Veterans Day in November brings more veterans, and the people around them, to the question of where to get care. Some are enrolled in VA health care; many are not sure they qualify. Here is what veterans service staff, housing staff and family members can share first, drawn from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and how a veteran can use other coverage with Hope Health Network.
First, the crisis line
The VA's Veterans Crisis Line is open around the clock. A veteran can dial 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat online. It serves veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and the people who support them, and the VA says a person does not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. In immediate danger, call 911.
Does the veteran qualify for VA health care?
The VA's basic rule is service in the active military, naval or air service without a dishonorable discharge, with minimum-service requirements and exceptions. A veteran who is not sure can check eligibility with the VA directly.
Community care through the VA
The VA says a veteran generally needs approval from their VA health care team before getting care from a community provider, except in certain cases such as urgent or emergency care, and that the VA pays for care from providers in its community care network. Its access standards for primary care, mental health and some outpatient care are a 30-minute average drive time or a 20-day wait. A veteran who wants VA-paid care outside the VA should ask their VA team first and confirm that the practice is part of the VA community care network.
Veterans at risk of losing housing
The VA's National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, 877-424-3838, answers around the clock for a veteran who is homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
Need to Refer a Patient?
One phone call routes to the right practice.
Using other coverage at Hope Health Network
A veteran with Medicare, a commercial plan or South Carolina Medicaid can be seen with that coverage. Our practices accept Medicare, most major commercial plans, and all South Carolina Medicaid managed care plans except Select Health (First Choice). Self-pay rates are also available.
- Hope Behavioral Medicine provides psychiatric medication management and counseling for adults with anxiety, depression, ADHD, insomnia, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder and postpartum depression, in person in West Ashley and by video.
- Hope Addiction Medicine provides medication-assisted treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders. Treatment typically begins with an in-person assessment, followed by weekly in-person or virtual visits before moving to a monthly schedule, and each plan is tailored to the patient.
- Hope Medical Associates provides primary care, including care for diabetes, hypertension and COPD, the Medicare yearly wellness visit, and help establishing a primary care provider after a hospital stay.
How to refer
You do not need to choose a practice; we route each referral to the right one. The referral line, fax number and secure form are on our referral page, and veterans service staff can read more on our veterans page. We typically contact the patient within two business days of a faxed referral, and initial evaluations are often able to be scheduled within a week of the request. If the patient needs to be seen sooner, call us.
Our practices are not an emergency service, and the referral form is not monitored for emergencies. For someone in crisis, call or text 988, and in immediate danger, call 911.
Sources: VA, Veterans Crisis Line; VA, Eligibility for VA Health Care; VA, Eligibility for Community Care Outside VA; VA, Homeless Programs for Veterans.
This article is general information, not medical advice, and does not create a patient–provider relationship. Every situation is different, so see a provider who can evaluate yours and develop a plan of care. Any medication discussed here may not be right for you: the right choice depends on your diagnoses, other health conditions and current medicines, so take medication only as directed by the provider managing your care. If you are ever in doubt about an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dial 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat online, any time. The VA says a veteran does not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect.
The VA's basic rule is service in the active military, naval or air service without a dishonorable discharge, with minimum-service requirements and exceptions. A veteran can check eligibility with the VA.
Generally yes. The VA says a veteran needs approval from their VA health care team before care from a community provider, except in certain cases such as urgent or emergency care.
The VA's National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838, open around the clock.
Yes. Our practices accept Medicare, most major commercial plans, and all South Carolina Medicaid managed care plans except Select Health (First Choice), and self-pay rates are available.