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Author: Debbie Humphrey

Senior Care in Clearwater, FL and Surrounding Areas

Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11^th each year to recognize and salute surviving veterans who deserve our utmost respect and support with as many resources as possible in Pasco and Pinellas Counties to help make their lives easier. After all, their service and sacrifice have made our lives easier by protecting our nation, democracy, and freedom.

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.

Veterans Affairs Community Care Network

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 several 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 in 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.

VA Aid and Attendance Benefits

VA Aid and Attendance benefits help cover the cost of home health, assisted living, and skilled nursing care for eligible veterans and their spouses.

To qualify for Aid and Attendance, veterans must meet certain service, income, and medical requirements, including demonstrating a need for assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility.

Aid and Attendance is designed to supplement other VA pensions or benefits that veterans may receive.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a veteran who served at least 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during wartime.
• Must have a medical condition that requires the aid of another person for activities of daily living or be homebound due to disability.
• Income and asset limitations apply.

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

• ADLs include tasks such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring (moving from bed to chair, etc.)

Housebound Criteria

• To qualify as housebound, the individual must have a disability that prevents them from leaving their home without assistance.

Financial Criteria

• Income and asset limitations are determined by the VA.
• The benefit amount varies based on the applicant's income and assets.

Application Process

• Applicants must complete and submit VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance) along with supporting documentation.
• The application process can be complex, so it’s often beneficial to seek assistance from a Veterans Service Officer or another accredited representative.

Medical Evaluation

• The VA may require a medical examination to determine the extent of the applicant’s disabilities and need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

Benefit Amount

• The Aid and Attendance benefit is paid in addition to the VA pension.
• The amount varies depending on the applicant’s marital status, level of need, and other factors.

Use of Funds

• The funds can be used to pay for home care services, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, or other medical expenses.

Renewal Process

• Recipients must undergo periodic reassessments to continue receiving the benefit.

Appeals Process

• If an application is denied or if the benefit amount is less than expected, applicants have the right to appeal the decision.

Tax Implications

• Aid and Attendance benefits are considered tax-free income.

The VACCN program focuses on providing access to healthcare services, including home care. VA Aid and Attendance provides financial assistance for eligible veterans and surviving spouses who need help with activities of daily living in their homes or long-term care facilities in West Pasco and Pinellas counties. Some veterans may be eligible for both programs and can use them both to meet their healthcare and financial needs.

Your local Veterans Service Officers are located in both Pasco and Pinellas counties:

Pinellas County - Clearwater

2189 Cleveland St., Suite 263

Clearwater, FL 33765

727-464-8460

727-464-4388 (TDD)

Mon-Fri, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

(Call for an appointment)

Pinellas County – St. Petersburg

501 First Avenue North, Suite 514

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

727-582-7828

Mon-Fri, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

(Call for an appointment)

Pasco County – Port Richey

8620 Galen Wilson Blvd.

Port Richey, FL 34668

727-834-3282

Mon-Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Home Helpers® is a VA-approved home care agency that successfully provides in-home care services in West Pasco and Pinellas Counties and helps guide veterans and their families through the Aid & Attendance benefits process.

The goal of my care team 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, in 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.

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