VA offers new urgent care benefits for veterans

COATESVILLE >> The Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced a new urgent care benefit under the newly implemented MISSION Act, for eligible Veterans. The urgent care benefit allows Veterans enrolled with VA Healthcare to visit participating urgent care clinics in their community for treatment of minor healthcare needs.

The urgent care benefit offers added convenience for eligible Veterans to use at any time, with any participating provider throughout the country — an excellent benefit for eligible Veterans that may be traveling over these summer months. Veterans do not need to get VA authorization prior to visiting a participating urgent care provider.

A comprehensive list of participating urgent care community providers is available at www.va.gov/ find-locations, or on the VAapproved urgent care locations and pharmacies link, then follow the instructions to find the nearest participating urgent care provider in your local community.

The urgent care benefit also includes medications prescribed during the visit at a community pharmacy. Some Veterans may experience a copay as a result of their eligibility and number of visits throughout the year.

To be eligible for this urgent care benefit, Veterans must be enrolled in the VA health care system and have received care through the VA from either a VA or community provider within the past 24 months. If you are

a Veteran and not enrolled in VA Healthcare, then now is the time to check on your eligibility. Contact the Coatesville VA Medical Center Enrollment and Eligibility office at (610) 383-0265 or 0266, to check on your eligibility and to enroll in VA Healthcare today. Appointments

with a primary care team are available.

Additional information on this new urgent care benefit can be provided by contacting our Office of Care Coordination, at (610) 384-7711 extension 3659.