Benefits and Services
It can be difficult to navigate the maze of benefits information at Department of Defense (DoD) and VA. Fortunately, case management is an integral part of the Polytrauma System of Care. A clinical case manager will work with Veterans, Servicemembers and their family to help:
- Transition from a military hospital to a VA medical center
- Communicate between Veteran/Servicemember, family, and VA rehabilitation team
- Identify various VA, DoD, and community resources
- Apply for appropriate VA benefits
Early into a Servicemember’s admission to a treatment facility, s/he will meet various points of contact (POCs). Some POCs will focus mostly on clinical (medical) issues. Others will focus on non-clinical services.
Information on services and benefits changes from time to time. It is therefore important to check with the appropriate POCs at the Veterans Benefits Administration periodically for updates. The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) Family Caregiver Giver Course (Module 4)* provides extensive information on how to navigate services and benefits.
Active Duty Military Presence in the VA
Military liaisons are present at each Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center (PRC) and are instrumental in providing a connection to the Servicemember’s military community. They assist with the transition from military health care to the VA health care system and interact with Servicemembers and their families on a regular basis. Liaisons are responsible for ensuring that military orders are in place and that all service-related needs are addressed in a timely manner.
Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Read the Veterans Health Administration's statement about the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on the Affordable Care Act.
*By clicking on this link, you will leave the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site. VA is not responsible for the content of the linked Web site.
