According to Stars and Stripes, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is implementing new policies regarding the use of the Telehealth system. These policies include the removal of co-pays for appointments, and the development of 800 mobile units to help provide video consultations. These consultations for certain physical and mental conditions may help qualify a veteran for disability benefits.
The VA has set a goal of 200,000 Telehealth appointments by the end of fiscal year 2012, which would be a 30% increase from 2011. Telehealth consultations are primarily focused on diagnosing and treating the mental health of veterans who may be suffering from a disabling condition such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
A recent VA Inspector General report revealed a lack of accurate record keeping for mental health patients. It was also found that there had been a problem with overly long wait times for these same patients. Expanding their remote conferencing services would play a vital role in helping the VA fix these issues while remaining cost effective.
Increasing the range of mental health care services available to veterans in remote areas has been one of the focuses of the VA as more veterans return from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars suffering from mental conditions. With other situations, such as military sexual trauma, also creating mental disorders and increasing suicide risk, getting a mental health assessment and treatment is something no veteran should be unable to obtain.
Telehealth conferences are an efficient and convenient way for many disabled veterans to receive health care without the hassle of travel. To qualify for benefits such as these through the VA, a veterans’ disability attorney can help you file a claim for your rightful veterans’ disability benefits.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veteran’s disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.
