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Find out more about the VA Payment Account Setup. It’s a federal requirement.
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New Platform Supports Efficient Community Care Coordination
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LGBTQ+ Health Program and Suicide Prevention
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Whole Health Resources to Share with Our Veterans
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Ready to Get Paid via EFT for CHAMPVA Claims
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V A "G O O D N E W S" S T O R I E S
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VA has introduced a faster way to schedule Veteran community care appointments with External Provider Scheduling (EPS). EPS allows VA staff to schedule initial referrals directly into community providers’ scheduling grids, saving time and eliminating back and forth between the provider, the patient, and the scheduler.
EPS has demonstrated several benefits that make patient care and workflow with VA more efficient. Results show EPS has decreased the time between initial referrals and first-scheduled appointments by over 50% compared to traditional scheduling, which normally requires phone calls and faxes.
VA schedulers can also book a higher volume of referrals per day since the average time it takes to schedule using EPS is only about six minutes. And since the system is not office-hour dependent, VA schedulers can also book appointments through EPS on weekends if needed.
When you opt-in you can expect the following EPS benefits:
- No additional cost.
- Control and visibility of your own scheduling grids maintained.
- Scheduled appointments that are already authorized, so payment is taken care of.
- Saved time for staff time by allowing VA to book directly into your live scheduling grids.
EPS’ digital features can elevate Veterans’ care and streamline coordination between VA staff, you, and your staff. For questions about EPS, or to learn more about how to opt-in, email EPSProviderEngagementTeam@va.gov for more information.
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LGBTQ+ Veterans face many unique health challenges, including a higher risk for mental health issues and thoughts of suicide, than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts.
VA’s Office of Suicide Prevention and the LGBTQ+ Health Program are working together to educate Veterans on LGBTQ+ suicide prevention efforts, including:
- Acknowledging the impact of discrimination experienced by LGBTQ+ Veterans, which can be associated with increased risk of suicide and barriers to seeking care.
- Continuing to improve services and provide education that increase inclusion of LGBTQ+ Veterans.
- Supporting LGBTQ+ Veterans and service members who call the Veterans Crisis Line, which is available 24/7.
- Having a suicide prevention coordinator at every VA medical center to connect Veterans with their local LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator for additional support and resources.
Everyone plays a role in suicide prevention, and we need to make sure LGBTQ+ Veterans feel welcome at VA.
Remind your Veterans they can contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7 confidential support. Veterans don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, dial 988 then press 1, chat online at Veterans Crisis Line, or text 838255. They can also contact their local LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator for added support in their unique care journeys.
For more information, you can read this full story or visit VA’s website to learn more about the LGBTQ+ Health Program.
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VA’s approach to care supports Veterans’ Whole Health. In other words, we center their care around what matters to them, not just what is the matter with them.
You are invited to share these educational resources with your Veteran patients to promote their understanding of our whole health approach and empower them to prioritize their own Whole Health as they navigate their care journeys.
Below, you will find online tools, reading materials and handouts, educational videos, and more to share with your Veteran patients.
Online tools and reading:
Whole Health webpage
This is VA’s main site for all things whole health and a great starting point to learn about the whole health concept and how VA applies it to Veteran health care. Be sure to bookmark this site for future reference!
Circle of Health
The Circle of Health illustrates big picture connections between health and other aspects of life. This site offers a wide range of helpful materials, organized by each Circle of Health component, including self care, professional care, and community.
Veteran Whole Health hand-outs
This webpage offers a wide range of helpful materials, organized around each component of self-care in the Circle of Health.
Live Whole Health mobile app
The Live Whole Health mobile app helps Veterans optimize their overall health and wellbeing. The app guides users through the Personal Health Inventory, centered around, “what matters most?”
Additional online tools
Here, Veterans can find a list of VA-developed and publicly available resources, including reading materials, videos, and apps that can help them explore more about whole health and how they can apply it to their lives.
Video Resources:
#LiveWholeHealth: Self Care for Veterans
VA’s ongoing self-care video series highlights whole health resources including video sessions for yoga or meditation that Veterans can use at home to live healthier and happier. New videos are published on a regular basis to this website.
Discover What Matters. Live Whole Health
This video highlights how whole health puts Veterans at the center of their care, helping them make more informed decisions, adopt healthy behaviors, have positive health care experiences, and achieve better health outcomes. We encourage you to view the video here and share the link with your Veteran patients!
Whole Health Video library
You can find the complete list of whole health videos on VA’s website.
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If you provide care to beneficiaries through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), enroll in direct deposit (electronic funds transfer (EFT)) to receive your claim payments. Getting paid by EFT isn’t optional, it’s a federal requirement.
Enrolling in EFT also ensures you get paid. EFT payments are secure and efficient, and safeguard Veterans’ family members access to benefits.
If you haven’t enrolled in EFT already:
- Visit the VA Financial Services Center Customer Engagement Portal.
- Complete the Payment Account Setup web form to enroll. (To help you with your direct deposit enrollment, please see this Vendor Web Form User Guide.) For assistance with the webform, call 877-353-9791.
Your payments will be automatically deposited into a bank account.
If you are not enrolled in EFT, your claims payments will be paused until your EFT enrollment is complete. Make the move today.
About CHAMPVA
CHAMPVA is a health care program for qualified spouses, widows(ers), and children of eligible Veterans. Through CHAMPVA, VA shares the cost of certain health care services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries.
More Information:
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E D U C A T I O N & T R A I N I N G
Program Description: The purpose of this live, knowledge-based training is to increase provider awareness of the prevalence of suicide among older adults, recognize the warning signs to manage suicide risk and provide education on prevention strategies to mitigate suicide risk.
Date: Aug. 13 at noon ET
Location: VHA TRAIN
Credit/hours: One (1)
Accreditations: AAPA, ACCME, ACCME-NP, ACPE, ANCC, AOTA, APA, APTA, ASHA, ASWB, CDR, JAIPCE, NYSED-P, NYSED-SW
Deprescribing: When Less Is More
Program Description: The purpose of this live, knowledge-based webinar is to inform interdisciplinary health care teams about the importance of deprescribing high-risk medication with older Veterans and raise awareness of the VA-created deprescribing tool as a means for approaching deprescribing.
Date: Aug. 30 at noon ET and again at 3 p.m. ET
Location: VHA TRAIN
Credit/hours: One (1)
Accreditations: ACCME, ACCME-NP, ACPE, ANCC, AOTA, APA, APTA, ASWB, JA IPCE, NBCC, NYSED-P, NYSED-SW
Reflections on VA’s Palliative and Hospice Care Program: Lessons for Growth
Program Description: This live, knowledge-based webinar series will help hospice providers and other health care teams better understand the history and development of VA palliative and hospice care.
Date: Aug. 8 at 3 p.m. ET
Location: VHA TRAIN
Credit/hours: One (1)
Accreditations: ACCME, ACCME-NP, ACPE, ANCC, APA, ASWB, JA IPCE, NYSED-P, NYSED-SW
Whole Health for Complex Patients:
Chronic Pain
Program Description: The purpose of this recorded, knowledge-based training is to address the intersection of mental health and chronic pain co-morbidities.
Location: VHA TRAIN
Credit/hours: One (1)
Accreditations: ACCME, ACCME-NP, ACPE, ANCC, APA, ASWB, JAIPCE, NBCC, NYSED-P, NYSED-SW
Mindful Awareness Training
Program Description: The purpose of this knowledge-based educational web course is to describe mindful awareness and its use within VA; explore the research regarding mindful awareness and its benefits; and consider how it can be incorporated into daily routine and practice.
Location: VHA TRAIN
Credit/hours: One (1)
Accreditations: ACCME, ACCME-NP, ANCC, NBHWC
Long COVID Lecture Series: Long COVID and Health Inequalities
Program Description: The Long COVID lecture series highlights research on post-acute and long-term outcomes of COVID-19. The series began in the summer of 2022 within the St. Louis VA Health Care System and was conceived and developed by Uly Labilles, Ph.D., and Dr. Ziyad A-Aly, research and development service chief. To be added to the Long COVID Lecture Series distribution list, please email Alysha Hunter.
Date: Aug. 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: The webinar can be accessed through this link.
Accreditations: ACCME, ACCME-NP, ACPE, APA, APTA, ASWB, JA IPCE, NBCC, NYSED, NYSED-P
Opioid Safety Initiative
This course promotes evidence-based management of Veterans with chronic pain to improve patient outcomes and decrease incidence of complications associated with opioid prescribing.
Location: VHA TRAIN
ID#: 1086479
Credit/hours: One (1)
Training available through Optum and TriWest
Numerous live and on-demand webinars and trainings are offered by Optum and TriWest to fit your schedule. Check them out!
Interested in more Optum and TriWest news and information? Click here for access to Optum newsletters. TriWest’s Provider Pulse newsletter can be found here.
Preventing Suicide Through Lethal Means Safety and Safety Planning
This course provides updated lethal means safety training and resources for VHA facility suicide prevention coordinators and other mental-health/suicide-prevention clinicians.
Location: VHA TRAIN
ID#: 1075258
Accreditations: APA, ACCME, ACCME-NP, ANCC, APA, NBCC, ASWB, NYSED SW
Questions? If you require assistance, please contact the VHA TRAIN Help Desk by email at vhatrain@va.gov.
How to obtain your credit completion certificate:
Once you complete a credited training, you can obtain your credential certificate(s) in four easy steps:
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Log in to VHA Train - https://vha.train.org/vha/login
- Go to “Your Learning”
- Go to “Your Certificates”
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Download your certificate
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P O D C A S T
Social isolation and loneliness can impact Veterans’ mental and physical health. In this episode, Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal speaks with Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy and Vietnam Veteran Randy Long to talk about the impact of loneliness and how VA’s Compassionate Contact Corps program can support Veterans’ whole health. Visit VHA’s official YouTube channel to listen to the full podcast episode.
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V E T E R A N S P O T L I G H T
Sara “Clutch” Joyner was born on Hoopers Island, Maryland. She graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in oceanography and was commissioned as an ensign in the Navy.
She began her aviation journey when she entered flight school, earning her Naval aviator wings in 1991. Years later, she became a fighter pilot, flying the F/A-18 Hornet with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, based in California.
Joyner made significant contributions to the Navy throughout her career. She became the first female strike fighter pilot to command a Navy fighter squadron in 2007 and a carrier air wing in 2013. Joyner took on the role of Director for Manpower and Personnel (J1) for the Joint Chiefs of Staff in June 2018, showcasing her versatility and leadership across various roles within the military. She later served as the Chief of Legislative Affairs for the Department of the Navy until May 2022.
Today, Joyner’s impressive career of service continues in roles such as Director for Force Structure, Resources, and Assessment on the Joint Staff showcases her enduring commitment to the Nation’s defense. You can read more about her accomplishments on the VA News website here.
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Payton Alexander Onco was born in Lawton, Oklahoma. After graduating from Lawton High School in 2011, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, completing training in San Diego and Fort Lee, Virginia. After training, he was assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
Onco deployed to Afghanistan on May 15, 2012. A month into his mission, his armored truck was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED), causing injuries to two of his fellow Marines. For his service, Onco received many awards, including a Purple Heart, a Sea Service Deployment ribbon and a Combat Action Ribbon. He was honorably discharged in June 2015.
Onco’s life is deeply intertwined with his Native American roots. A proud member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, he actively participates in cultural traditions. He takes part in the Kiowa Gourd Clan ceremony and has been inducted into the Ton-kon-gah (Kiowa Black Leggings) Warrior Society. This connection is not just a personal journey for Onco, as his family members have also been avid supporters of various Veteran support organizations. Check out more of Payton Alexander Onco story here.
We honor their service.
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V A "G O O D N E W S" S T O R I E S
VA announced $10 million in new funding for eligible states, territories, and tribal governments through cooperative agreements to better inform Veteran suicide prevention strategies.
These cooperative agreements will provide funding for organizing suicide mortality review committees, which identify and characterize suicide deaths and inform the development of suicide prevention strategies for Veterans.
This funding opportunity advances VA’s National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide, the Biden-Harris administration’s strategy to reduce military and Veteran suicide, and President Biden’s Unity Agenda for the Nation.
“Launching this first-of-its-kind initiative will allow us to better understand suicide deaths and, as a result, deliver better interventions to prevent Veteran suicide,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough.
For more information on VA’s approach to suicide prevention, visit VA’s website or read more in VA’s National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide. You can also read this full story on the VA News website.
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VA is awarding $26.8 million in legal services grants to more than 100 public and non-profit organizations with the goal of increasing access to legal services for eligible Veterans experiencing or at risk for homelessness.
Ending Veteran homelessness is a top priority for VA and the Biden-Harris Administration. These grant funds are part of VA’s Legal Services for Homeless Veterans and Veterans At-Risk for Homelessness Grant Program.
“Every Veteran deserves access to safe, affordable, and permanent housing, and we know that legal support is among the most needed services by Veterans experiencing or at risk for homelessness,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough.
Grant recipients will deliver a variety of legal services to Veterans, such as representation in landlord-tenant disputes to prevent eviction, assisting with court proceedings for child support, custody, or estate planning, and helping Veterans obtain benefits like disability compensation.
Legal services are one way VA is working to eliminate Veteran homelessness and meet the goal of placing at least 41,000 Veterans experiencing homelessness into permanent housing this year. Thanks in part to VA’s efforts, the number of Veterans experiencing homelessness has fallen by nearly 5% since early 2020 and by more than 52% since 2010. The department has also expanded access to health care for homeless Veterans and called for a moratorium on foreclosures for Veterans with VA-guaranteed loans.
For more information, including the list of this year’s grantees, visit Legal Services for Veterans, email lsv@va.gov, or read the full VA News story.
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COMMUNITY PROVIDERS: Thank you for all you do to support our Veterans.
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