Veterans Administration Makes Changes to Urgent Care Provider in Florida
Nov 6, 2020
Tampa, FL (Law Firm Newswire) November 6, 2020 – For many veterans, the benefits provided by the Veterans Administration are crucial. These benefits offer veterans assistance with paying for higher education (GI bill), home loans, insurance, healthcare and assisted living. Given the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for same-day medical care has continued to be a major concern for many veterans.
Recently, the VA announced that it is transitioning to a new urgent care provider. Beginning on September 1, the VA move from TriWest Healthcare Alliance to Optum Public Sector Solutions, Inc., which is part of UnitedHealth Group. While the VA explained that it hopes that veterans’ services will remain uninterrupted, the change will result in many veterans needing to go to a new healthcare provider.
The change will also impact the pharmacies that a veteran can go to when filling a prescription. Veterans who need an urgent care prescription lasting less than 14 days can find an authorized provider or contact the local VA medical facility for help finding a VA network pharmacy to avoid paying out-of-pocket costs for their medication.
The change in services will impact veterans in 24 states and territories, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Veterans’ Healthcare Options
Most veterans are likely accustomed to visiting the VA for all medical needs. However, veterans have the option to obtain urgent care treatment for minor injuries and illnesses such as colds, sore throats and minor skin infections at in-network, non-VA, urgent care providers.
At least during the COVID-19 pandemic, veterans in need of urgent care can use telehealth instead of in-person visits at VA or in-network community clinics. Telehealth consists of phone visits or video visits, rather than in-person visits.
Florida veterans’ benefits attorney, David W. Magann, reminds veterans that it is essential that those veterans who obtain medical services outside the VA system to make sure that they are visiting an in-network provider. VA will only pay for urgent care if the healthcare provider is part of VA’s contracted network. Those veterans who go to an out-of-network provider will end up needing to pay for the full cost of care.
Attorney David Magann is a Florida veterans’ benefits attorney with extensive experience handling the legal issues that many veterans face. As a Marine Corps Veteran, Magann understands the unique issues veterans must confront, and has overcome many of those issues himself. Magann handles social security disability, estate planning, veterans’ law and personal injury law out of his Brandon and Tampa offices.
David W. Magann, P.A.
Main Office:
156 W. Robertson St.
Brandon, FL 33511
Call: (813) 657-9175
Tampa Office:
4012 Gunn Highway #165
Tampa, Florida 33618
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