FLvetwife

We have had luck taking law information to a veteran's rep or patient advocate to help process the necessary paper work. This law should cover your treatment needs. H.R.1527 http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR01527:@@@L&summ2=m SUMMARY AS OF: 3/14/2007--Introduced. Rural Veterans Access to Care Act - Allows a highly rural veteran who is enrolled in the system of patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to elect to receive covered health services through a non-VA health care provider. Defines a "highly rural veteran" as one who: (1) resides more than 60 miles from the nearest VA facility providing primary care services, more than 120 miles from a VA facility providing acute hospital care, or more than 240 miles from a VA facility providing tertiary care (depending on which services the veteran needs); or (2) otherwise experiences such hardships or other difficulties in travel to the nearest appropriate VA facility that such travel is not in the best interest of the veteran. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to furnish to a highly rural veteran such drugs and medicines as may be ordered on prescription of a duly licensed physician in the treatment of any illness or injury.

I want to thank everyone for the information we have received. We could not have survived the process without so much help from so many. After a visit with the county rep, we are waitng with baited breath on THE check. 2 years worth. It is wonderful to know we won't loose the house. The rep was not familiar with the ER/eligibilty forms. But, we got thru it. The hospital bills are approved and will be paid. Such a relief.It isn't enough to make an apponment, it takes making one's self aware. It took three months of phone calls, I got the run around, some out of honest mistakes (like giving me the fee bsais office number to an office in Biloxi that was destroyed in the hurricane...). But I did not quit until all was done. Thanks everyone. Kameron For anyone else looking for ER care : 1-877-222-8387 www.va.gov/health/elig

We just recently signed my husband up for early SSI. Thank you for the TDIU info. I thought I had to wait on the decision and then file TDIU. I am setting up an appoinment with our VA Rep. He is new to the office but a Nam Vet too. He doesn't have all the answers but has been very considerate, returns phone calls, and digs around for what he may not know. At least he will discuss things about the VA process with me as my husband is now almost all but non-communicative. My husband has not worked in years, could not get SS disability (not enough paid in), now I have to stay at home with him can not leave the house. Of course we live miles from anywhere as well. I have trouble even going to the grocery because of his anxiety and flashbacks. His PTSD has become worse. He has been getting treatment from the VA for the last 2 yrs, (last GAF from VA Doctors was 35) some meds help, but he has dire reactions to most of the meds, almost to the point of death from adverse reactions. We also have a Congressional inquiry on the table with the VA over his claim. I really appreciate any info you pass on, Kameron

Thanks for your reply. I think we are on the right track. We have not applied for TDIU as of yet, still waiting on rating determination, then will most likely apply. The claim was filled in '05, incident was in '07. I was told reimbursemant was NOT retoactive. But since this incident has happened while waiting on the rating.... maybe we still have achance at recovering expenses? If not....guess I will scream to the congressman's office........ After all, if they can convict a Congressman and imprison him and still pay a pension, surely a Nam vet deresves some med treatment payment. We were in a similar situation over the past 18 months waiting for the claim to be decided. Selling off assests, and actually moving out of our home we had lived in for the previous 17 years, etc. Not complaining, but like you, a fact. You will find support here fromthe Hadit fambly, as many have walked in your shoes. Once your husbands claim is decided and he is service connected, any unpaid bills for emergency treatment from the time you all filed the initial claim, and the decision recieved by the VARO making the service connection should be paid retroactively. You will have to fill out all the VA forms but you should get reimbursed for expenses and unpaid bills for PTSD should be paid.If he is awarded TDIU, then all expenses for any medical should be paid. Did you file for TDIU? with his PTSD claim? Jangrin

My husband is waitng for his service connected disability rating. We have no income, he has no health insurance. We have been selling off assetts to live.(This is not a complaint,just a fact of life) He has been treated for severe PTSD at the VA for the last 2 years. His claim is over 2 years old at this point. Should be decided soon as all info is before rating board now. Question: Conflict with a neighbor, police called, husband had mental breakdown, police enacted the "Baker Act" (under this act:instead of jail, police take him to the ER then Mental Hospital for evaluation). I am waiting on the 10-583 form. I read the HR 2116 subtitle B sec 111 "Millenium Health Care Act; reimbursement for ER treatment" As this is PTSD, flashbacks, service connected but not yet rated..... who pays the bills? Does the Millennium Act come into play? Anyone with advice on what to do next? Any information on medical expense reimbursment for expenses in a non-authorised facility while claim is pending? please advise

The "Millenium Act" we are looking for any information on this and how it would effect a Vietnam Veteran's "non-authorised" hospitalization claim. If while a vet is waiting on a determination rating, he is admitied to the ER on a Saturday nite (can't get into a VA facility), for an apparent service connected condition, will the Millenium Act help with the bills even tho the rating has not yet been determined?