How Veterans Can Get Health Care at Home
You received discharge paperwork saying follow up in two weeks but veterans need coordinated home care starting day one
Hospital discharge without proper home-based support leads to preventable readmissions, medication errors, and falls for hundreds of veterans. By Tuesday after discharge, many veterans are back in the emergency room despite having access to comprehensive VA home health benefits.
Veterans have earned comprehensive home health benefits through the VA system, but most don't know how to access them. What we see consistently is that veterans with coordinated home-based support stay home, while veterans without it cycle back through the hospital system.
Veterans with coordinated home-based support stay home instead of cycling back through the hospital system
Medication Management Prevents Readmissions
A home health nurse ensures medications are taken correctly and monitors for side effects that require immediate attention. This prevents dangerous drug interactions that send veterans back to the ER.
Fall Prevention Through Professional Assessment
An occupational therapist evaluates the home environment while a home health aide assists with bathing and transfers. This prevents the falls that account for thousands of veteran readmissions each year.
VA Benefits Are Earned Rights
If you served and were separated under conditions other than dishonorable, you likely qualify for VA home health benefits. Enrollment in VA health care is the foundation for accessing these services.
Get Professional Home Care Today
Don't wait for a crisis to get the home-based medical support you've earned. Call (516) 806-2223 to discuss how professional home care can keep you safe and independent.
In-Home Physician Care
Same-day urgent care appointments, in the home
Home-based physician visits for older adults and veterans. Call and get a same-day appointment. Serving NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Putnam, and Duchess counties.
| Request a Home Visit | or call (516) 806-2223 |
Veterans deserve safe, coordinated care in their own homes across the NYC metro area and Hudson Valley. Call (516) 806-2223 or request a home visit to discuss how we can provide the professional support that prevents dangerous readmissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the VA pay for home health care?
Yes, the VA will pay for approved home health care services for eligible veterans. If you are enrolled in the VA health care system and a VA provider determines you have a clinical need for care at home, the cost of services through programs like Home Based Primary Care or Homemaker and Home Health Aide Care is covered by your VA benefits. There are typically no copays for these services.
Who qualifies for VA housebound benefits?
Housebound is a special monthly pension benefit, not a home care program. It is paid to veterans who receive a VA pension and are substantially confined to their immediate premises because of a permanent disability. While a veteran receiving housebound benefits likely also qualifies for home health care, the two are separate. You must apply for the housebound pension benefit separately through the Veterans Benefits Administration.
Can a family member be paid as a caregiver in VA?
Yes, the VA has programs that allow family members to be paid for their caregiving work. The Veteran Directed Care (VDC) program provides a veteran with a budget to hire their own personal care aides, which can include a son, daughter, or other relative. The Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) also offers a monthly stipend and other support for caregivers of eligible veterans who were seriously injured in the line of duty.
Are all veterans eligible for home health care?
No, not all veterans are automatically eligible for home health care. Eligibility is based on two key factors: you must be enrolled in the VA health care system, and a VA clinical provider must determine that you have a medical need for the service. A veteran who can safely manage all their daily activities without assistance would not qualify, regardless of their service history.
Taking Control of Your Care at Home
Securing the support you need to recover safely at home is possible. The first step is understanding that your Veterans home health benefits eligibility is primarily determined by your medical needs, not just your veteran status. By knowing the different programs the VA offers, from the comprehensive Home Based Primary Care to the flexible Veteran Directed Care program, you can better advocate for yourself.
The process may seem to have many steps, but it begins with a single, important conversation with your care team. From my experience helping veterans transition home, I know that having a clear plan and a strong advocate makes all the difference. Our goal is to ensure no veteran falls through the cracks or is left to figure this out alone. You have earned this support.
Take the first step toward a safer recovery. Talk to your VA social worker or primary care team today to start the conversation about your care needs.
Surrogate Family Care
Premal Jani, MD · Home-Based Medicine · NYC Metro & Hudson Valley
Dr. Jani and the Surrogate Family Care team specialize in preventing hospital readmissions through coordinated home-based medical care. We provide in-home physician visits, same-day urgent care, homemaking, personal care, skilled nursing, and therapeutic services for older adults and veterans across NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Putnam, and Duchess counties since 2013.
Next Step
Request In-Home Care Services
Homemaking, personal care, companion care, skilled nursing, therapeutic services, and home-based physician visits. Serving NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Putnam, and Duchess counties.
| Request Services | or call (516) 806-2223 |
