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News by Topic: Veterans

Mar 27, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) making changes to rates contained within the VA fee schedule, which is used as part of the rate structure for certain agreements the VA uses to purchase community care under the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP). This notice also describes the VA's use of non-reimbursable codes and industry-standard business practices to ensure consistent adjudication of claims for services deemed non-billable or non-reimbursable. These changes are effective March 27, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 26, 2024 - Describes virtual occupational therapy services offered by 2 Veterans Affairs facilities to reach rural veterans. Notes that the program is able to address social determinants of health issues such as home safety evaluations and fall risk assessments. Discusses how the program integrates with other virtual VA services.
Source: VA News
Mar 22, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeking comments on updates to its policy and directive on VA Tribal Consultation. VA has gathered and reviewed tribal input and recommendations from previous requests for comments, tribal consultation meetings, and the VA's Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs and proposes several edits to the Tribal Consultation Policy in response to the tribal recommendations. Comments are due by April 22, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 21, 2024 - Executive Order from the Office of the President to advance and integrate women's health across the Federal research portfolio. Directs agency members of the White House Initiative on Women's Health Research – Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Director of the National Science Foundation – to develop or strengthen research and data standards that enhance the study of women's health across all relevant, federally funded research and other federal funding opportunities and prioritize grantmaking and other awards to advance women's health research. Among other things, this order directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to address research gaps in understanding women's health, diseases, conditions associated with women's midlife and later years and directs the Secretaries of Defense and Veterans Affairs to evaluate the needs and develop recommendations related to the midlife health women service members and veterans.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 21, 2024 - Summarizes recent research investigating a lung screening program for rural veterans that found higher prevalence of lung cancer in veterans when compared to the prevalence found in the National Lung Screening Trial. Researchers found that the screening method used was successful for high-risk populations.
Source: DocWire News
Mar 13, 2024 - Highlights the history of telehealth use by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Describes how access to specialists, behavioral healthcare, and prescription medication in particular has been improved by telehealth. Discusses how rural healthcare access is managed for veterans without reliable internet access.
Source: Cronkite News
Mar 12, 2024 - The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is requesting information to assist in the development of a national standard of practice for VA peer specialists. Outlines the proposed national standard of practice for VA peer specialists, who are Veterans who self-identify with a lived experience of recovery from a mental health condition and have been professionally trained to help other Veterans with similar experiences. Comments are due by May 13, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Mar 5, 2024 - Highlights a peer group program for rural Colorado veterans with chronic pain. The program uses human connection for chronic pain treatment and increasing healthcare access. Discusses recent program expansion and offers success stories.
Source: Veterans Administration
Mar 5, 2024 - Discusses challenges with accessing mental healthcare, particularly in rural areas. Notes workforce shortages and low pay as contributors to limited access. Also discusses challenges for military service members including long wait times for appointments.
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office
Mar 4, 2024 - A rural Montana VA Community Living Center uses telehealth to connect residents with specialty care, allowing rural residents access to timely care. Notes this helps in areas with shortages of specialists and other healthcare workforce.
Source: Veteran's Administration