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Author: Home Helpers Home Care

Veterans are a special breed of people. They have courageously served our country here and abroad in ways the majority of us will never fully understand.

I feel honored and privileged that Home Helpers has been able to provide home health care services to veterans in Pinellas and Pasco Counties since 2017, to give back to our nation’s heroes who reside throughout our area communities.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) developed two programs to serve veterans: Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (VACCN), and VA Aid and Attendance.

In this week’s blog, I explain more about the VACCN program and how it benefits veterans and their families.

The VACCN program provides eligible veterans with access to healthcare services outside of traditional VA medical facilities. VACCN allows veterans to receive care from authorized community providers when VA facilities cannot provide necessary, timely healthcare services or when it’s more convenient for the veteran.

The following outlines more about the VACCN program.

Eligibility. Veterans may be eligible for VACCN community carebased on factors: distance from VA facilities, wait times for medical appointments, medical needs, and availability of VA services.

Referral Process. To receive a referral to see a community provider, an assessment of the veteran’s healthcare needs by their VA provider is performed to determine if community care is necessary.

Authorization. Once a referral is made, the VA authorizes the veteran to receive care from a community provider. The VA authorization ensures that the veteran’s healthcare expenses are covered by the VA.

Healthcare Services. Community care services span a wide range of healthcare needs, including diagnostic testing, home health care, hospice care, mental health services, preventative care, primary care, skilled nursing care, and specialty care.

Community Providers. The VA partners with a network of community providers to deliver services to eligible veterans. To be a VA-approved provider, they must meet certain standards and qualifications established by the VA to ensure the quality of care. Veterans are free to choose a home care provider, as long as the in-home care agency is credentialed.

Billing and Payment. The VA is responsible for paying community providers for services rendered to eligible veterans. Billing and payment processes are managed by the VA, and veterans typically do not have to pay out-of-pocket expenses for authorized community care services.

Coordination of Care. The VA emphasizes coordination of care between VA facilities and community providers to ensure seamless delivery of healthcare services. This may include sharing medical records, communicating treatment plans, and collaborating on patient care.

Patient Experience. The goal of VACCN is to improve the overall patient experience for veterans by providing them with greater choice, flexibility, and access to healthcare services that meet their needs.

Enrollment. Enrolling the VACCN program involves several steps discussed above. It is important to note that the enrollment process and specific procedures may vary depending on individual circumstances and VA healthcare facilities. Veterans should consult with their healthcare provider or the VACCN staff for personalized guidance and assistance with enrollment.

Home Helpers® is a VA-approved home care agency that successfully provides in-home care services in West Pasco and Pinellas Counties. Our goal is to be family when family can’t be there, so the home care services we provide will always be personalized to meet the veteran’s needs and designed to help veterans and spouses maintain their independence, avoid isolation, and stay safe and comfortable at home.

Our care services include but are not limited to companionship, meal planning and preparation, medication reminders, personal care, respite care, specialized care, and transportation assistance. In addition, caregiving support services can be provided anywhere the veteran calls home: hospitals, rehabilitation centers, retirement communities, assisted living, and skilled nursing facilities.

If you have any questions about the VACCN program, I am happy to share information and resources during a FREE Consultation at your convenience. At that time, I can assess specific needs, create a custom care plan, and find the perfect professional caregiver to deliver VA-approved caregiving services to make life easier for you or a Veteran you love. 727.942.2539.

We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have been ranked among the Home Care Pulse Top 100 Leaders in Experience for home care providersand to have receivedthese awards in 2024: Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience, as well as being named a Caring.com 2023 Caring Super Star.

We proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Holiday, Hudson, Largo, New Port Richey, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Port Richey, Safety Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Seminole, Tarpon Springs, Trinity, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier® 727.942.2539