News

Patient Access Progress Update
Release 61 – January 12, 2017
Summary
In keeping with the commitment to improve transparency in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) processes and in accordance with Section 206 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (VACAA), VA today released the latest update of facility-level patient access data and is highlighting notable access improvements. In this release, VA is providing one report:

1. Pending Appointments (Snapshot of Data on January 1, 2017)*

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending its regulation on copayments for Veterans’ outpatient medications for non-service connected conditions. VA currently charges non-exempt Veterans either $8 or $9 for each 30-day or less supply of outpatient medication, and under current regulations, a calculation based on the medication of the Medical Consumer Price Index (CPI-P) would be used to determine the copayment amount in future years. 

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that, with help from Veteran-run small business ID.me, Veterans will now be able to manage their own health care and benefits online more simply and safely. Vets.gov now meets the “Level of Assurance 3” (LOA3) information assurance standard, which will allow VA to offer Veterans more features on a single convenient site. This is the highest level of security used to protect user data and privacy, and VA is a leader in both the government and private sectors with an LOA3 logon account.

FARGO, N.D. – The Fargo VA Health Care System and Veterans Benefits Administration will host a Veterans Town Hall and Claims Clinic at the Fargo VA Medical Center in the 3rd floor auditorium, Dec. 8.

The Town Hall, open to both Veterans and the general public, will be hosted by the Fargo VA HCS Director, Lavonne Liversage, and the Director of the VBA’s Dakotas Regional Office, Shawn Bohn.

The Town Hall will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. CST. The purpose of the Town Hall is to share information, hear feedback, and answer questions about VA health care and benefits.

FARGO, N.D., Nov. 2 - Brides Across America is proud to kick off its annual Operation Wedding Gown giveaway events held in November in salons across the country. In an effort to support communities, Brides Across America this November will provide free wedding gowns at participating salons for active-duty personnel and first responders. 

The Fargo VA Medical Center (2101 Elm Street N., Fargo) will host a New Veteran Patient Orientation, Nov. 9, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

The orientation is open to all Veterans who are enrolled in the Fargo VA Health Care System. Veterans are also encouraged to bring a guest to the orientation, such as a fellow Veteran or family member.

During the orientation, attendees will receive information regarding health benefits and the myriad of resources and care available within the Fargo VA Health Care System.

Tours of the Medical Center will be available after the orientation.

The Marine Corps League (MCL) is expanding into the Fargo area and is searching for a few good Marines! Touted as the only Marine Corps specific veteran service organization, the MCL was chartered by Congress in 1937 and has proven to be the singular voice for Marines since its inception.

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald today announced the awarding of up to $7.8 million in grants for adaptive sports programs for disabled Veterans and disabled Servicemembers of the Armed Forces. The grant recipients may use these funds for planning, developing, managing and implementing these adaptive sports programs.