My father qualified for VA benefits as a veteran of the Korean conflict. He has some assets, so he pays the VA co-pay for prescriptions. He's in long-term care with numerous medical problems. When I tried to renew prescriptions recently, I was told I couldn't do so until he saw a VA doctor. Apparently they waived the visit requirement last year, so his prescriptions were written by a local doctor this past year and filled by the VA. I've been told that they cannot waive the Doctor visit requirement again, and if he hasn't been seen by a VA Doctor for 2 years his benefits will be terminated.
The nursing home has a van for transport, but we don't think he can handle the trip to the VA. (He has advanced kidney and heart disease and late stage dementia.) There is an outpatient facility about 1 hour away - that's the closest. So ....
- can the VA doctor visit be waived again?
- can we ask the VA doctor to visit him?
- can we request an ambulance for transport?
I seems strange to me that the VA would cut off medication if you aren't well enough to see the doctor.
You should visit the VA website at www.VA.gov and review the various programs that may be available to your dad. I'm more than certain that he would be eligible for a couple of the programs ie Aid and Attendance and Veterans Pension. Depending on his disability rating he may also be eligible for VA long term care in a VA soldiers home or VA contracted nursing facility. Contact a VA social worker to find out which programs he may be eligible for and apply at ebenefits.va.gov Good luck and God bless.
Another possibility, is to have your dad fall under Hospice Care. If there is no curative hope for your dad, he falls under the Care and Comfort category. My dad was under Hospice care in his own home for a year prior to his death, and they covered 100 percent of his prescription costs.. Ask to speak to a Palliative Care social worker to see if this might be an option for you.... Blessings to you during this difficult time.
For once the family is in agreement, and we don't want to put Dad through the travel. We think we can handle the drug cost together since it will probably be a limited time, and the local doctor will work with us on keeping the costs down if possible. We also agree that the VA's resources should go to the young vets returning from combat. Dad has had a long and blessed life, and we are grateful.