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Care choices expanded for Delaware veterans

November 30, 2016

The Wilmington Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center announced that care for area veterans is expanding.

When the VA is not able to provide veterans with the healthcare services that they need in a timely manner, veterans may be eligible to receive services through the Veterans Choice Program. The choice program is managed by a national contractor, and recent changes allow the VA to establish agreements directly with local providers and healthcare organizations. When the national contractor can't appoint care in a timely manner, the local VA will work with the veteran to schedule care in their communities using these local provider agreements. The VA may also use local provider agreements when veterans are faced with extreme travel burdens.

Currently, the Wilmington Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center has established 127 provider agreements with community-based providers throughout Kent and Sussex counties. An additional 10 agreements are being finalized to further expand care options for veterans closer to their communities in lower Delaware.

Strategic partnerships with community veterans organizations and private sector healthcare providers are vital to accomplishing the Veterans Health Administration's mission to honor America's veterans by providing exceptional healthcare that improves their health and well-being.

"With a renewed purpose, VA is working hard to seek out, establish and expand a robust community network of providers to improve care for veterans," said Bob Callahan, acting director of the Wilmington VA Medical Center. "Caring for our veterans isn't limited to VA. We can't do this alone; it takes an entire community working together."

For more information on partnering with VA to provide healthcare or behavioral health services to local veterans, contact Christine O'Donnell, chief of health administration services, at 302-994-2511, Ext. 4248.

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