Hearing prep 1/30 Flashcards
What is VHA doing to partner with VBA?
-Goal to ensure that anytime a Veteran or family member interacts with VA - whether VBA or VHA they receive the support and guidance they need
-That includes while still wearing the uniform and preparing for transition, after retirement, and through the end of life
-Partner during the Veteran transition period
-Joint guidance, communication, and outreach through local, regional, and national engagements
-Listening to feedback - Example the SAMS and NCA pilot
-For Survivors specifically - Singular condensed resource guide such as OSA and including VHA, VBA, NCA and external resources for survivors of Veterans died by suicide - in partnership with our VEO office
-Plan for distribution widely later this year
Who is being held accountable?
What is your position on expanding CHAMPVA eligibility for dependents to age 26?
Support
How does VHA support Survivors after passing?
-Supportive calls from care teams, chaplains
-Bereavement services for those eligible whether through VHA facilities or VetCenters
-Need for consistency
-SAMS
-NCA pilot
-20k contacts to VHA after Veterans passing
Is VHA running out of money? Is there a hiring freeze?
-Last year hired employees - 61k (confirm), workforce over 400k and placed intentional focus on retention
-Goal to make sure we’re making the best use of our dedicated workforce and address targeted areas of need like MH
-It’s important in these situations to have close communication with our field teams and the Sec and UnderSec are committed to that
What happened at the Jesse Brown VA?
What Mental health services are provided at transition?
-Close coordination with M2Vet and VA healthcare liaisons
-Solid Start program - calls newly separated Veterans 3x in first year of transition to provide information on how to access MH and other services
-COMPACT Act
Why are we hearing about delays in payments in CHAMPVA?
-Antiquated system but improved
-92% within 30 days
-Paper claims
-Payment hold Treasury Mandate
How many beneficiaries use CHAMPVA?
703k total enrolled
488k in FY23
13% growth in enrollment from FY22 to 23
206 employees
What is the current status of the Caregivers and Family Members FACA?
-May 2023 moved to VHA
-20 members - **Example of Listening
-recommendations due in July 2024
When is VHA updating Caregivers eligibility criteria?
How long can VA offer services to Survivors after a Veteran passes?
What can Congress do to help?
Appreciate assistance
CHAMPVA
Bereavement support
How bad is CHAMPVA’s backlog?
-92% of provider healthcare claims within 30 days
-Eligibility applications at 8k with 45 day average processing
What restrictions exist for bereavement services?
Currently only for Suicide Victims, death of active duty, those in Vet Center treatment, and those receiving treatment for specific conditions associated with service at VAMCS
What training do MH providers receive?
Leading educator of MH trainees in the country
Quality control of clinical care, patient satisfaction of care through office
VCL take over 160 hours of classroom training
What metrics are used to assess and improve VCL?
Quality control program
Evaluation of calls
Training
How much expended in CHAMPVA?
$1.88B in FY23
Demographics of CHAMPVA enrollees?
703k total
488k filed claim last year
512k Spouses
12k caregivers
176k children under 23
100k growth in unique users in last 6 years
What bereavement care can VetCenters provide to survivors?
Bereavement services to;
-Passing of active duty
-Active clients
-Suicide deaths (FY23)
How does VHA coordinate military transition?
M2Vet
VA Health Coordinators
Ensure resources are included in transition training
Solid start program
What role will psychedelics research have with survivors?
Announced earlier this month that, based on input by Veterans, VA, and outside researchers VA is taking the step to seek research proposals to look at impacts of psychedelics on MH and PTSD
Goal to thoughtfully evaluate their impacts in a safe manner
The research is focused specifically on Veterans and we will certainly keep the committee updated on progress
How does CHAMPVA conduct outreach?
-Integration with materials for enrollees, Veterans, VBA
-Newsletters and articles for surviving spouses
-Presentations to VSOs at state and county level
-Presentations in partnership with DOD
What can be done to improve CHAMPVA?
-Modernize technology
-Further outreach
-Care coordination
-Customer service
