VA health workers are fully licensed

Question: The last time I visited the VA for a doctor's appointment, someone who was not a doctor saw me. Do people other than doctors treat patients?

Answer: Qualified health-care providers such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners and clinical pharmacists also treat patients. These health-care professionals have received additional medical training and are fully licensed. The VA Medical Center is affiliated with the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. As part of that affiliation, medical students and doctors complete primary care and specialty training work in our VA Ambulatory Care Center.

Q: I already provided financial information on my initial VA application for medical care. Why is it necessary to complete a separate financial assessment for long-term care?

A: Unlike the information collected from the means test, which is based on your previous year's income, the 10-10EC is designed to assess your current financial status, including current expenses. This analysis provides the necessary monthly income/expense information to determine whether you qualify for cost-free care or a significant reduction from the maximum copayment charge. The social worker or case manager involved in your long-term care placement will provide you with an annual projection of your monthly copayment charges if required.

If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran, call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049 or visit the VA Web site at www.va.gov/hawaii 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.

See also: In The Military