Page 6 - Desert Oracle February 2022

VA Community Care

During a medical emergency, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

recommends Veterans to seek immediate attention without delay.
You do not need to contact VA before calling for an ambulance or going to the
Emergency Department. In most cases eligible Veterans are able to receive VA

authorized emergency care at an in-network facility if VA is notified of the event

within 72 hours of the start of care.

We emphasize that your visit to a community emergency room visit be reported

to VA as soon as possible because it allows VA to assist in coordinating your care
or transfer, this help ensure that administrative and clinical requirements for VA
to pay for care are met.

VA now offers urgent care services to eligible veterans at in-network urgent care

clinics close to home. You can use urgent care benefits to treat minor injuries and
illnesses that are not life threatening; infections, sprains, etc.

To be eligible the Veteran must be enrolled in the VA Health Care System and
have received care through VA in the past 24 months.

Providers can report your emergency treatment through VA’s Emergency Care

Reporting (ECR) portal. https://EmergencyCareReporting.CommunityCare.va.gov,
or (844-724-7842). You may also contact your local VAMC or primary care clinic.

Michael Wilson, National Service Officer