For Your Benefit
For and about Hawaii's military

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See also: In The Military

Emergency health care
available at non-VA clinics

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Question: What happens if I need emergency health care and the Veterans Affairs facility is closed?

Answer: Emergency services are available at Tripler Army Medical Center through a sharing agreement with the Honolulu Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center. When traveling outside Honolulu, you may receive emergency services at any VA health care facility in the United States. If there is no VA medical facility (including medical facilities VA contracts for services) in the area where you are traveling or reside, seek emergency medical care from the closest non-VA medical facility. However, keep in mind that you may be fully responsible for payment of those services if you do not meet eligibility requirements for emergency care in non-VA facilities. Basically the VA may provide payment for these services if you are having a medical emergency, are enrolled and being followed by a VA provider, have no other health insurance (including Medicare), and there are no VA facilities nearby.

Also, remember that the VA must be notified within 48 hours of care. If you fail to notify within that time frame, it could result in denial of claim for VA payment or reduction in amount authorized for payment by VA. The VAMROC Honolulu Web site at www.va.gov/hawaii provides additional information.

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If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran,
call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049
or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.

Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin,
can be reached by phone at 294-4075
or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com.