Department of Veterans Affairs

LVMAC Tidbit — Volunteers Needed for the Wheelchair Games in the Lehigh Valley Suburb of Philadelphia

34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games LogoVolunteers are now being sought to help with the 34th National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Philadelphia during the period 12 through 17 August 2014. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Paralyzed Veterans of America are “co-presenting” or hosting the Games, the largest of its kind in the world, and expected to attract more than 500 veterans athletes with spinal cord injuries, amputations or serious neurological disorders. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Ten Years and Two Wars Later, Survey Says?

Commonwealth Conducts Survey of Veterans

DMVA LogoBack in 2004, the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council first reported the Commonwealth had serious problems in its veterans affairs system. While improvements have been made, the system still languishes.

Now, Penn State University – Harrisburg Campus, under contract to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, is conducting a ‘veterans needs assessment.’ It is asking you to complete an online survey, if you are a Pennsylvania veteran – and furthermore, to encourage others you know to do so. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — Doing Income Verification a Better Way

VA Removes Annual Income Reporting Requirement for Almost All

LVMAC Poster Art 2005As the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) enters the twenty-first century of healthcare, it is getting smarter in its uses of the electronic databases of other federal agencies to the benefit of our veterans and their own work processes.

Effective March 2014, almost all veterans enrolled in the healthcare system are no longer required to file an annual VA Form 10-10EZR, a change in policy which affects many veterans in the system. Instead, the VA will automatically match income information obtained from the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration. The new “means test” policy is more customer-centric and ensures healthcare eligibility is kept up to date. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — New “VIC” Card Rollout Faster Than Expected

VA Announces Rollout of Secure Veteran Health Identification Cards

On 20 February, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) ay announced a phased rollout of its newly designed and more secure veteran identity card in response to their present identity card calamity.  The VA has responded more quickly than it originally anticipated.

In addition to being more secure, the card has been redesignated as the Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) – replacing the Veteran Identification Card (VIC) introduced in 2004.

20140224_VA-ID-Card-Front

(more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC News — The “Vet” Question

LVMAC_Circular_w_Motto 2013 (Backgroundless)Healthcare Providers Seek to Identify Veterans to Improve Their Care

LEHIGH VALLEY, PA; November 6, 2013 – An alliance of every hospital in the Lehigh Valley, created by the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) in 2011, is announcing an initiative to identify veterans during the hospital registration process.  Much in the same way patients are asked if they feel safe in their home, all adult patients soon will be asked whether they are a veteran.  Completion is targeted for 31 March 2014. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

Forward Observer — PS to You, Lehigh Valley Veterans Wanted for Focus

PA Veterans Needs Assessment FG Flyer NCC 7Nov2013LVMAC Poster Art 2005The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, using Penn State University (PSU) – Harrisburg as its contractor,  is conducting an unusual survey to assess the real needs of veterans and their families.

There are significant concerns with the current system which need addressing at state and federal levels or, in our estimation, this study would not not be conducted.  If properly done,  LVMAC sees the study as a tool towards achieving future system changes for the benefit of our local military veterans and their families. In addition to literature searches, comparisons with other states, random surveys and interviews of selected organizations to help assess the situation,  focus group meetings are being conducted at six sites throughout the state.  The Lehigh Valley has been selected for one of these sites – usually we are overlooked. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit — Government Shutdown Affects Veterans

Many of you have concerns about the continuationVeterans Shutdown Field_Guide 01Oct2013 (1 of 2) of the government shutdown engineered by our Congress.

Since we are largely a veterans population in the Lehigh Valley, we thought it would be useful for you to know the facts on how you are affected.  Tap on the images on the right  for the details the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is putting out.  (more…)

By LVMAC, ago