Beneficiary Travel 30-Day Timely Filing Rule
 For BT Claims:
A) All BT Claims with a date of travel beginning March 1, 2020 and ending 60 days following the date of the emergency period defined in 42 U.S.C. 1320b5(g)(1) will not be subject to the 30 Calendar day filing limit within 38 CFR Part 70, Subpart A, Beneficiary Travel and Special Mode Transportation Under 38 U.S.C. 111 70.20 (b).
- For example, a travel date of March 1st would normally be required to be filed by midnight on March 30th. The new filing deadline will now be based on 60 days following the end of the emergency period.
- To identify claims that are submitted beyond the normal 30 calendar days but within the identified period of emergency, the remark of COVID-19 must be added for auditing purposes.
B) Claims will still be denied as appropriate and the Claimant mailed written notification using the approved BT denial templates with VA form 10-0998 attached explaining their right to appeal.
IMPORTANT
When filing a claim:
- Proof of Attendance is required with ALL community care claims
- Claims may be denied if there is no Proof of Attendance
- It is the veterans responsibility to provide the Proof of Attendance .
For questions, please contact VA Long Beach Beneficiary Travel at
562-826-8000 Ext. 14633
April is National Minority Health Month
April is National Minority Health Month… a time for communities to raise awareness in order to help lessen the health disparities experienced by minorities.
Did you know health disparities are preventable differences in health status and outcomes that adversely affect certain populations? Health disparities are the imbalance in the quality of health and health care experienced by groups based on their environmental condition as well as their social, racial, ethnic and economic status. Unfortunately, these are often caused by inequalities based on income, as a person of low economic status may not be able to find or receive the same medical care as someone with a higher income.
Health equity is defined as the absence of unfair and avoidable differences in health among population groups, and this is only achieved when everyone is given an equal chance to attain the highest possible standard of health. Regardless of a person’s race, gender or social status, everyone deserves equal access to good health and medical care. That is why when the initiative for National Minority Health Month was launched by National Minority Health Month Foundation, it received support from the U.S. Congress with a concurrent resolution.
According to the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Minority Health Month helps to:
- Build awareness about the disproportionate burden of premature death and illness in people from racial and ethnic minority groups; and
- Encourage action through health education, early detection and control of disease complications.
The foundation for National Minority Health Month was established by civil rights activist Booker T. Washington. Born on a slave plantation, Booker T. Washington rose to become a leading African American author and educator. He believed that the key to the progress of African Americans was rooted in the connection between poverty and poor health. He advocated for economic progress, not just through education, but through improved living conditions that included better sanitation as well as access to healthcare.
Today, National Minority Health Month focuses on addressing the health needs of African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, Asians and other minorities. Now more than ever, minorities make up a vast part of the United States population, so by promoting National Minority Health Month, communities across the country can help to improve the health of racial and ethnic minorities and reduce health disparities. In addition, when communities are healthy, they live and work better, which leads to economic growth that is good for everyone.
Veterans Legal Institute Legal Clinic - May 5
 The Veterans Legal Institute is partnering with VA Long Beach for a Legal Clinic on Friday, May 5th from 9AM - 10:30AM in Building 165, Rm C209B at VA Long Beach!
Call 714-884-4421 for guidance on the application process and to determine eligibility to attend the clinic. Please specify the type of legal assistance you are seeking.
Please note that all veterans must complete the online application found on www.vetslegal.org prior to attending the clinic (at the beginning of the description of your matter, type ("VA LONG BEACH CLINIC APPOINTMENT REQUESTED.")
*Please bring a copy of your DD214 if you have it available.
Check out the updated Spring catalog of The Bulldog, a catalog of health education classes provided by VA Long Beach Healthcare System.
Caregiver Support Program
Have you heard about the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers?
Support for caregivers means making sure you’re informed about the programs, resources, and services available to you. The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) provides clinical services to caregivers of Veterans who are enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care. CSP’s resources are offered through two programs:
- The Program of General Caregiver Support Services, or PGCSS, and
- The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, or PCAFC.
PGCSS is the core of CSP and is available for all caregivers of Veterans enrolled in VA health care. Through PGCSS, caregivers have access to skills training, peer support mentoring, individual or group coaching, respite, mental health counseling, and more.
PCAFC provides additional clinical support services to caregivers of eligible Veterans enrolled in VA health care, who are seriously injured or ill and meet specific criteria. The additional services provided through PCAFC include a monthly stipend, health insurance, if eligible, as well as financial and legal support services.
Watch this short video to learn more about what PCAFC offers. And when you’re ready, click here to learn how to apply for PCAFC.
About the Caregiver Support Program
The Caregiver Support Program promotes the health and well-being of Veterans Caregivers through education, resources, support, and services. Visit CSP’s website to learn more.
To learn about CSP and certain aspects of the program, take a look at our Podcast with VA SITREP.
VA Caregiver Support Line
1-855-260-3274 toll-free
PACT Act
 The PACT Act created new windows of VA health care eligibility for Post-9/11 combat Veterans. The first window of eligibility—a one-year special enrollment period that began on October 1, 2022—now only has six months remaining. Enroll today, so you don’t have to wait for the next window to open! Visit VA.gov/PACT to learn more.
There are three paths you should consider when applying for toxic exposure benefits:
APPLY FOR VA COMPENSATION BENEFITS
Online or Print & Mail | Get Local Help | Meet with a Specialist |
Call 1-800-MyVA411
Veterans should reapply for PACT Act related claims if previously denied. 20+ more presumptive conditions for burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic exposures have been added.
ARE YOU ENROLLED IN VA HEALTH CARE?
Online or Print & Mail | Walk-In | Call 1-800-MyVA411
VA health care and eligibility has expanded for Veterans with toxic exposures and Veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War and post-9/11 eras. Veterans will be screened for toxic exposure during their VA health care appointments to assess additional health or benefits options.
JOIN TOXIC EXPOSURE REGISTRIES
Agent Orange | Burn Pits | Uranium | Gulf War | Toxic Fragments
Exposure registries are based on health exams for each cited environmental exposure. VA’s health registry evaluation is a free, voluntary medical assessment for Veterans who may have been exposed to certain environmental hazards, and registry data helps VA understand (and respond to) environmental health problems more effectively. Adding your information to these registries does not create a disability compensation claim.
If you don’t know where to start, call us at 1-800-MyVA411 or download the VA Welcome Kit.
Find a VA event to assist with your benefits applications.
Download PACT Act flyers and frequently asked questions.
Sign up for weekly e-mail updates.
See PACT Act progress on the dashboard
Read article on VA's website
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