Via Christi Health now has a partnership to provide care through the Veterans Choice Program, giving veterans the choice to receive care at Via Christi locations throughout Kansas. As part of Ascension, the nation’s largest nonprofit healthcare system and the world’s largest Catholic health system, Via Christi joins 23 other states and the District of Columbia in sustaining and improving the health of individuals and our communities by serving as an official provider of Veteran Care outside the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Qualified U.S. veterans who face wait times in excess of 30 days at the VA or have to travel farther than 40 miles from their home can now receive care from Via Christi doctors at its sites of care statewide.
“Ascension saw an opportunity to help America’s veterans gain better access to healthcare and extend our Mission, which calls on us to deliver compassionate care to all,” said Jeff Korsmo, CEO of Via Christi and Ascension’s ministry market leader for Kansas. “We’re honored to play a role in helping better serve those who have served us so well.”
The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 established funding to pay for healthcare services provided to veterans by private healthcare providers. Through the partnership, Via Christi physicians and other caregivers are authorized to provide primary care, inpatient and outpatient specialty care, and mental health care for eligible veterans outside of the VA.
“Since the beginning of March, we’ve seen more than 200 veterans through the Veterans Choice Program for services including outpatient diagnostics and office visits with physician specialists to same-day and inpatient surgical procedures,” said Chris West, the Via Christi Behavioral Health service line administrator who is serving as the program navigator. “As a 10-year Army veteran, it’s a privilege to help my fellow veterans get the personalized care they deserve.”
Ascension has established a contractual agreement with TriWest Healthcare Alliance, a federal contractor to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As a Veterans Choice Program contractor, TriWest is designated by the VA to implement the Veterans Choice Program and provide eligible veterans access to care in their community when the local VA facility cannot readily provide care.
Nearly 9 million veterans received the Veterans Choice Card. Use of the card is strictly voluntary; veterans who qualify for VA healthcare can continue to receive care at a VA medical facility as they have in the past. The program will end when the allocated funds of $10 billion are used or no later than Aug. 7, 2017.
Veterans can determine eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program at https://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/.
U.S. veterans, Via Christi patients and caregivers who are interested in learning more about the Veterans Choice Program are encouraged to visit www.ascension.org/veterans.
Release from Via Christi Hospital