VA benefits....In service or not you qualify...

[POPO367]

I just found out 2 years after my accident that I qualified for VA benefits because of my spinal cord injury. It does not matter if your injury occured in service or not, a spinal cord injury automatically qualifies you for VA care. In fact as a veteran you qualify for VA care in one way or another. If you are a veteran find out what you qualify for, if you know someone that is a veteran and is having health issues let them know.


I am by no means the smartest man in the world but I have had to fight my insurance company every step of the way to get anything. I am pissed off because no one ever told me about my VA benefits. I recieved treatment at St Jude Hospital, Fullerton, a spinal cord hospital. You would think that as a spinal cord hospital that would have been one of the first questions, "Hi, are you a veteran?, Guess what you qualify for Va benefits, yes, because you automatically qualify because you are a veteran and you have a spinal cord injury." Well guess what no one ever told me, not the social services gal or any of the nurses. I called them the other day and told them that it was unacceptable that they did not bother to pass on that information. Spinal Cord Hospital 101. I also becamse a member of the PVA, which I think any paralized veteran should join, a lot of good information and you get PN magazine for free. The magazine is good but it confused me even more, because all they talk about is service connected injuries. Well in the VA as far as spinal cord injuries go, they are all seen as service connected. You are not treated different.

I went to the VA in Long Beach and the spinal cord center has their own building! Very impressive, completely devoted to you and to spinal cord care, there is a role in clinic that is completely seperate from the main hospital so you don't have to wait. There are PVA reps in the hospital that will help you fill out any paperwork you will need to access your benefits.

KLD if there is anything that I am missing please let me know.

So please pass on the information to anyone else that is fighting the BEAST.

[ac06]

Thanks POPO367. I got injured 15 years out of service, and I was told that I won't qualify for any VA benefits because of that. I figured it kind of made sense so I didn't check into it any further. I'll have to check again.

[POPO367]

Go to the PVA website....
http://www.pva.org/site/PageServer

and find out where your local chapter is located. There should be a person that works for the PVA that will be able to walk you through the process. If they can't help you let me know, the National rep in Long Beach, knows her stuff and I can pass on your information to her.

I like yourself never thought that I would qualify because my injury was not in service, but it is there and you have earned the right to use it.

[Pluto64]

Yes this is true. My VA rep helped me out alot. Talk to you VA rep about the details. They are more than helpful and they helped me in my case.

[SCI-Nurse]

Yes, so many veterans do not know that having a spinal cord injury (or other "catastrophic disability") qualifies them as a Category 4 priority veteran (as long as you had an honorable discharge), which means you are entitled to care at a VA SCI Center for initial rehab and annual evaluations and specialty care, and for routine care through a VA SCI Spoke Support Clinic at your local VA (if that is closer to your home). Every VA hospital is required to have a SCI Coordinator (a social worker) whose job it to help you get into the system and negotiate the VA SCI system of care.

You do NOT need to be "service connected" to get Prosthetics (DME) or other services through the VA, although you may have a small co-payment for inpatient or outpatient care/medications if your income is high.

VA SCI care is a model for spinal cord injury care as it follows you from "injury to grave" and provides specialty SCI care in a comprehensive coordinated fashion, with attention to maintaining wellness and maximizing function.

It is sad how many social workers and discharge planners at major and small hospitals do not know about VA SCI Care and often mislead veterans about their eligibility (or lack there of).

When in doubt, ALWAYS contact your PVA National Service Officer (NSO) (http://www.pva.org/site/PageServer?pagename=benefits_nsos) to help you with eligibility applications and advocacy for you. You will do much better dealing with them than with VA employees in the Member Services/Eligibility office, as they are not always very familiar with criteria for Category 4 eligibility. PVA (http://www.pva.org) membership is free for eligible veterans.

Here is a little more information about the VA SCI System of Care:

http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/spinalcfs.asp#VA_SCI_Fact_sheet_VA_SCI_Centers_and _Information (http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/spinalcfs.asp#VA_SCI_Fact_sheet_VA_SCI_Centers_and _Information)

We will soon have a Veteran's forum here and a former PVA NSO will be one of the moderators.

(KLD)

[Mona~on~wheels]

We will soon have a Veteran's forum here and a former PVA NSO will be one of the moderators.

(KLD)

Wow that'll be great KLD!

Thanks for the info & telling everyone POP.

[NorthQuad]

Geeze, I bet you could've used these benefits a hundred times by now. That would be a hard one to take when finding out.

[quadvet]

This should be a sticky so maybe KLD won't have to keep repeating it. A separate forum should prove to be interesting.

[skippy13]

I've been out for thirty five years and only found out I qualified for service connected disability this year. Would have been nice to know earlier, but I'll take it. Now in priority group one and getting all medical taken care of. I'm glad the VA is there.

Amy

[RAFS]

Yes, so many veterans do not know that having a spinal cord injury (or other "catastrophic disability") qualifies them as a Category 4 priority veteran (as long as you had an honorable discharge), which means you are entitled to care at a VA SCI Center for initial rehab and annual evaluations and specialty care, and for routine care through a VA SCI Spoke Support Clinic at your local VA (if that is closer to your home). Every VA hospital is required to have a SCI Coordinator (a social worker) whose job it to help you get into the system and negotiate the VA SCI system of care.

You do NOT need to be "service connected" to get Prosthetics (DME) or other services through the VA, although you may have a small co-payment for inpatient or outpatient care/medications if your income is high.

VA SCI care is a model for spinal cord injury care as it follows you from "injury to grave" and provides specialty SCI care in a comprehensive coordinated fashion, with attention to maintaining wellness and maximizing function.

It is sad how many social workers and discharge planners at major and small hospitals do not know about VA SCI Care and often mislead veterans about their eligibility (or lack there of).

When in doubt, ALWAYS contact your PVA National Service Officer (NSO) (http://www.pva.org/site/PageServer?pagename=benefits_nsos) to help you with eligibility applications and advocacy for you. You will do much better dealing with them than with VA employees in the Member Services/Eligibility office, as they are not always very familiar with criteria for Category 4 eligibility. PVA (http://www.pva.org) membership is free for eligible veterans.

Here is a little more information about the VA SCI System of Care:

http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/spinalcfs.asp#VA_SCI_Fact_sheet_VA_SCI_Centers_and _Information (http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/spinalcfs.asp#VA_SCI_Fact_sheet_VA_SCI_Centers_and _Information)

We will soon have a Veteran's forum here and a former PVA NSO will be one of the moderators.

(KLD)
Thanks KLD. That will be great that the moderator of the Veterans forum will be a former PVA NSO as he/she will have extensive knowledge of the VA rules & regulations. Looking forward to it starting.

[POPO367]

I think a seperate thread would actually be very beneficial for everyone......thanks for everyone's response. We have to look out for each other, I am going back to the two hospitals that I was at and speaking to the social workers. They really dropped the ball on this one and I will not let them screw over another vet.

[skippy13]

I think a seperate thread would actually be very beneficial for everyone......thanks for everyone's response. We have to look out for each other, I am going back to the two hospitals that I was at and speaking to the social workers. They really dropped the ball on this one and I will not let them screw over another vet.

Now why would a hospital want to cut themselves out of the money loop when most of them collect thousands and thousands of insurance dollars for treating you/us?

I am obviously very cynical about their motivations, but if its just a matter of ignorance, then they should be educated that an option exists for the SCI patient and inquire about the veteran status of all patients.

[Herco16]

I've been fortunate to be in the VA system for 3 1/2 years now. BY FAR, it is the best system around!!

Dave

[RAFS]

I've been fortunate to be in the VA system for 3 1/2 years now. BY FAR, it is the best system around!!

Dave
I share the same sentiment as Herco16. Couldn't have said it better myself. I've been in the VA system for over 20 yrs. Got tired of all the doctors bills dealing with private physicians on the outside. I've even had surgery at the VA & wouln't hesitate to do it again. I find the medical personnel to be very compassionate & helpful in a lot of ways.

[POPO367]

Hello everyone I haven't been on the CC for awhile just wanted to repost this thread to make sure that any new CC veteran members know about their benefits. Remember if you are a veteran and you have a SCI, MS, ALS, Lupus, Myelitis, or any number of other conditions that will make you eligible to receive treatment under Catergory 4.........doesn't matter if you are service connected or not......contact your local PVA office for advice.

[Nirvana]

The VA spinal cord care is great and mostly hassle-free. It's up to us VETS to spread the word and ask any newly injured if they are VETS. Currently, Cat 4 VETS have no co-pays. Let's hope that our care can sustain the next round of budget cuts.

[ButterflyMom]

That is such unbelievably good news. When I had my accident the hospital/rehab looked into the VA for me because I am a veteran, but where ever they were looking, they were told I don't qualify because my injury in not service related. I had looked at the PVA website and sent them an e-mail and was told by them also that I don't qualify.
I am blessed: right now I have good medical coverage through my husband but it
was really disappointing to be made to feel like my time in the service counted for
nothing. And I wont always have this coverage: my husband and I are seperated.
I will have to look into this further.

You Veterans who served in combat have my utmost admiration. I never saw
combat, but I thank God for your sacrifice and dedication and Honor, Thank You.

[SCI-Nurse]

ButterflyMom, how long were you in the military on active duty? Did you have an honorable discharge? Unless you were only in the reserves and had no or little active duty time, or had an other-than-honorable discharge, you should qualify for VA care. Your closest VA SCI Center is at the VA in Seattle.

Here is the VA website about the SCI System of Care:
http://www.sci.va.gov/index.asp

I would also recommend that you contact your local PVA National Service Officer (NSO) to apply for benefits:
Henry Jackson Federal Building (71)
915 Second Ave., Rm 1054
Seattle, WA 98174
206-220-6149/6175/6176
(KLD)

[ButterflyMom]

Thank you KLD, I was in the Air Force for four and ahalf years, active duty, honorable discharge. I enlisted right after Grenaida and discharged right before Desert Storm. This time period is about the only time in our military history were there were no actions/involvements by our military and that has disqualified me from the American Legion, VFW, GI Bill, and a few other things. (Its been awhile since I did the research.)

But Thank you for the Information, I will definately look into it.

[SCI-Nurse]

You are still eligible to belong to the PVA (Paralyzed Veterans of America) or the the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) even if you did not have war-time service. PVA is the specific organization for Veterans with SCI/D. War-time service is NOT required for VA medical elibility, and you should be rated Priority Category 4 if you have a SCI.

(KLD)

[Donno]

A recent bill has removed the requirement for cat 4 veterans to make co-payments for Doctor visits and Prescriptions.

[Herco16]

A recent bill has removed the requirement for cat 4 veterans to make co-payments for Doctor visits and Prescriptions.

Wow. I was wondering why I haven't received a bill lately. I was going to square it up in December- at my next appt.

[POPO367]

Butterfly, I recently was hired as the PVA, National Service Officer at the Long Beach, VA. My boss is based at the Seatle PVA office but will be with me all this week training me. Give us a call anytime this week. Based on the information you posted you absolutely qualify for VA care. Eventhough you already have insurance it won't hurt to have double coverage. I have been nothing but impressed with the care I have received at the VA.

Anytime you are ever around other SCI patients please ask if any are vets and if they are receiving benefits, you will be surprised on how many vets have fallen through the cracks and don't know about their benefits, I was one of them. Tomorrow a vet I found on FB, 25 years post injury is having his first VA annual physical.

Give us a call......Enrique or Michael
562-826-5713
800-497-0565


http://www.pva.org/site/c.ajIRK9NJLcJ2E/b.6305541/k.53E8/Membership_Eligibility.htm

[ButterflyMom]

That's awesome, thanx POP0367, will do
Rebecca

[Herco16]

I have been nothing but impressed with the care I have received at the VA.



Ditto!

[Donno]

Ditto!

Me too, absolutely!

[pattherat]

Great post POPO367! Congrats on the new job. I've been an outpatient at the Long Beach VA for over 20 years now, never needed anything major but the care I have received so far has been top notch. If I ever need the PVAs help I'll be knocking on your door.

[LindaT]

After a few phone calls I spoke to a kind woman at the nearest VA who is going to try to help us reach someone with more information.
She said there is a spinal clinic in Minneapolis that is "wonderful."
She was not sure of the details with the business office since my husband gets Medicare and is on a waiver program.
At least I have a name and extention number.

[SCI-Nurse]

Linda, Getting VA benefits in no way interferes with your ability to continue to use Medicare benefits, nor to use waiver attendant services if you qualify. The VA cannot bill Medicare, and your husband should be rated Category 4, so no copay either (as above).

Did you ask specifically for the local VA's SCI Coordinator (social worker)? I sent you their phone number for direct contact. The SCI clinic at your local VA should be taking care of these issues for you. They are considered a "spoke" clinic for your "hub" SCI Center, which is at Minneapolis. This is one of the newest of the VA SCI centers and I consider them to be an excellent program as well.

(KLD)

[LindaT]

Yes, I used the information you sent me. They were out, but the woman I spoke with worked with them and was going to speak with them and they will get back to me.
I'll wait a day or two before I call her back.
She explained what the spinal clinic in Mpls is like and what a good doc is there.
I was concerned about finding a hotel for him as so hard with the hoyer etc and she explained that they have accommodations.
Thanks so much again.

[airart1]

yeah, they should have what's called a hoptell, if its outpatient, the Memphis sci has them, i assume they all do, just used them for my annual last week, nice accommodations and free, clean and safe......have hoyer lift, shower chair and hospital bed with king size bed also for caregiver, wife, husband etc.....you do have to bring your own sling, i bring my bench, i don't care much for the chair thing......of course roll-in showers.....also at cat 4, they now pay you for travel pay.....which they didn't before unless service connected....

[skippy13]

Linda don't give up on trying to get hold of the SCI coordinator at MPLS VAMC. You and your husband could benefit greatly from the program.

I have had issues with some VA personnel who really aren't aware of the category four option. I guess it just doesn't come up very often for them. Some are jsut not educated about their own programs as you would think they should be, but once you get hold of the right people, they can really make things happen fopr you and Dave. Itis mainly about getting to the right people. Not everyone at the VA has all the right knowledge.

I wish you the best in your pursuit of the benefit of VA experience. It can be a life saver for you both.

Minnesota is lucky to have County Veteran Service Officers. They are employed by the county and therefore have a certain amount of accountability. I urge you to contact one in your local phone book listed under County Government or County Services. They also know the ropes and can maybe even find you money for aides and pension funds. Not all pension/disability is necessarily tied to service connection or income or assets. Certain allowances are made for catastrophic injuries and there might be welcome funds available to help you and Dave.

There are social workers in the VAMC that can help you with day to day stuff when you get into the programs. You may be able to get into the caregivers plan that actually pays you to take care of Dave, but I think his service dates preclude that. It is primarily for those (at this time) who served after 9/11 sorry to say.

[SCI-Nurse]

yeah, they should have what's called a hoptell, if its outpatient, the Memphis sci has them, i assume they all do.

No, not all VAs have a Hoptel, nor do all SCI units. Some do lodging on the SCI unit, while others admit all SCI patients from out of town, even for annuals. A few now have Fisher Houses on-site as well. Check with the individual SCI Center on what their lodging arrangements are.

You may be able to get into the caregivers plan that actually pays you to take care of Dave, but I think his service dates preclude that. It is primarily for those (at this time) who served after 9/11 sorry to say.

The Bowel & Bladder (dependent) program is available to NSC and SC veterans of all eras, and in many centers, this allows the veteran to pay a family member to do bowel and bladder care, or may provide a PCA or allow you to hire a PCA under this program. The SCI Coordinator at your home VA should be able to help with these resources. It is a separate program from the OEF/OIF family caregiver program.

(KLD)

[LindaT]

Thanks everyone!
A woman from the closest VA called me back today and emailed me a form to start the process. She felt my husband would have no problem being classified as a Cat 4.

[airart1]

never been to any other regional sci clinic, i assumed the sci centers had hoptels......murfreesboro doesnt, don't know about nashville, but nashville isn't a main hub for spinal cord injuries.....

[lonecoaster]

Thanks everyone!
A woman from the closest VA called me back today and emailed me a form to start the process. She felt my husband would have no problem being classified as a Cat 4. Good news Linda.

[POPO367]

Linda,
Make sure you contact the PVA (Paralyzed Veterans of America) there in Minn. The NSO's in the spinal cord center (HUB) work directly with the SCI Coordinators to help you get into the VA quicker and smoothly. Call them and pick their brains.

PVA Chapter

Minnesota Chapter

1 Veterans Drive, SCI - 238
Minneapolis, MN 55417-2309
Phone: 612-467-2263
Fax: 612-726-9472
Toll-Free: 800-663-6782
Email: mnpva@qwestoffice.net (mnpva@qwestoffice.net)
URL: http://www.mnpva.org/ (http://www.mnpva.org/)


PVA National Service Office

Bishop Henry Whipple Fed. Bldg.

1 Federal Dr., Room 194B
St. Paul, MN 55111-4042
612-970-5668
PVA SCI Service Office

VA Medical Center

1 Veterans Drive, Bldg. 26, Room 141
Minneapolis, MN 55417
612-629-7022

[Oldtimer]

The Bowel & Bladder (dependent) program is available to NSC and SC veterans of all eras, and in many centers, this allows the veteran to pay a family member to do bowel and bladder care, or may provide a PCA or allow you to hire a PCA under this program. The SCI Coordinator at your home VA should be able to help with these resources. It is a separate program from the OEF/OIF family caregiver program.

(KLD)

KLD, please elabrate more on the Bowel & Bladder program that allows the veteran to pay a family member, and or for other cares. I talked to my VSO and he says the only financial help available to me is my current A&A which is and has been locked in at $170. monthly for as long as I can remember. PM me or I can give you my personal address (for mailing forms) or answer in this forum. What are the OEF/OIF family caregiver programs? Thanks!

[LindaT]

Linda,
Make sure you contact the PVA (Paralyzed Veterans of America) there in Minn. The NSO's in the spinal cord center (HUB) work directly with the SCI Coordinators to help you get into the VA quicker and smoothly. Call them and pick their brains.

PVA Chapter

Minnesota Chapter

1 Veterans Drive, SCI - 238
Minneapolis, MN 55417-2309
Phone: 612-467-2263
Fax: 612-726-9472
Toll-Free: 800-663-6782
Email: mnpva@qwestoffice.net (mnpva@qwestoffice.net)
URL: http://www.mnpva.org/ (http://www.mnpva.org/)


PVA National Service Office

Bishop Henry Whipple Fed. Bldg.

1 Federal Dr., Room 194B
St. Paul, MN 55111-4042
612-970-5668
PVA SCI Service Office

VA Medical Center

1 Veterans Drive, Bldg. 26, Room 141
Minneapolis, MN 55417
612-629-7022

Thanks so much. I called them a few days ago and they are sending an application and information.

[cheesecake]

Linda: I am glad that you and Dave are finally getting the help you deserve and are entitled to.

[skippy13]

KLD, please elabrate more on the Bowel & Bladder program that allows the veteran to pay a family member, and or for other cares. I talked to my VSO and he says the only financial help available to me is my current A&A which is and has been locked in at $170. monthly for as long as I can remember. PM me or I can give you my personal address (for mailing forms) or answer in this forum. What are the OEF/OIF family caregiver programs? Thanks!

I'm not KLD, but here is the VA website that can help you get started inquiring into benefits for the family caregiver benefit. I know nothing specifically of the B&B program, sorry.

www.caregiver.va.gov/ (http://www.caregiver.va.gov/)

[SCI-Nurse]

VA Fee-Basis Bowel and Bladder Care Program information (http://www.inspire.com/groups/als-advocacy/discussion/fee-basis-bowel-and-bladder-care-for-spinal-cord-injured-veterans/)
Veterans Fee-basis Bowel and Bladder Care for Spinal Cord Injured Veterans

In certain circumstances the VA Fee-basis office will pay for a limited amount of bowel and bladder care for spinal cord injured (SCI) veterans in the home setting. Payment for bowel and bladder care is not dependent on service connection or receipt of a VA pension. Any veteran receiving medical care from a VA physician is eligible if he meets the medical requirements as determined by the physician. This is not the case for other types of Fee-basis care ; this article only addresses Fee-basis bowel and bladder care.

Fee-basis home health services are defined as supportive medical services requiring skilled treatment as performed by professional health care providers and technicians, and prescribed by and under the direction of a VA staff physician or VA contract physician. For the purpose of Fee-basis, the basic care procedures of catheter irrigation, colostomy bag changes, and external catheter changes, are defined as medical services. Due to the nature of the physical limitations and special needs of many spinal cord injured patients, bathing may also be provided as a fee-basis home health service when provided in conjunction with bowel and bladder care.

Quadriplegics receiving VA medical care are specifically eligible for bowel and bladder care by definition, and other veterans with spinal cord injuries are eligible when a VA physician determines that the veteran is unable to take care of his own bowel and bladder care, and depends on assistance from others. The regulations specifically state that in no instance will a veteran who can perform these functions unassisted be provided Fee-basis care. Receipt of a VA compensation or pension award for Aid and Attendance (A&A), or a higher level of A&A does not disqualify a veteran from receiving bowel and bladder care through the Fee-basis program.

To be covered under the Fee-basis bowel and bladder program, care must be provided by a licensed or registered health care provider, or a trained paraprofessional working under the direction and supervision of a licensed health care provider. A family member may receive reimbursement for providing bowel and bladder care once they have been trained and certified by a Spinal Cord Injury Center as being competent to provide the care.

Fee-basis payments are made directly to the provider. Reimbursement will be limited to a specific number of hours, not to exceed the hourly rate paid to nursing assistants employed by the VA. Contact the SCI Coordinator for current rate. For VA pensioners , it is important to note that payments for Fee-basis bowel and bladder care from the VA do not count as family income for pension purposes. You should monitor your pension awards closely to ensure it is not counted as income for your spouse. Fee-basis payments may be made retroactively on a case by case basis. In general, most VA retroactive payments are limited to the latter of the date all medical requirements were met, or the date one year prior to the date of application.

Fee-basis authorization will not be considered a permanent status for any veteran, regardless of the permanent status of the disability. There will be active, continuing participation by VA administrative and clinic managers and by other staff working in the fee-basis program to ensure compliance with all policies. Every Fee-basis authorization will be reviewed on an annual basis.

Applications for Fee-basis bowel and bladder care are made through the local VA SCI Coordinator, who will assist you by submitting a consult, and coordinating with your primary care physician and Fee-basis. When authorized care will be provided by a family member, they will be set up with an appointment for certification. In cases where care will not be provided by a family member, a referral for VA assistance in arranging for health care providers will be made

If you have any questions, please contact the your nearest PVA Service Office.
(KLD)

[Oldtimer]

Thank you Skippy and thank you KLD! I will be looking into this.

[LindaT]

An update: Dave has an appointment at the local VA next week!

One of the nurses that had been covering for the social worker has been really helpful and now the social worker is back from leave. They have all told me the SCI doc here is great and then Dave would probably be referred to the SCI clinic in Mpls where they do an entire evaluation.
Of course this brings more questions because we like our family doc so much and do not want to change or have this affect the nursing home waiver program we are on which pays aides and myself.
It looks like we have more income, but we pay $1,700 back to the state each month as a spenddown. I've got to quit worrying about everything!
They said as a quad he qualifies.
What I am most looking forward to is getting him positioned in his chair properly by a professional. There are not many people in our area (I have heard of one young girl)
with a injury level as high as his.
The recent dx of diabetes and learning everything to do with that has my head spinning.
Thanks everyone!!! I would never have known about this program without a few people here who were so helpful.

[rdf]

Great news for you and Dave, Linda. Maybe this year will be a better one :high5:An update: Dave has an appointment at the local VA next week!

One of the nurses that had been covering for the social worker has been really helpful and now the social worker is back from leave. They have all told me the SCI doc here is great and then Dave would probably be referred to the SCI clinic in Mpls where they do an entire evaluation.
Of course this brings more questions because we like our family doc so much and do not want to change or have this affect the nursing home waiver program we are on which pays aides and myself.
It looks like we have more income, but we pay $1,700 back to the state each month as a spenddown. I've got to quit worrying about everything!
They said as a quad he qualifies.
What I am most looking forward to is getting him positioned in his chair properly by a professional. There are not many people in our area (I have heard of one young girl)
with a injury level as high as his.
The recent dx of diabetes and learning everything to do with that has my head spinning.
Thanks everyone!!! I would never have bean this with out a few people here who were so helpful.

[skippy13]

An update: Dave has an appointment at the local VA next week!

One of the nurses that had been covering for the social worker has been really helpful and now the social worker is back from leave. They have all told me the SCI doc here is great and then Dave would probably be referred to the SCI clinic in Mpls where they do an entire evaluation.
Of course this brings more questions because we like our family doc so much and do not want to change or have this affect the nursing home waiver program we are on which pays aides and myself.
It looks like we have more income, but we pay $1,700 back to the state each month as a spenddown. I've got to quit worrying about everything!
They said as a quad he qualifies.
What I am most looking forward to is getting him positioned in his chair properly by a professional. There are not many people in our area (I have heard of one young girl)
with a injury level as high as his.
The recent dx of diabetes and learning everything to do with that has my head spinning.
Thanks everyone!!! I would never have known about this program without a few people here who were so helpful.


You don't have to change a thing as far as your family doc goes. In addition to the care the VA provides me, I have my medicare advantage program. The eligibility for VA care does not affect any care he now gets that you are happy with. VA services are not considered income.

Be sure to ask about Travel Pay if you have to go to MPLS VA. As far as I know, if the VA orders you to appear or gives you an appointment to go to a specific VA for an exam or treatment, they will give you travel pay. At 41.5 cents a mile (minus a 3.00 each way deduction), it can add up for a four hundred mile round trip. I know that they give travel pay to individuals who are not service connected if they are appearing for a compensation and pension exam, so I don't know why they wouldn't for you. It don't hurt to ask. There are rules also for special transportation requirements. It can be complicated, so don't give up.

[airart1]

cat 4 will give you travel pay now, i know, i couldn't get it as a catagory 5........

[SCI-Nurse]

cat 4 will give you travel pay now, i know, i couldn't get it as a catagory 5........

Why are you Category 5? Don't you have a SCI...bowel & bladder involvement, paralysis?

(KLD)

[Oldtimer]

KLD, In the above article on fee-basis payments, it states "payments are made directly to the provider", "a family member can receive reimbursement" and "you should monitor your pension awards awards closely to insure it is not counted as income for your spouse."

My question is, is there a specific form that needs to be filled out stating that this is not counted as income. We (wife & I) were told by the VA SCI case manager that this is taxable income and needs to be declared.

[SCI-Nurse]

Oldtimer, I am certainly not the expert on this. I would defer your question to your PVA NSO. They ARE the experts and can help you with any of the required paperwork.

(KLD)

[Oldtimer]

Thank you KLD, I will do just that!

[skippy13]

You can also ask the question on IRIS. Call the MN VARO for information too.

[airart1]

that's just what they categorized me at first with....they just changed it the first of 2011, i don't remember why they said they changed it, new guidelines or what, i got the letter filed, but year before last they had me cat 5 and then sent me a letter the first of 2011 and said i was cat 4.....which is great, no co-pays and such..........

[LindaT]

My husband had his first appointment at the VA on Friday and they could not have been any nicer to us. The team and doctor were casual and knew their stuff.
It was great he got ALL of his skin looked over and people that actually knew about SCI.
We now have a resource if he has skin issues.
He is being referred to the hub in Minneapolis where he will be pressure mapped and the OT had some suggestions on improvements on his chair.
They nearly embarrassed me with praise.
Thanks everyone!

[SCI-Nurse]

I am so glad that you both sought the services to which he is entitled through the VA as a Veteran who has served our country. I continue to find Veterans out there who don't know what the VA has to offer for those with SCI, and still have old ideas about what the VA is about. Your husband is lucky that you pursued this.

(KLD)

[SCI_OTR]

My husband had his first appointment at the VA on Friday and they could not have been any nicer to us. The team and doctor were casual and knew their stuff.
It was great he got ALL of his skin looked over and people that actually knew about SCI.
We now have a resource if he has skin issues.
He is being referred to the hub in Minneapolis where he will be pressure mapped and the OT had some suggestions on improvements on his chair.
They nearly embarrassed me with praise.
Thanks everyone!
Fantastic!

Don't forget we have telemedicine to link us all together and I serve on the National SCI Telehealth Steering Comittee with their SCI Coordinator. If the therapist would like any assistance with your husband's chair, they know where to find me.