Facing a 30-day plus delay for a V.A. medical appointment? You can now apply to see a private provider

On November 17, 2014 the Veterans Administration began mailing "Veterans Choice" cards to veterans facing extended wait times for treatment at a V.A. facility. Veterans who qualify for the program will be permitted to seek treatment from private medical providers in their community who are V.A.-approved. To qualify for the program, a veteran must be facing a wait time of 30 days or more for his preferred appointment date, or the date his/her physician indicates is medically required. The Choice Program is a three-year, temporary program funded by the 2014 Veterans Access to Care Through Choice, Accountability and Transparency Act.

If you qualify for the program, you must call the Veterans Administration at their dedicated phone number for the Choice enrollment program, 866-606-8198. You will have to choose from a list of V.A.-approved private medical providers in your area and provide the V.A. with information about any other medical insurance you may have, as well as other data. The V.A. will schedule your appointment.For more information, check out the V.A. website here. 

For information on V.A. long-term benefits for elderly and disabled veterans, click here.