The Veterans Administration will now allow veterans in suicidal crisis to go to any VA or non-VA healthcare facility for free emergency healthcare. That includes inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the suicide rate for veterans in Oregon in 2015, the most recent year data is available, was 37.2 percent, which was more than double the national average among non-veterans.

Veterans do not need to be enrolled in VA health care to use this benefit. This expansion will increase access to acute suicide care for up to 9 million veterans who are not currently enrolled in the VA system.

The policy took effect on January 17 allowing the VA to:

• Provides, pay for, or reimburse for treatment of eligible individual's emergency suicide care, transportation costs, and follow-up care at a VA or non-VA facility for up to 30 days of inpatient care and 90 days of outpatient care.
• Make appropriate referrals for care following the period of emergency suicide care.
• Determine eligibility for other VA services and benefits.
• Refer eligible individuals for appropriate VA programs and benefits following the period of emergency suicide care.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Eligible individuals, regardless of VA enrollment status:

• Veterans who were discharged or released from active duty after more than 24 months of active service under conditions other than dishonorable.
• Former members of the armed forces, including reserve service members, who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation either directly or by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
• Former members of the armed forces who were the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment while serving in the armed forces.
  
  Lt. Shelby Brown, is promoting Mission 22 in Oregon, which provides support to Veterans and their families when they need it most – right now. Through a comprehensive approach of outreach, events and programs, they promote long-term wellness and sustainable growth. Lt. Brown, through the foundation’s Facebook page, promoted a fitness challenge to help bring awareness to veterans lost or struggling, and the families affected by the struggle to reacclimate to the home environment after being on duty for so long. The challenge drew in adults in custody (AIC), and they continue to participate in challenges to support the OSP’s Veteran’s Club.
  
  
  --Donna Bleiler
  
  

  Post Date: 2023-03-13 15:17:49

  Last Update: 2023-03-13 18:22:03