View Full Version : VA Hospitals and clinics near AT
Roll Tide
12-14-2016, 15:07
Just wondering if there are any VA hospitals or clinics near the trail?
Greenlight
12-14-2016, 15:20
How do you define "near?" It is easy to find a Google map of the AT and then search for "VA hospital" and "VA clinic" and you'll find a good number of them are within 10 to 20 miles of the trail...as the crow flies. If that is how you're planning to get care, you might be surprised how much more expensive the logistics will be to get to the facility, lodge there until you're seen, and get back to the trail. Why wouldn't you just go to the local sawbones in a trail town, who is probably more familiar with the types of injuries, sprains, strains, and illnesses associated with thru-hiking. You may shell out a few twenties to Dr. Trailtown, but then you'll be off to the pharmacy and back up the hill.
HYOH, and if the VA is your way, more power to you. I plan on using Dr. Trailtown and if I get something really dire, being transported to a regional facility for whatever specialty care is appropriate.
FrogLevel
12-14-2016, 17:00
There's one in Johnson city, TN which is about 16 miles from Hampton or Roan Mountain trail crossings. [NetTrans](http://nettrans.org/), a local company, offers very cheap rides to anyone with a reservation.
Old Grouse
12-14-2016, 17:06
There's one in the Bronx. You could hop a train or bus from any of several places to get into NYC, then take a cab.
peakbagger
12-14-2016, 17:18
Last one that's easy to get to up North is the facility in White River Junction VT. Its about four miles south of Hanover. There is no VA facility in NH. The Maine VA facility is in Togus Maine. No local bus service so it would be a couple of hitches from the Maine AT
orthofingers
12-14-2016, 18:40
I'm recently in the VA system and was wondering the same thing. If you need to be seen, can you go to a VA anywhere and present your card and receive VA care? Or do you have to arrange something beforehand?
Lone Wolf
12-14-2016, 19:07
there's a VA clinic in Bristol, Va.about 25 miles from Damascus
AfterParty
12-14-2016, 19:17
They might give you greif but they will see you I was planning to look these up too keep them coming.
boshettee
12-14-2016, 20:15
Yes, you can be seen at any VA. The VA system is such that your records are available for any VA physician so he/she has access and determine best avenue of care.
Patrickjd9
12-14-2016, 22:34
VA Hospital in Martinsburg, WV, under 20 miles from Harpers Ferry.
Roll Tide
12-15-2016, 17:18
Thanks for the response. Planning on 2017 thru hike, will try to use VA, if needed, as long as it is close to the trail. If not close will use local doctors. Don't know about others, but I have had good treatment with my local VA hospital.
AfterParty
12-15-2016, 17:55
Ya I like my VA
Salon VA 15 mins by car from Mcafees Knob...Hope this helps ya'll
jjozgrunt
12-15-2016, 21:44
Another good thread to follow as Australia DVA and the USA VA have reciprocal treatment agreements, so knowing where the VA hospitals and clinics are is excellent. I will have private travel insurance but if anything major occurs it is worth well knowing.
Bit different if you travel here as any doctor or hospital will treat you on presentation of your card and bills the DVA direct. They sold off the DVA hospitals a number of years ago, because they decided it was cheaper and they could provide a better service if you could get treated anywhere, by any doctor, rather than maintaining their own hospital system. Means you can see the top specialist in any field, providing they accept DVA payments, and I haven't had any doctor refuse. Works a treat for veterans here, thats is once DVA accept the injuries/illnesses as service related, a whole nother bureaucratic process.
gracebowen
12-15-2016, 22:00
I havent verified this yet but I heard here in a true emergency the VA will pay the bill if you go to the closest ER
gracebowen
12-15-2016, 22:11
I found this old thread.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/archive/index.php/t-101709.html
AfterParty
12-15-2016, 22:47
I'm service connected and yes they will me I'm not sure about other situations
StillMoving
12-15-2016, 23:55
Not sure this pertains to me or not, but it's on my research list.
Go to the link because there's more info there - this starts about 1/2 way down the page:
http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/resources/publications/hbco/hbco_faq.asp
Am I eligible for emergency care at a non-VA facility?An eligible Veteran may receive emergency care at a non-VA health care facility at VA expense when a VA facility or other Federal health care facility with which VA has an agreement is unable to furnish economical care due to the Veteran’s geographical inaccessibility to a VA medical facility, or when VA is unable to furnish the needed emergency services. (See “Emergency Care” in 5_Medical Benefits Package for specific rules.)
Are there any payment limitations for non-VA emergency care?Emergency care must be pre-authorized by VA. When the emergency care is not authorized in advance by VA, it may be considered as preauthorized care when the nearest VA medical facility is notified within 72 hours of admission, the Veteran is eligible and the care rendered is emergent in nature. Claims for non-VA emergency care not authorized by VA in advance of services being furnished must be timely filed.
Because timely filing requirements differ by type of claim, you should contact the nearest VA medical facility as soon as possible to avoid payment denial for an untimely filed claim. (See “Emergency Care” in 5_Medical Benefits Package for specific rules.)
Payment may not be approved for any period beyond the date on which the medical emergency ended, except when VA cannot accommodate transfer of the Veteran to a VA or other Federal facility. An emergency is deemed to have ended at that point when a VA physician has determined that, based on sound medical judgment, a Veteran who received emergency hospital care could have been transferred from the non-VA facility to a VA medical center for continuation of treatment.
JumpMaster Blaster
12-16-2016, 10:05
Be careful if you go. My "home" clinic is here in Fayetteville, NC. I went to the ER at the VAMC in Johnson City, TN, (got injured in Roan Mountain) and got charged $58 for the visit and meds. I'd contact the VA and let them know you'll be traveling just to cover your bases. Also, if you end up having to go, make sure you fill out a form for travel BEFORE you leave the facility. They'll pay you for travel from wherever you got off the trail to the VA and back.
Good luck to you!
gracebowen
12-16-2016, 10:39
Be careful if you go. My "home" clinic is here in Fayetteville, NC. I went to the ER at the VAMC in Johnson City, TN, (got injured in Roan Mountain) and got charged $58 for the visit and meds. I'd contact the VA and let them know you'll be traveling just to cover your bases. Also, if you end up having to go, make sure you fill out a form for travel BEFORE you leave the facility. They'll pay you for travel from wherever you got off the trail to the VA and back.
Good luck to you!
How long does it take to get paid and is it a check?
Mouser999
12-16-2016, 11:03
Leeds/Northampton Mass. 30 miles East of Dalton Ma. on Rt. 9.
It is normally deposited into whatever bank account you set up with the VA for travel
AfterParty
01-10-2017, 21:33
You gotta be service connected at 30% iirc to get travel pay.
I was in Asheville, NC at Christmas and saw a sign for a VA Medical Center.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/VA+Medical+Center-Asheville,+1100+Tunnel+Rd,+Asheville,+NC+28805/@35.5884893,-82.4834371,13z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8859f3fa0e0648e9:0x3519f0bc3c8e1 df7?hl=en-us
Not sure exactly how far away from the AT this is. I hope this helps.
Wayne
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Just wondering if there are any VA hospitals or clinics near the trail?
Wait a month or so and you might be able to go to a private hospital of your choosing.