If you are enrolled and receive your health care with VA, you will receive the same, consistent care, whether at your local VA treatment site or an alternate VA site of care. To help VA ensure consistent care while you are traveling, you need to notify your VA Patient Aligned Team (PACT), preferably four to six weeks prior to departure or as soon as you are aware of the trip.

Early planning will allow time for PACT and the Traveling Veteran Coordinator to coordinate you care at an alternate VA facility. To coordinate your health care with another VA health care facility, you should inform your PACT of your travel destination(s) and temporary address, a valid telephone number, arrival and departure dates, and specific care concerns.

Your PACT will contact the Traveling Veteran Coordinator, who will assist in coordinating your care at the alternate facility. For more information, contact your PACT or Traveling Veteran Coordinator at your local VA facility. (Source: Veterans Health Administration Update | July 21, 2016)

By Thomas Crisp

Contributing Columnist

Thomas Crisp is a retired military officer from Whitmire. His veteran updates can be found weekly in The Newberry Observer.