VA Hospitals and clinics near AT
Just wondering if there are any VA hospitals or clinics near the trail?
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.
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.
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.
"It goes to show you never can tell." - Charles Edward Anderson Berry
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
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?
there's a VA clinic in Bristol, Va.about 25 miles from Damascus
They might give you greif but they will see you I was planning to look these up too keep them coming.
Hiking the AT is “pointless.” What life is not “pointless”? Is it not pointless to work paycheck to paycheck just to conform?.....I want to make my life less ordinary. AWOL
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.
VA Hospital in Martinsburg, WV, under 20 miles from Harpers Ferry.
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.
Ya I like my VA
Hiking the AT is “pointless.” What life is not “pointless”? Is it not pointless to work paycheck to paycheck just to conform?.....I want to make my life less ordinary. AWOL
Salon VA 15 mins by car from Mcafees Knob...Hope this helps ya'll
My love for life is quit simple .i get uo in the moring and then i go to bed at night. What I do inbween is to occupy my time. Cary Grant
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.
"He was a wise man who invented beer." Plato
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
I found this old thread.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/arch.../t-101709.html
I'm service connected and yes they will me I'm not sure about other situations
Hiking the AT is “pointless.” What life is not “pointless”? Is it not pointless to work paycheck to paycheck just to conform?.....I want to make my life less ordinary. AWOL
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/res...o/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.
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!
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."
How long does it take to get paid and is it a check?Originally Posted by JumpMaster Blaster
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