; to provide a medium for the exchange of ideas and information; to facilitate reciprocal state services; to secure uniformity, equality, efficiency and effectiveness in providing services to veterans and their family members in all the states and territories; and to maintain an interest in all veterans legislation.

For additional information, contact Floyd E. Vasquez at 505/841-5562.

Health Net Federal Services LLC, the government operations division of Health Net Inc., recently announced its Warrior Care Support Program to directly connect severely injured or ill "warriors" — what they call veterans — and their families or care-support members to a single point of contact for total health care support once the Military Treatment Facility system has determined care would be best delivered within the civilian health care sector.

"The Warrior Care Support Program is designed to leave the navigation of health care services to the Health Net Care Coordination Team and allow warriors and their families to focus their time and energy on healing and recovery," said Steve Tough, president of Health Net Federal Services.

Through this specialized health care service, Health Net will ensure that physical and behavioral health care services, including social services, are accessible to warriors and are provided in a timely, coordinated fashion. Each warrior will be assigned a health care coordinator, who will assist in a seamless transition throughout the various stages of health care services and military status changes.

After a warrior's transfer of care, the coordinator will serve as the warrior's single point of contact, personally providing guidance through the civilian care continuum to facilitate best-in-quality health care and to improve the warrior's quality of life. The coordinator will work with physicians, physical therapists and other health care providers; empower warriors with knowledge about their health care choices; and assist with claims, resolutions and authorizations for civilian durable medical equipment and care.

Health Net's Care Coordination Team includes hand-picked professionals with experience in utilization management, transitional care, case management, social services and behavioral health services. In addition, a team of Health Net physicians will work closely with Health Net care coordinators to provide support and counsel.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax 301/622-3330; call 202/257-5446; or e-mail sgtshaft@bavf.org.