New act helps veterans at Charles George VAMC with urgent care in Asheville

Jul. 17--ASHEVILLE -- Thanks to a new act, the Charles George VAMC will be able to assist veterans in getting access to more immediate care for certain issues.

The VA implemented the MISSION Act as a supplement to VA Care on June 6.

One of the lesser known provisions of the law established a new urgent care benefit that allows eligible veterans access to urgent and walk-in care at participating clinics in their communities.

Under this rule, eligible veterans will not need to get prior authorization from VA to visit an urgent care provider in VA's network.

"The intention is to improve access for veterans for find care in the community when they need it. Urgent care falls under that," said Christina Kenter, a registered nurse with VA and a systems redesign coordinator. "It's expanding caregiver support program."

This urgent care benefit is meant to give Veterans a convenient way to get treatment for minor injuries and illnesses such as colds, strep throat and pink eye.

To be eligible for urgent and walk-in care, veterans must be enrolled in the VA health care system and have received care through VA from either a VA or community provider within the past 24 months.

It also is one of the more impactful portions of the MISSION Act because it provides veterans in rural areas to get quick medical attention for minor ailments.

"Urgent care is intended as a supplement to same-day care supplements," Kenter said. "If you're enrolled as a veteran, you can go to one of the urgent cares in network. You don't have to get authorization."

Kenter noted urgent care is intended for minor injuries and illnesses.

"It's not intended for chronic health needs. Something you would go to an urgent care for would be strep throat of 'I think I have the flu,'" she said. "Part of what the bill does is vets get care when they need it, where they need it."

She said the service also helps veterans find a pharmacy to fill a prescription.

Within a 100-mile radius of zip code of 28805, there are 116 urgent clinics that have joined the VA network of care and growing.

To find a list of urgent clinics in your area, visit vaurgentcarelocator.triwest.com/Locator/Care. Charles George VAMC serves approximately 48,000 local Veterans every year.

For more information, veterans also can call 866-620-2071.

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