Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 09/03/2007

Dear SSgt Shaft,
I am a former Viet Nam Veteran Marine Corps Sgt, and a retired Government Worker. I am also a 90% Service Related Disabled Veteran. My question to you is; where and how can I receive Dental Care? The Veterans Administration Hospital that I utilize states that unless I am a 100% Disabled Veteran, I can not receive full Dental Care at this facility. I have a Heart Condition know as Mitral Valve Prolapse, and I am highly susceptible to infection caused by dental decay getting into the blood stream and attaching it self to the valves in my heart. Whenever I do have dental work performed I am required to take large amount of Penicillin or Amoxicillin before and after all dental procedures. Please advise me and I have also heard that other VA hospitals not only provide dental care for disabled veterans as me, but also for their spouses.

Respectfully,
Steven. B
Greencastle Pennsylvania

Dear Steve,
Current VA eligibility laws require you to be 100% Service Connected to be eligible for dental care. An exemption is made in that if you are found to be unemployable by the VA, you would only need to be greater than 50% Service Connected for dental care. If you believe you may qualify for the unemployable benefit and would like to speak with someone you may contact the eligibility clerk at your local Medical Center for more information about that benefit.

For your information, a change occurred in the most recent American Heart Association guidelines published in June 2007. The good news is that they no longer recommend antibiotics prior to dental care for patients with mitral valve prolapse.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Shaft Notes

The National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) will hold its 61st Annual Conference in Annapolis, Maryland, September 15-20, 2007. The Historic Inns of Annapolis is the setting with a theme of “Honoring America’s Veterans, Since the Revolution”.

The conference will commence on Monday, September 17, 2007 with a report on NASDVA testimony given by NASDVA members since the Mid Winter Conference in February. Presenters include Charlie Smith (NC), National Association of State Veterans Home’s 55th Annual National Summer Conference; Dr. Linda Schwartz (CT), Commission on Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors; Jim Willis (OR), National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo; George Webb (KS), House Committee on Veterans Affairs – Veterans Cemeteries; George Basher (NY), Joint hearing of the House and Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and Terry Schow (UT), Interagency Task Force on Returning Global War on Terror Heroes.

NASDVA recognizes the great worth and merit of all existing congressionally chartered veterans organizations, and asserts a willingness and determination to cooperate with such organizations. Tuesday morning, September 18th is the Veteran Service Organization National Commanders Report. The VSO’s will be followed by a series of presentation by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Confirmed speakers include the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary,

NASDVA is an organization consisting of the top veteran’s affairs official in each state and territory. The purposes of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs are to foster the effective representation of persons claiming entitlements on account of the honorable military service of any person as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101; to provide a medium for the exchange of ideas and information; to facilitate reciprocal State Services; to secure uniformity, equality, efficiency and effectiveness in providing services to veterans and their family members in all the States and Territories; and to maintain an interest in all veterans legislation.

For additional information contact:
Contact: Floyd E. Vasquez
Public Information Officer
NM Department of Veterans services
505-841-5562

Health Net Federal Services, LLC (Health Net), the government operations division of Health Net, Inc. (NYSE:HNT), recently announced the launch of its Warrior Care Support Program to directly connect severely injured or ill Warriors and their families or care support members to a single point of contact for total health care support once the Military Treatment Facility (MTF) system has determined care for a Warrior will be best delivered within the civilian health care sector.

“The Warrior Care Support Program is designed to leave the navigation of health care services to the Health Net Care Coordination Team and allow Warriors and their families to focus their time and energy on healing and recovery,” said Steve Tough, president, Health Net Federal Services.

Through this specialized health care service, Health Net will ensure that physical and behavioral health care services, including social services, are accessible to Warriors and are provided in a timely, coordinated fashion. Each Warrior will be assigned a Health Care Coordinator, who will assist in a seamless transition throughout the various stages of health care services and military status changes.

Following a Warrior’s transfer of care, the Health Care Coordinator will serve as the Warrior’s single point of contact, personally providing guidance through the civilian care continuum to facilitate best-in-quality health care and to improve the Warrior’s quality of life. The coordinator will work with MTF and VA physicians, physical therapists and other health care providers to coordinate care; empower Warriors with knowledge about their health care choices as they make decisions about their care; and assist with claims, resolutions and authorizations for civilian durable medical equipment and care.

Health Net’s Care Coordination Team includes handpicked professionals with experience in utilization management, transitional care, case management, social services and behavioral health services. In addition, a team of Health Net physicians will work closely with Health Net care coordinators to provide support and counsel.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-257-5446 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

BAVF Home | Who We Are | Sgt. Shaft | Flag Week | Links | Financials | Search | Contact BAVF

BAVF - P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900

Copyright BAVF 2007