Reminder to Veterans, 
     You should never pay an individual or an organization to file your VA disability or pension claim.  There are organizations and individuals that will make you big promises for a high fee.  This is against the law ... this is criminal and if you hear of people doing this they should be reported to the VA Office of the Inspector General.  

     Also, make sure you have an Accredited Representative to help you file claims.  Gillespie County Veterans Service Officer, Tami King, is Accredited with the Texas Veterans Commission, VFW and American Legion, and National Association of County Veterans Service Officers. 

     Please share this information with other Veterans who may fall victim to these criminals.

VAMC Kerrville Shuttle Schedule to VAMC Audie Murphy, San Antonio - Reservations Required 

VAMC Kerrville Shuttle Schedule     (Arrival Times Are Approximate as of:  16 Feb 2023) 
Schedule Your Seat on the Shuttle with the Travel Office (David): (830) 896-2020 ext. 12418 
(If you miss the shuttle coming back to Kerrville call Patient Travel Office at VAMC Audie Murphy, San Antonio: (210) 617-5300 ext. 15333) 
Departs Kerrville and Arrives At ALM 
7:30a.m. -  8:45 a.m. 
11:00a.m.   -  12:15 p.m. 
1:00 p.m.  -  2:15 p.m. 
3:00 p.m.  -  4:15 p.m. 
=================
Departs ALM and Arrives at Kerrville 
7:30 a.m.  -  8:45 a.m. 
11:00a.m.  -  12:15 p.m. 
1:00 p.m.  -  2:15 p.m. 
3:00 p.m.  -  4:15 p.m. 
=================
Pick up and Drop off Locations
at Kerrville – Canteen Entrance
at Audie L. Murphy – Outbound Lane Only except during inclement weather or severity of patient. 

Benefits:  VA Health Care Information

April 2024:  Updated VA Health Pact Act Slides - Expands VA Health Eligibility:  Click here to view the VA Health PACT Act slides.  This expands eligibility for VA health care and touches on the Presumptive Disability conditions for potentially filing for a VA Service Connected Disability.  If you think you are eligible to apply for a PACT Act disability, please call the Gillespie County Veterans Services Office for an appointment so we can help you determine what you are eligible for.  We will also help you file the claim.

April 2024:  VA Contracted Urgent Care Facilities in Fredericksburg & Kerrville - Click Here to view the flyer you take with you to a contracted VA Urgent Care provider along with your VA Health ID Card, which tells you about billing and pharmacy benefits.  This benefit is for Veterans who are ENROLLED IN VA HEALTH CARE.  Depending on your Enrollment Priority Group, you may have a COPAY.

Find out about your urgent care benefits and where you can go for urgent care treatment: 
https://news.va.gov/128934/everything-to-know-about-va-urgent-care/
To search for VA Contracted Urgent Care Locations:
https://www.va.gov/find-locations

Current VA Contracted Urgent Care Facilities:

  Frontera Fredericksburg Clinic
1426 E Main St Ste 300-400   Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Main number: 830-992-3725
Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm   Must make an appointment/No walk-ins
  Peterson Medical Associates 
130 W Main St.  Kerrville, TX 78028
Main number: 830-258-7669     Call to confirm services and hours

  Peterson Urgent Care LLC  

130 W Main St.,  Kerrville, TX 78028  
Main number: 830-258-7669   Call to confirm services and hours
   Franklin Urgent Care Center LP
723 Hill Country Dr Kerrville, TX 78028
Main number: 830-792-5800   Call to confirm services and hours

February 2024:  Delta Dental Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Program Information and Fact Sheet:  This Dental Insurance can be obtained by Veterans who are enrolled in VA Health Care.  If a Spouse has ChampVA insurance, then the spouse can obtain this insurance also (in this case the Veteran is rated at 100% or IU and received free dental care through the VA Health system).  

January 2024:  South Texas Veterans Health Care System COVID Vaccine Clinic Location Sites:  As of May 11, 2023, the Save Lives Act ended and South Texas VHCS is no longer providing COVID-19 vaccinations to caregivers, spouses or veterans not eligible to receive VA health care.  

Audie L. Murphy COVID vaccine clinic is closed. All vaccines should be requested from your Primary Care Clinic.  

Kerrville VA Medical Center, is offering the Pfizer Booster COVID-19 vaccination for enrolled Veterans, and VA employees, Monday through Friday, with walk-in availability in Primary care and GEM clinic scheduled from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Please check in with your PACT team.

The following outpatient clinics are offering vaccinations during operating hours:
North Central Federal Clinic – by walk-in Moderna only
Victoria Outpatient Clinic – by appointment, Moderna only
Balcones Height Outpatient Clinic – walk-in, Pfizer only
North Bexar Outpatient Clinic – walk-in, Pfizer only
South Bexar Outpatient Clinic – walk-in, Pfizer only
Shavano Park Outpatient Clinic – walk-in, Pfizer only
ALM 1G/IMC Outpatient clinic – walk-in, Pfizer and Moderna
San Antonio Northwest Health Care Outpatient clinic- walk-in, Pfizer only

November 2023:  All WWII Veterans are now eligible for no-cost VA health care and nursing home services:  VA health system to provide or pay for all WWII Veterans nursing home level care in a VA medical facility or VA medical facility contract with a civilian nursing home.  

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that all World War II Veterans are now eligible for no-cost VA health care, medical services, and nursing home care.  All WWII Veterans who served between Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946, are eligible under this expansion, regardless of their length of service or financial status. These Veterans will not have to pay copays, enrollment fees or monthly premiums.  VA is reaching out by phone and mail to encourage WWII Veterans who are not currently enrolled in VA care to apply today. Veterans who enroll may also keep their private providers, Medicare, and most other insurance to meet their health care needs.

“These members of Greatest Generation answered the call to serve when our nation – and the world – needed them most. Now, it’s our job to serve them in every way that we can,” said VA Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Shereef Elnahal. “We are proud to provide world-class, no-cost health care to these heroes at VA, and we encourage all of them to enroll today.”

All WWII Veterans are encouraged to enroll in VA health care – the best, most-affordable health care in America for Veterans. Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care are proven to have better health outcomes than non-enrolled Veterans, and VA hospitals have dramatically outperformed non-VA hospitals in overall quality ratings and patient satisfaction ratings. 

Veterans who were not approved for VA health care in the past due to income limits should apply again; income levels no longer apply due to this expansion. VA cannot automatically enroll these Veterans in health care; WWII Veterans must apply for VA health care if they are not currently enrolled.

This expansion is made possible through the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2022 (Cleland-Dole Act), signed in December 2022. To apply for VA health care, visit VA’s health care enrollment website, call 1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411), or visit your nearest VA medical center or clinic.

November 2023:  VA covers cost of Parkinson’s care for family members of Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune.  This is the link to the VA health system to apply for reimbursement of health costs: https://www.clfamilymembers.fsc.va.gov/  

VA announced that family members of Veterans exposed to contaminated drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune from Aug. 1, 1953 to Dec. 31, 1987 are now eligible for reimbursement of health care costs associated with Parkinson’s disease under the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program.  These family members are also eligible for health care reimbursement for esophageal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, multiple myeloma, renal toxicity, miscarriage, hepatic steatosis, female infertility, myelodysplastic syndromes, scleroderma, neurobehavioral effects, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“Veterans and their families deserve no-cost health care for the conditions they developed due to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune,” said VA’s Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal, M.D. “We’re proud to add Parkinson’s to the list of conditions that are covered for Veteran family members, and we implore anyone who may be living with this disease — or any of the other conditions covered by VA’s Camp Lejeune Family Member Program – to apply for assistance today.”  

Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune are also eligible for no-cost Parkinson’s health care and other VA benefits. Recent studies have also shown that the risk of Parkinson’s disease is 70% higher for Veterans stationed at Camp Lejeune.  Thanks to the PACT Act, the biggest expansion of Veteran health care and benefits in generations, Veterans and their families can also now file lawsuits for harm caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. To apply for health care reimbursement under the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program, visit the program website. To apply for Veteran benefits related to Camp Lejeune, visit VA.gov/CampLejeune.

July 2023:  VA Nursing Career Path with VA-STEP:  Their are great opportunities in the VA Health System for Nursing Careers and Nurse Practitioner Residency Programs.  For information about Scholarship Programs and information on Nursing Programs:   https://www.va.gov/south-texas-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/nursing-programs/

Current programs for current South Texas Health Care System nursing staff include the National Nursing Education Initiative (NNEI) – assistance with obtaining a BSN, MSN, DNP, or PhD; in addition to the VA National Education for Employees Program (VANEEP) – scholarship to current employees pursuing a degree or training in a healthcare discipline.

October 2022:  Family Caregiver Program Expands to All Veterans 1 Oct 2022.  Review the below handouts on the expansion of the VA Health Caregiver Program which has now expanded to all Veterans who have a service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher.  These funds are used to pay a family caregiver, and are not funds to pay a private caregiver.  The information tells you who you apply to at VAMC Audie Murphy, San Antonio, TX. 

Family Caregiver Expansion Program – Effective 1 Oct 2022 

Veterans Affairs Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers - Updated 1 Oct 2022

September 2022:  VA opens health care eligibility for Vietnam, Gulf War, post-9/11 Veterans under PACT Act.  

WASHINGTON — On Oct. 1, The Department of Veterans Affairs will expand and extend eligibility for VA health care for certain Veterans of the Vietnam War, Gulf Wars and post-9/11 era under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. This expansion increases health care eligibility for generations of toxic-exposed Veterans, giving them access to the health care they’ve earned and deserve.  The PACT Act is effective August 10, 2022.   
Beginning on Oct. 1, Post-9/11 Veterans who did not previously enroll in VA health care will have a 1-year window to enroll if they:  
 Served on active duty in a theater of combat operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War, or
 Served in a combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after Nov. 11, 1998, and 
 Were discharged or released from active service between Sept. 11, 2001, and Oct. 1, 2013.
Also on Oct. 1, the following groups of Veterans will be eligible for care:
Gulf War Veterans who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War. This includes Veterans who, in connection with service during such period, received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Service Specific Expeditionary Medal, Combat Era Specific Expeditionary Medal, Campaign Specific Medal, or any other combat theater award established by federal statute or executive order.
Vietnam-era Veterans who served in the following locations and time periods: The Republic of Vietnam between Jan. 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975; Thailand at any U.S. or Royal Thai base between Jan. 9, 1962, and June 30, 1976; Laos between Dec. 1, 1965, and Sept. 30, 1969; Certain provinces in Cambodia between April 16, 1969, and April 30, 1969; Guam or American Samoa (or their territorial waters) between Jan. 9, 1962, and July 31, 1980; Johnston Atoll (or on a ship that called there) between Jan. 1, 1972, and Sept. 30, 1977. 
Below is the Application for VA health care: VA form 10-10ez.  Make sure you attach a copy of your DD-214 and any other information to prove you were in a location listed above.  Also attach a copy of any health insurance cards.  Take your application to VAMC Kerrville, 1st Floor, Admissions Office to enroll.  Also Below are an explanation of Priority Groups and Copays, and a map of VAMC Kerrville. 

Health Benefits Application

2022 VA Health Care Priority Groups & Copays and Health Benefits Copay Rates for 2022

Kerrville VA Hospital Campus

April 2022:  OPTICAL SHOP AT VAMC KERRVILLE:  PDS Consultants (formerly Korrect Optical) is directly across from the Eye Clinic on 3d floor at VAMC Kerrville.  Heather is the optician.  Call 896-2020, ext. 12037 for an appt.  Hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.   
The optical shop is open to Family (& children) members and Surviving Spouses of Veterans and they will need to bring a current RX for their glasses.  Exam must be done at a private optical shop.  Significantly cheaper to get glasses at this optical shop than at a private optical shop.  Family members do not have to provide ID nor do they have to be accompanied by their veteran.   
Veterans who are NOT ENROLLED IN VA Health Care can also use this service and there will be a charge, and you must bring a current RX prescription from a private optical shop.
Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care and you need a current Eye Exam, call for an appointment at: (830)792-2581.  After your exam you will then be seen at the Optical Shop to pick out your glasses.  If you have had an exam from a private facility and you have a CURRENT RX prescription then just make an appointment with the Optical Shop.   
This Optical Shop is not open to the public.  

February 2022:  VA Health Travel Pay - Process Online with the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System: 

This is the link to the Travel Portal: https://eauth.va.gov/accessva/#forVeterans

Then click on: Veteran Travel Claim Entry and sign in with the partner access you have signed up for.  Remember that if you do not process it at the VA Medical Facility the day of your appointment, to do it at home.  Reminder:  This benefit is only for Veterans with a Service Connected Disability of 30% or higher (for all VA Health appointments) OR for Veterans who are being seen for a Service Connected Disability that is rated at 20% or less. 
February 2022:  Veterans Enrolled in VA Health Care: What to do if you go to the Civilian Emergency Room - click her for Infograph. 
January 2022:  VA Health Copayment debt relief available now: Medical Debt Relief: American Rescue Plan Copayments for medical care and pharmacy services resumed on October 1, 2021. Financial relief is available to Veterans.  Due to the passage of the American Rescue Plan in March 2021, copayments for medical care and pharmacy services provided by VA from April 6, 2020, through September 30, 2021, were canceled. If a payment was made to an account during this period, VA has issued a refund. For information on available debt relief options, please visit the Community Care Financial Hardship page or call the Health Resource Center.

Financial Hardship

Health Resource Center: 866-400-1238 Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET

 

For information on how to better understand your patient statement, please review Understanding your VA Patient Statement, VA Form 10-0246.

Gillespie County
Veterans Service Office
95 Frederick Rd Suite 200
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624

Telephone: (830) 997-3758
Fax: (830) 997-3245