The Request for Service (RFS) form (10-10172) you use to request additional care for Veterans is being updated and will relaunch later this year, so stay tuned!  

The form will have a more modern, user-friendly look and additional content to increase efficiency in the clinical review process and timeliness in providing care to our Veterans. Each section will provide more detailed and comprehensive insight into the Veteran, ordering provider, service request, additional related services needed based on the request, and more. 

The current RFS form can be found on the VA site. For more information contact the RFS team at RequestForServiceSupport@va.gov. 

When a Veteran is in crisis, the important work happens almost immediately – stabilizing them, mitigating environmental factors contributing to their acute state and identifying follow-on opportunities for care to support a return to whole health and much more.  

For Veterans in acute suicidal crisis, inviting VA into the Veteran’s care plan as soon as possible improves outcomes because VA has solutions you may not be aware of. 

When an eligible Veteran in acute suicidal crisis presents to any emergency department, VA assumes the financial burden of their transportation and care for that event, related prescriptions, and up to 30 days of residential or inpatient care and 90 days of outpatient care. VA also connects them to benefits and services they may not know they are eligible for. 

More than that, Veterans enrolled in VA’s system have a health care record that provides insight into their needs. Rather than placing more pressure on the Veteran, VA removes the financial element while ensuring continuity of care and expanding their access. 

One of your administrative steps is to report that Veteran’s care to VA using the online emergency care reporting portal – Veterans Health Administration - Community Care (va.gov) –  or by calling 844-72HRVHA (844-724-7842). This allows VA to confirm their eligibility, authorize the care and assign a case number for tracking purposes. 

The next important administrative step is to contact your local VA medical center to coordinate follow-on care and transfer, if necessary. You can find contact information to establish or maintain that relationship at Facility Contact Numbers for Care Coordination_6.9.2020 - U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (va.gov). 

What you do saves lives every day, but you’re not alone. VA is ready to help you care for our nation’s Veterans. Making that connection helps you provide the best care for Veterans in need. 

Recognizing the signs of a Veteran in crisis and knowing how to start a conversation about suicide is challenging. Some guidance from Matthew Miller, executive director of VA’s Suicide Prevention Program can help you navigate these difficult discussions, ask the tough questions and provide support to a Veteran who may be in crisis.  

We also recommend you view Dr. Miguel LaPuz’s video message about free training provided by VA’s Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. Please share this important information with your staff and colleagues who treat Veterans. 

Marine Veteran James Capers participated in more than 50 classified missions during his service and became the first enlisted African American Marine to receive a battlefield commission. While in Vietnam, Capers took part in five major campaigns which involved difficult and dangerous missions. For his actions there he was awarded two Bronze Stars with valor. Read more about James’ story here.