Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center - Houston, Texas

Michele Farrow:

Thank you for having us

Cindy George: 

So, let's start with a question about assistance for our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Let's say the person just doesn't seem right after the experience. Is there someone the veteran can talk to?

briggetteallen: 

Thanks for having us today.

Michele Farrow: 

Veterans Chat, an internet adjuncct to VA's Suicide Prevention program.Veterans Chat is available from 3-10 p.m. while the Suicide Prevention Hotline is availabel 24 hours a day seven days a week.   Websit at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org *

[Comment From ArmyMarkArmyMark: ] 

I live in The Woodlands. Where is the nearest VA hospital for people who live in norht Harris Co?

briggetteallen: 

We have a outpatient clinic in Conroe, Texas.

Cindy George: 

I see lots of programs online  on the Veterans Administration Health web site.

Cindy George: 

Army Mark -- What's your zip code?

briggetteallen: 

The address is
VA Conroe Outpatient Clinic
800 Riverwoord Court
Conroe, Texas 77304
(936) 522-4000

[Comment From ArmyMarkArmyMark: ] 

77381

Cindy George: 

Find the closest VA medical or health care center with the VA's Facility Locator. It looks like you can enter your zip code and find the closest 5 facilites.

[Comment From khamiltonkhamilton: ] 

where are the resources for homeless women vets

Cindy George: 

Here are the five closest to ArmyMark:

1)

Conroe VA Outpatient Clinic

View Map:  
Yahoo!* | MapQuest* | Google*

800 Riverwood Ct Ste 100  
Conroe,   TX   77304

Approximate distance of   11 miles

2)

Houston National Cemetery

View Map:  
Yahoo!* | MapQuest* | Google*

10410 Veterans Memorial Dr.  
Houston,   TX   77038

Approximate distance of   18.2 miles

3)

Houston Vet Center (Veterans Resource Center)

View Map:  
Yahoo!* | MapQuest* | Google*

701 N. Post Oak Road Suite 102  
Houston,   TX   77024

Approximate distance of   27.7 miles

4)

Houston Vet Center

View Map:  
Yahoo!* | MapQuest* | Google*

2990 Richmond Suite 325  
Houston,   TX   77098

Approximate distance of   30.9 miles

5)

Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center

View Map:  
Yahoo!* | MapQuest* | Google*

2002 Holcombe Blvd.  
Houston,   TX   77030-4298

Approximate distance of   33 miles

Michele Farrow: 

Please contact our Health Care for Homeless Veteran Program at 713 794-7848.   They will be happy to assist you

[Comment From ArmyMom_2ArmyMom_2: ] 

are there any income limitations that would prevent a veteran from receiving medical or prescription benefits from VA?

Cindy George: 

There's also an entire page on the VA web site about homeless services. Click here. The site includes information about programs provided by the federal government and private organizations.

Cindy George: 

You can find VA health care, benefits  and eligibility enrollment information here. Take the Quick Eligibility Check quiz, which will  give you an  idea about what benefits you could receive.

briggetteallen: 

In January 2003, VA made the difficult decision to stop enrolling new Priority Group 8, this   is based on your gross   annual houshold income.   However new regulations   as of June 2009 has increase the allowable gross annual income by ten percent of the VA income theshold.   To get the exact income level, please contact the VA Eligibility Office at 713-794-7288.

[Comment From prdad007prdad007: ] 

A friend mentioned something about a "Peace Officer", someone to talk with concerning PTSD Symptoms at the VA Houston. Can you help?

Michele Farrow: 

We have a Trauma Recovery Program that offers comprehensive treatment to V eterans with a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder or a related disorder.   This program   provides a wide range of services to help Veterans better manage their sysmptoms.   TRP uses a tema approach because brining together professional from psychiatry, nursing, social work, psychology, and other discipliness allows the program to better assess, plan for, and treat Veterans seeking assistance.   You can each them at 713 794 7848

[Comment From RowdyRowdy: ] 

Good Luck getting an answer to that one---Armymom-2....

briggetteallen: 

Priority Group 8, generally includes veterans with higher income.

[Comment From StevenSteven: ] 

My father is an Army veteran. What can I do to make sure he won't into any issues with his medical and dental benefits? I don't think he's been for a while now, but he's recently retired and might be using them soon

Michele Farrow: 

If he has not enrolled please contact our Eligibility Office

briggetteallen: 

VA Eligibility Office at 713-794-7288 or va.gov 

Cindy George: 

A lot of people wonder, I think, how far VA benefits extend when veterans turn 65 and qualify for Medicare. What happens then? Can they receive Medicare AND VA benefits at 65 and older?

[Comment From prdad007prdad007: ] 

To Steven: He's going to run into issues. That's just part of the system. But, get him started well before he needs the services.

Cindy George: 

Here's a step by step explanation about Determining Your Eligibility, from the Va web site.

[Comment From WoodlandsRobWoodlandsRob: ] 

I recently got out of the Army. Does the free health benefits for (5 years i think) cover things that have happened after I got out of the army? (sickness, injury etc)

briggetteallen: 

Woodlands Rob,
If you are a returning combat veteran, who served in the combat theater, and you received a Honorable Discharge, then you are eligible for cost free healthcare for any medical conditions that are directly related to your military service.

[Comment From RowdyRowdy: ] 

I'm a 8 yr--Air Force Vet--(59-67)--and have been turned down Twice---for Med/Pharmacy from the VA--because and I Quote." Nothing happened to you--and you made too much Money"... This directly from VA office on Holcombe.... ..

Michele Farrow: 

Rowdy:   Please contact our Consumer Affairs Office at 713 794-7884 so that we can look into this denial,

Cindy George: 

Here's an interesting, though lengthy,  95-page document that explains the ncome  thresholds BY COUNTY for every state based on income, dependents, median income for a family of 4 in each county — and a few other factors —  for higher-income vets. That might help you a little bit, Rowdy.

Michele Farrow: 

Rowdy:   you can file an administrative appeal   or clinical appeal depending on the type of denial you have receivded.   Please again contact our Consumer Affairs Office

Cindy George: 

If a loved one is having surgery at the DeBakey VA hospital in Houston, is there somewhere for the veteran's relatives to stay?

Michele Farrow: 

The MEDVAMC is fortunate to have housing options availale for those Veerans and their families who have a medical need for temporary lodgin.   Becausde of the large number of Veterans we serve, we cnnot guaranteehoursing will be available for everyone.   There are also restrictions on lengths of stay. Criteria is as follows 1.   Housing is mediclaly necessary for pre- or post-care. 2.   Be medically stable and capable of self-care or be accompanied by a caregiver ab le to prov ide care; 3. Be required to travel more than 100 miles frm their home to the Houston VA; 4.   Can stay in an unsupervised setting.   Please contact either your referring physician or the social worker on the nursing unit ore clinical area.

[Comment From FreddyFreddy: ] 

How do I apply? Do I have to go to a physical office?

Cindy George: 

Mark Paul -- The ladies will answer your question about volunteers at the DeBakey VA hospital, but here's the VA Application for Voluntary Service.

briggetteallen: 

You can apply for enrollment at any VA health care facility, VA Regional Office or the Veteran Service Office, or you may apply via the Internet at www.va.gov.   You can apply in person, by mail or on the VA web page.   Your completed application form must be signed and dated, you can visit us in person, or mail it in or fax it to us at 713-794-8752.

[Comment From mark Paulmark Paul: ] 

I have tried to do volunteer work at the VA and I have left numersous messages but to no avail on call backs. Who is running the Volunteer desk and why do they not call back? Thanks

Michele Farrow: 

Mark Paul:   Pleased contact our Manager of   Volunteer Office, Bryan Dyck at 713 794-713

Michele Farrow: 

Mark Paul:   Sorry here is the full # 713 794-7135

Cindy George: 

Mark Paul -- Her's a listing of volunteer assignments at the DeBakey VA hospital.

[Comment From KilkennyKilkenny: ] 

The income thresholds do not apply for Cat 2 vets do they?

Michele Farrow: 

Kilkenny:   Not sure what you are asking in referrence to CAT 2

[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 

As a reservist, how long after deployment am I eligible for military healthcare?

briggetteallen: 

As a Reservist, you must be called or ordered to active duty service per an Executive Order issued by the President of the United States and complete the active duty sercie you were ordered to with a Honorable or General Discharge.   This must be stated on your DD214, member copy 4.

Cindy George: 

Kilkenny -- Do you mean Priority Group 2?

Cindy George: 

Kilkenny -- Priority Group 2 includes veterans with VA service-connected disabilities rated 30% or 40% disabling. Is that what you're asking about? If so, we've got an answer.

[Comment From KilkennyKilkenny: ] 

Priority 2..30% rating already

[Comment From KilkennyKilkenny: ] 

Yes. That is what I am referring to.

Michele Farrow: 

Kilkenny:   Not an income treashold

[Comment From BobBob: ] 

As a national guardsman who was deployed, how long am I eligible for military healthcare after my deployments?

briggetteallen: 

As a National Guard, who was deployed you become eligible upon your release from active military duty.   If you were in a combat theater, you are eligible for cost free healthcare for 5 years for any medical conditions related to your combat service.

[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 

I got out of the Service in the early 70s and have never used the VA for medical care since I have always had medical insurance. I may be without insurance in the near future. Can I get medical help from the VA if that happens?

Cindy George: 

Since it's been brought up, the VA ranks veterans' elibility in  eight categories with Priority Group 1 being the highest priority and Priority Group 8 the lowest. Group 8 also has subpriority groups. For more about which veterans fall into what groups, click on VA Health Care Enrollment Priority Groups.

[Comment From Bill FortBill Fort: ] 

I got out of the service in the early 70s and have never used the VA medical services because I have always had insurance. That may change soon. Can I still get VA medical benfits if that happens?

briggetteallen: 

Please contact our VA Eligibility Office at 713-794-7288.

[Comment From KilkennyKilkenny: ] 

Thanks

[Comment From BobBob: ] 

I was called up and sent to Afghanistan to fight (yes, there were real bullets flying around there two years ago, too). Anyway, I have my DD214, etc. I have heard that I have enhanced VA medical benefits for the five years since my last deployment to a combat zone. Oh, and I don't have any disabilities. Thanks

briggetteallen: 

Please contact our OEF/OIF Team at 713-794-8825 and   they are ready to assist you.

Cindy George: 

H1N1 -- I just couldn't resist. The swine flu vaccine is available in limited quantities to high-risk veterans. For more information, contact your VA primary care provider.

briggetteallen: 

Bob,
It sounds like you are eligible as a combat veteran;therefore we hope you will contact our OEF/OIF Team at 713-794-8825.   They are ready to assist you.

Cindy George: 

What an informative and timely discussion! Thanks to all who participated. We appreciate Briggette Allen and Michele Farrow for sharing their expertise with the community. You can find more information about veterans health at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) web site.

Veterans: We hope today’s chat gives you more insight about your health. Thanks for joining us and continue to read the Houston Chronicle, chron.com * and MedBlog.

Will Radcliffe: 

This window will automatically become a transcript once the live chat is over.