This guide will cover VA MST screening questions, MST support and resources, and how the VA rates MST.
If you have experienced military sexual trauma (MST), it’s essential to understand you’re not alone and that help is available.
Since MST is an experience, not a diagnosis, it affects everyone differently.
The VA recognizes the significant impact MST can have on a veteran’s mental and physical health and has a screening process to help identify and support those affected.
According to the VA, MST refers to sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced during military service. Unfortunately, many cases of MST go unreported, so it’s challenging to know exactly how many veterans are affected.
However, researchshows that approximately 1 in 3 women veterans and 1 in 50 men veterans report experiencing Military Sexual Trauma (MST) during their Veteran Health Administration (VHA) screening. However, anonymous surveys have reported higher rates. It’s important to remember that anyone can experience MST, regardless of gender.
Examples of MST include, but are not limited to:
Being pressured or coerced into sexual activities, such as with threats of negative treatment for refusal to cooperate, or with promises of better treatment in exchange for sex
Sexual contact or activities without your consent, including when you were asleep or intoxicated
Being overpowered or physically forced to have sex
Being touched or grabbed in a sexual way that made you uncomfortable, including during “hazing” experiences
Comments about your body or sexual activities that you found threatening
Unwanted sexual advances that you found threatening
VA MST Screening Questions
You can expect the following MST screening questions as part of your confidential VA MST screening.
While you were in the military:
Did you receive uninvited and unwanted sexual attention, such as touching, cornering, pressure for sexual favors, or verbal remarks?
Did someone ever use force or threat of force to have sexual contact with you against your will?
Note on VA MST Screening Questions: An affirmative response for either is considered a positive screen for MST. However, a positive screen doesn’t indicate a veteran’s current subjective distress, diagnosis, interest in, or need for treatment.
Remember that VA healthcare providers should ask every veteran whether they experienced MST, especially since many don’t disclose this information unless asked directly.
MST VA Disability Ratings
While there is no specific VA rating for MST, you may qualify for VA disability for mental health conditions related to MST.
For example, many veterans experience MST and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), so you may be eligible for a PTSD VA rating. The VA rates PTSD at 0% to 100%, with breaks at 10%, 30%, 50%, and 70% under the § 4.130 Schedule of ratings—Mental disorders.
Average Disability Rating for MST
The average disability rating for mental health conditions, including PTSD related to MST, is often cited as 70%, but it’s possible to receive a 100% MST PTSD VA rating if you have total occupational & social impairment due to:
Gross impairment in thought process or communication
Persistent delusions or hallucinations
Grossly inappropriate behavior
Persistent danger of hurting yourself or others
Intermittent inability to perform day-to-day activities
Disorientation of time and place
Memory loss of names of close relatives, your occupation, or your own name
It’s important to understand that you don’t need to meet all the subjective symptoms listed above to receive a 100% MST VA Rating .
Service-Connecting MST
To receive an MST VA disability rating, you must establish a direct link between your condition and military service.
To establish service connection, you must:
Provide a medical diagnosis of your current disability
Provide evidence of an injury, disease, or aggravation that occurred during your military service
Establish a nexus (connection or link) between your in-service injury, disease, or aggravation and your present diagnosed disability through competent medical evidence (e.g., a Nexus Letter).
MST Support and Resources
If you’re an MST survivor, it’s crucial to remember that the VA is firmly committed to providing access to the required help you need. Services are designed to meet you where you’re in your recovery process.
VA MST-related services include, but are not limited to:
Every VA healthcare system has an MST coordinator to assist with MST-related issues.
There is no charge for the treatment of physical and mental health conditions related to MST. (You don’t have to be service-connected or have a VA disability rating to receive this care.)
MST-related counseling is available through community-based Vet centers.
There are nationwide programs that offer specialized sexual treatment in residential or inpatient settings.
To receive more information about available services:
Since MST can lead to various long-term health conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and other physical health issues, it’s crucial to receive the appropriate care and support.
Early identification through screening can help connect you with valuable services and resources, guiding you toward recovery and enhanced quality of life.
The most notable change is the complete restructuring of the GERD VA disability rating criteria.
Currently, the VA rates GERD analogous to Hiatal Hernia (Diagnostic Code 7346). This means they use the same criteria to evaluate and assign a rating percentage to GERD symptoms as they do for Hiatal Hernia symptoms.
Under this diagnostic code, GERD can be rated at 10%, 30%, or 60%, depending on the frequency, severity, and duration of your symptoms.
(Old)GERD VA Disability Rating Chart
7346 Hernia Hiatal
Rating
Symptoms of pain, vomiting, material weight loss and hematemesis or melena with moderate anemia; or other symptom combinations productive of severe impairment of health
60
Persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, accompanied by substernal or arm or shoulder pain, productive of considerable impairment of health
30
With two or more of the symptoms for the 30 percent evaluation of less severity
10
(New)GERD VA Disability Rating Chart
Beginning May 19th, 2024, the VA will rate GERD under its own Diagnostic Code, DC 7206. This is a new diagnostic code created specifically for rating GERD symptoms.
Under DC 7206, a GERD VA disability claim can be rated at 0%, 10%, 30%, 50%, or 80%, depending on your symptoms.
7206 Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):
Rating
Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia with at least one of the symptoms present: (1) aspiration, (2) undernutrition, and/or (3) substantial weight loss as defined by § 4.112(a) and treatment with either surgical correction of esophageal stricture(s) or percutaneous esophago-gastrointestinal tube (PEG tube)
80
Documented history of recurrent or refractory esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires at least one of the following (1) dilatation 3 or more times per year, (2) dilatation using steroids at least one time per year, or (3) esophageal stent placement
50
Documented history of recurrent esophageal stricture(s) causing dysphagia which requires dilatation no more than 2 times per year
30
Documented history of esophageal stricture(s) that requires daily medications to control dysphagia otherwise asymptomatic
10
Documented history without daily symptoms or requirement for daily medications
0
Note (1): Findings must be documented by barium swallow, computerized tomography, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy.
Note (2): Non-gastrointestinal complications of procedures should be rated under the appropriate system.
Note (3): This diagnostic code applies, but is not limited to, esophagitis, mechanical or chemical; Mallory Weiss syndrome (bleeding at junction of esophagus and stomach due to tears) due to caustic ingestion of alkali or acid; drug-induced or infectious esophagitis due to Candida, virus, or other organism; idiopathic eosinophilic, or lymphocytic esophagitis; esophagitis due to radiation therapy; esophagitis due to peptic stricture; and any esophageal condition that requires treatment with sclerotherapy.
Note (4): Recurrent esophageal stricture is defined as the inability to maintain target esophageal diameter beyond 4 weeks after the target diameter has been achieved.
Note (5): Refractory esophageal stricture is defined as the inability to achieve target esophageal diameter despite receiving no fewer than 5 dilatation sessions performed at 2-week intervals.
Are These Changes Good or Bad for Veterans?
Even though these changes increase the highest GERD VA disability rating from 60% to 80%, most veterans will not qualify for a GERD rating above 0% for claims filed after May 19th. This is because the new rating criteria requires the presence of esophageal stricture.
Esophageal strictureis an abnormal narrowing of the esophageal lumen, which causes difficulty swallowing. While esophageal stricture is the most significant and chronic symptom of GERD, not all veterans suffering from GERD have esophageal stricture. Many suffer primarily from other serious symptoms such as chronic cough or Laryngitis.
But unless they also suffer from esophageal structure, they won’t qualify for a VA rating under DC 7206.
Why is the VA Making These Changes?
According to the 57-page final ruling released by the VA, “the [intended] effect of this action is to ensure that the rating schedule uses current medical terminology and provides detailed and updated criteria for evaluation of digestive conditions for disability rating purposes.”
The ruling also cites the VA’s larger strategy of aligning evaluation criteria with a condition’s most chronic and debilitating symptoms
Will The New Rating Criteria Affect my GERD VA Disability Rating?
No, if you already have a GERD VA disability rating, these changes won’t affect your rating or any other VA benefits.
Anyone who is rated for GERD before May 19th, 2024, will be “grandfathered in” under the old rating criteria. You’ll keep your rating at the same compensation level.
Also, anyone who files for GERD before May 19th will be evaluated by whichever rating criteria is more favorable to them.
When is the GERD VA Disability Rating Change Effective Date?
The new GERD VA disability rating criteria is effective May 19, 2024.
Can You be Re-evaluated for GERD to Get a Higher Rating Under the New Criteria?
Yes, but it’s not recommended unless your symptoms qualify you for a higher rating on the scale.
In this case, if you aren’t certain you have esophageal stricture to the extent you could qualify for a rating higher than you already have, contacting the VA to be reevaluated could result in the VA lowering your GERD VA disability rating.
But if you’re confident you qualify for a higher GERD rating, you can file an increase claim.
Secondary Conditions to GERD
It’s also possible to increase your combined VA rating for GERD if you believe your GERD is responsible for a secondary condition.
A secondary condition is a medical condition that is caused or made worse by a disability that’s already rated by the VA. For example:
Your service-connected knee pain is causing your back pain
Your migraines are due to your service-connected tinnitus
Conditions that GERD can cause or aggravate include, but are not limited to:
Asthma
Migraines
Sleep Apnea
If you’re able to prove through medical evidence that your GERD caused or aggravated any of the above conditions (known as secondary service connection), you should consider filing a claim for a secondary condition.
Yes, many conditions and medications could be responsible for causing or aggravating GERD.
NOTE: Don’t stop taking any medications prescribed to you without first talking with your doctor.
GERD Secondary to Medications
In some cases, asthma medications such as Elixophyllin, Theo-24, NSAIDs, and Theochron can exacerbate acid reflux.
Drugs taken to treat anxiety and depression can also contribute to GERD by causing mucosal damage, reducing lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP), or affecting esophagogastric motility.
GERD Secondary to Asthma
According to a study published in The Gastroenterology and Hepatology Journal, there is a connection between acid reflux and Asthma. It’s difficult to say why, but it’s known that acid reflux can make asthma worse, and vice versa.
GERD Secondary to Anxiety
GERD can develop when mental health conditions, such as anxiety and panic disorder, lead to an overproduction of stomach acid.
GERD Secondary to PTSD
Similar to anxiety, GERD can develop when symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), such as stress and depression, lead to an overproduction of stomach acid.
Medications taken to treat PTSD can also lead to GERD as a side effect.
GERD Secondary to Migraines
If migraines are causing your GERD, it’s likely because of the medication you’re taking to treat them.
In fact, a study published in The Journal of Headache and Pain recommends that physicians “minimize prescribing NSAIDs or NSAID-containing acute migraine medications in this population” (referring to patients who also have GERD).
GERD VA Disability Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below we address several frequently asked questions about GERD and VA disability benefits:
What is GERD?
GERD is an acronym that stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is a severe case of acid reflux and occurs when stomach acid “backwashes” into your esophagus enough times to irritate the lining tissue.
A burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), usually after eating, which may worsen at night
Chest pain
Difficulty eating and swallowing
Regurgitation of food particles or sour liquid
The sensation of a lump in your throat
If you have nighttime GERD and acid reflux, you might also experience:
Chronic cough
Laryngitis
New or worsening asthma
Disrupted sleep and insomnia
How is GERD Diagnosed?
A qualified medical provider can diagnose GERD using:
Upper endoscopy. This is when a thin, flexible tube fitted with a light and camera is inserted into your throat to check your esophagus for signs of reflux and inflammation.
Ambulatory acid (pH) probe test. This is when a monitor is placed in your esophagus to identify when, and for how long, stomach acid regurgitates into your esophagus.
X-ray of the upper digestive system. GERD can be diagnosed using X-rays to track any reflux of a chalky liquid that coats and fills the inside lining of your digestive tract.
Esophageal manometry. This is a test designed to assess rhythmic muscle contractions in the esophagus during swallowing. It evaluates the coordination and strength of esophageal muscles and is commonly performed for individuals with difficulty swallowing.
Transnasal esophagoscopy. This test is done by putting a thin, flexible tube with a video camera through your nose and moving it down your throat into the esophagus.
NOTE: If you’ve received a GERD diagnosis but treatment isn’t helping, it’s a good idea to double check with a specialist that you’ve been correctly diagnosed. Gastrointestinal illnesses that don’t fit the mold of any diagnosable condition are sometimes mistakenly diagnosed as GERD.
If your condition doesn’t fit a known diagnosable condition, and you meet the minimum service requirements, you could be eligible for a VA rating for a presumptive condition.
How Many Veterans Have GERD?
According to publicly available data, as of 2023, the VA has rated more than 488,655 veterans for Hiatal hernia (DC 7346).
Because the VA has historically rated GERD using the rating criteria for Hiatal Hernia (DC 7346), it’s hard to say exactly how many of these ratings are for GERD.
This figure also only accounts for veterans who have successfully won their claim. It does not include veterans who haven’t filed or who have been denied.
How do You Service Connect GERD?
Service connection is when you can prove your military service caused your disability or made it worse. The VA will not award disability compensation if your service is not responsible for your condition.
All VA claims must have the same three things in order for your condition to be considered service-connected:
A current medical diagnosis of your condition. The VA can’t rate a condition that hasn’t been formally diagnosed.
Evidence of an in-service event, injury, disease, or aggravation. You need evidence showing that what you claim caused your disability occurred. This evidence can be military medical records or lay statements from people who were there.
A “nexus” (or link) between #1 and #2 via competent medical evidence. If you get a nexus letter, this link will usually be expressed using one of these statements of probability:
“Is due to” = 100% certain
“More likely than not” = greater than 50% certain
“At least as likely as not” = equal to 50% certain
This is because GERD is a structural condition and not a functional condition. Most presumptive conditions are functional conditions, meaning that there are symptoms present but no physical evidence of a condition. Structural conditions have symptoms and physical evidence of the condition.
Medical Evidence Wins VA Claims
Whether you need a Nexus Letter for GERD or another digestive condition, we make it EASY for veterans to connect with a licensed provider through our HIPAA-compliant telemedicine platform—anytime, anywhere!
From DBQs and nexus letters, to mental health and telemedicine evaluations, the team at Telemedica is standing by to serve you.
Tara Thompson PA-C is a board-certified Physician Assistant. She completed her training through Chatham University, graduating with a Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies Degree in 2007. Her work experience has been diverse and includes first assist in all surgical specialties, Plastic Surgery and ENT clinical work, and Emergency Medicine. She served as a Physician Assistant in the US Army from 2009-2021 and has been an expert in medical evidence for VA disability claims since 2019.
What veteran doesn’t want a higher disability rating? If that sounds appealing to you, then you want to consider having a VA Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) filled out by a licensed medical provider. A VA DBQ helps C&P examiners gather essential medical information to process a veteran’s disability claims.
While you aren’t required to submit a VA DBQ, it can potentially lead to a higher disability rating. This post will cover the basics of VA DBQs and whether your claim would benefit from one.
What is a VA DBQ?
Healthcare providers use a VA DBQ during exams, including the Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam, to help rate and record a veteran’s disability. The VA then obtains the DBQ from the physician to determine a disability rating.
A VA DBQ typically includes a diagnosis of the condition, past and present medications, signs and symptoms, and the functional impact of the condition.
Does the VA Still Accept DBQs?
The VA still accepts DBQs, and in 2021, they began allowing the use of public DBQs, meaning it was no longer required to have a VA or VA-contracted physician complete the form. Now, veterans can have their preferred doctor fill out a VA DBQ.
While any civilian provider can complete a VA DBQ, it’s best to go directly to your physician, as the VA has a higher value on their viewpoint. Some civilian doctors will refuse to complete a DBQ, but they can still address the questions on the form and add relevant information to your medical records.
What are Public VA DBQ Forms?
If you choose to have a civilian physician complete a VA DBQ, you provide them with a VA Public DBQ form. While it is highly recommended to obtain a VA DBQ, the VA won’t reimburse you for expenses related to an examination by your private doctor.
There are 71 Public DBQ forms, some specific to a condition, while others are more general. For example, the VA DBQ for Depression and Anxiety falls under the VA DBQ Mental Disorders, while the VA DBQ for Radiculopathy typically falls under the VA DBQ Back (Thoracolumbar Spine).
If your doctor can’t find your exact condition listed on a VA DBQ, they will find the one most closely related.
You must print out a VA DBQ form before visiting your doctor, which they will review and complete at your appointment. Once completed, you’ll keep a copy for your records and send the completed form to the VA. It’s always best to review the form before mailing it to ensure the information is accurate.
If you are a veteran seeking health benefits, obtaining a diagnosis through telehealth services can be the first step on your path to living a happier and healthier life.
At Telemedica, we understand the challenges involved in getting the care and treatment you need, and the VA benefits and compensation you deserve.
The first item on our agenda? Educating you on the advantages that veterans telehealth services can offer. Let’s dive into how a telehealth visit can help you receive medical evidence needed to file for your VA benefits.
Working with the VA: A Long & Complicated Process
How to Help a Family Member with Mental Illness
To obtain VA benefits for a mental or physical health condition, you must have medical evidence. While going directly to a VA facility might seem like the reasonable thing to do, working with the VA may turn into a long and challenging process.
Because the VA is a government entity, it adheres to stringent regulations—regulations that do not necessarily make the process of seeing a provider quick and easy. There are several hoops Veterans typically have to jump through to accomplish things like obtaining a diagnosis, obtaining medical evidence, or obtaining their benefits.
The most common roadblock? Long wait times. Receiving a diagnosis usually requires going to a VA clinic or hospital where the wait times tend to be much longer than civilian providers. According to one source, “the average wait time for a mental health appointment at the VA was 50 days.”
Moreover, if you live in a rural area, the scarcity of providers only makes it more challenging to receive prompt care.
The Solution: Getting Assistance via Veterans Telehealth Services
Fortunately, there is a solution to some of these barriers—telehealth services for veterans. Telehealth services can dramatically simplify and quicken the process of obtaining the treatment and benefits you deserve.
Here are four advantages that come with telehealth visits:
1. Prompt Quality Care
Telehealth offers access and convenience. Veterans can see medical specialists without leaving their homes and without having to endure long wait periods. Because of prompt care, the number of Veteran telehealth visits has been consistently increasing every year.
Take a look at the number of veterans who sought telehealth visits during the past few years:
2016: Approximately 700,000
2018: Approximately 2.3 million
2019: Approximately 2.6 million
With prompt care, Veterans can attain the benefits and care they need sooner rather than later—-in 2016 alone, Telehealth visits brought down VA hospital admissions by 31 percent.
2. Better Access
Do you live in a rural area? No problem. Approximately “45 percent of Veteran telehealth patients live in rural areas.” Telehealth provides quick and easy access to providers who can punctually get you what you need, no matter your geographic location.
For example, the Psypact enactment enables mental health providers to practice across twenty-two states (and this number is constantly growing). This can help veterans by giving them access to a broader range of providers.
Moreover, when veterans are seeking mental health care via telehealth, speaking with a provider in the comfort of your own home can help you feel more comfortable and lead to better quality care. Everyone’s experience is unique, so it’s important to gain access to customized care that works for you.
3. Veteran-Specific Services
Some telehealth visits entail veteran-specific telehealth services. These providers carry the expertise and experience to provide strong medical evidence that meets the VA’s rules and regulations. As they understand the needs of U.S. Military Veterans, telehealth providers can offer the compassion and care you need to confidently navigate through your journey to obtaining medical evidence.
4. Cost Savings
Let’s not forget the costs. Veterans can save roughly 60 to 70 percent when switching to telehealth services from traditional in-person appointments.
Co-pays for virtual appointments generally cost less. This does depend on your insurance and provider, so we recommend first speaking with your insurance company about virtual visit costs.
What We Offer
At Telemedica, we are proud to help open the door to high-quality telehealth services for Veterans. We understand time is of the essence and waiting around for required medical evidence should not be the norm.
As we know, to acquire VA benefits, you must have medical evidence or a diagnosis. Telemedica can connect you with our network of independently contracted providers who can provide telehealth examinations you might need. These assessments may result in a medical diagnosis of a mental health condition or 19 applicable medical conditions (ED, GERD, IBS, and more).
Schedule Your Telehealth Visit Today
Telemedica is a telehealth company by veterans for veterans. If you’d like to receive a medical/mental health assessment to boost your VA claim, reach out to our team today. We proudly connect veterans with our network of independently contracted providers and look forward to doing the same for you.
No one mistakes military service as easy, but not everyone recognizes just how greatly Veterans have sacrificed during their time in the service.
Fortunately, there are organizations out there that recognize the sacrifices our soldiers have made and they are working to give Veterans the support they need in their lives post-discharge.
Our team at Telemedica has gathered 25 trustworthy non-profit organizations that help veterans obtain a home, get a job, deal with substance use disorders, and heal both mentally and physically from injury and illness.
We believe in putting Veterans first, so here’s a list of organizations that do just that.
Veterans, especially those returning injured or ill, may need immediate, transitional, or permanent housing. These organizations help veterans receive, keep, or maintain their homes.
Habitat for Humanity Veterans Build works to build strength, stability, and self-reliance in partnership with Veterans who need decent and affordable housing.
Homes for Our Troops builds and donates specially adapted custom homes for severely injured Veterans.
Operation Homefront offers rent-free transitional housing for wounded service members and gives financial assistance for critical home repairs and rent/mortgage payments.
Job Support
Most Veterans don’t have a job lined up when they discharge. These organizations help veterans who are unemployed get back to work.
Hire Heroes USA gives personalized service to help Veterans get hired and aids companies with hiring and retaining Veterans.
Hiring Our Heroes connects veterans with American businesses to create economic opportunity and a strong and diversified workforce.
Getting scholarships, grants, and other financial assistance for education is a big benefit for Veterans. These organizations give educational help to Veteran students.
The American Legion Education Services lists Veteran education assistance opportunities and encourages Veterans to use their college search engine to find the best school for them.
Military OneSource can help Veterans find education benefits, including grants, scholarships, tax credits and deductions, and specialized programs.
Veterans Education Success helps Veteran students with education issues and works on a bipartisan basis to advance higher education success for Veterans.
Substance Use Disorder Support
The reasons behind substance use are complex, but these organizations know what is required to support Veterans overcome and begin the healing process.
DrugRehab provides information, resources, and treatment for people battling addiction and its underlying causes.
RehabSpot helps addicted veterans get their life back by educating on specific types of drugs and what rehab patients can expect during their journey to recovery.
Start Your Recovery understands how some elements of military culture, along with the stress of returning to the civilian world, can lead to substance use disorder, and provides helpful resources for coping.
Mental Illness Support
These organizations know that taking care of a Veteran’s mental health can drastically improve mood, reduce suicide ideation, and improve quality of life.
HeadStrong offers cost-free, barrier-free, and stigma-free mental health treatment for military Veterans and their families.
K9s for Warriors provides Veterans with trained service dogs in an effort to end Veteran suicide.
Veterans Crisis Line confidentially connects Veterans in crisis with caring, qualified responders 24/7.
Injury and Physical Illness Support
Unfortunately, some Veterans return home with an injury or illness. For physical support, look to these non-profit organizations that help Veterans.
Fisher House Foundation builds “comfort homes” where Veterans and their families can stay free of charge while they or a loved one is in the hospital.
Freedom Service Dogs of America raises the next generation of service dogs, and even lets Veterans watch the puppies learn and grow in real time.
Semper Fi Fund makes it easier for wounded Veterans to start new and productive lives using critical tools and skills.
Nursing Home Abuse Justice helps elderly Veterans in nursing homes who suffer from physical harm, financial exploitation, and even sexual battery.
Community Support
To feel fully transitioned and reintegrated, Veterans must be part of and supported by a community. Here’s a list of organizations that connect Veterans with others just like them.
NVF Women Veteran Support provides a positive starting point for navigating the transition into civilian life for female Veterans.
Salute, Inc supports and advocates for incarcerated Veterans.
Veterans of Foreign Wars fosters camaraderie among US Veterans and ensures they are respected for their service.
Telemedica: The Medical Evidence Experts
Did you know that medical evidence wins VA claims?
Whether you need a nexus letter for sleep apnea secondary to rhinitis or something else, we make it EASY for veterans to connect with a licensed provider through our HIPAA-compliant telemedicine platform—anytime, anywhere!
From DBQs and Nexus Letters to Psych Evals and Telemedicine Evaluations, the Telemedica team is standing by to serve you. Get the evidence you need to win your VA claim today.
Telehealth is one of the fastest-growing healthcare services in the world today.
Thanks to modern technological development, the telehealth industry now offers a wide variety of medical services, appointments, and previously inaccessible resources to the public. Today, patients can receive care for checkups, assessments, mental health evaluations, and more through telehealth platforms and telehealth-specific companies. Accessibility, convenience, and efficiency are just a few benefits that telehealth brings to the table for those who use telehealth services. But perhaps the most apparent benefit of telehealth is the cost-saving advantage.
When reliable care is accessible from the comfort of your own home, overall medical costs can be dramatically reduced.
People love to save money. People especially love to save money on the goods and services they already pay for anyway. If you asked around, you might be hard-pressed to find someone who wouldn’t be interested in saving money, no matter the product.
Patients who experience higher ticket prices for medical services are less likely to seek the needed medical care they deserve. Many would agree that a significant reduction in medical costs could positively impact their financial situation.
The blog below will reveal how veterans can genuinely benefit from using a virtual HIPAA compliant platform and save money through telehealth technologies.
Veterans already face many obstacles in their daily lives, and receiving affordable and convenient health care shouldn’t be one of them. Telehealth eliminates the need for high medical costs and lengthy wait times and allows veterans to get back to living a happy and healthy life.
So, can telehealth reduce overall costs for veterans?
Let’s find out!
How Telehealth Lowers Healthcare Costs
1. In-Person Appointments vs. Virtual Appointments
Comparing the cost-saving benefits of telehealth to traditional appointments.
In a study conducted by Red Quill Consulting, Inc., evidence showed that telehealth could indeed reduce overall costs for patients. For example, while the average price of an in-person appointment is between $136 and $176 per visit, the cost of a virtual telehealth appointment is approximately $50 on average.
That’s a total of 60% to 70% in savings!
One significant difference in the cost of an in-person appointment versus a telehealth appointment is the potential co-pay cost. Co-pays for virtual appointments are often lower in price than the co-pays for in-office visits.
It is important to note that the co-pay costs difference depends on both the insurance used and the healthcare provider. Before booking a telehealth appointment, please be sure to call your insurance company and your provider and ask about costs for your virtual healthcare visit.
This means that less than 1 in 5 patients needed subsequent appointments after the initial visit.
Fewer follow-up visits can mean lower appointment costs, which equals more money in your pocket!
2. Receiving Care Promptly
Obtaining medical evidence is faster and easier than ever.
Some providers who treat veterans may not have the availability to take on new patients for several months or may not accept new patients for extended periods of time.
The demand for veteran-focused health care outweighs the current number of specialized health care providers that offer in-person appointments.
When there is a shortage of specialists available for veterans, telehealth can provide relief.
In some cases, telehealth appointments can be booked the same day or within just a few days of needing the appointment. When veterans receive prompt medical care, they can often solve their medical needs sooner. Once the veteran obtains the medical evidence they need, they can then file their disability claim with the VA.
Telehealth empowers veterans by providing them with timely access to health care services.
Instead of having to wait months for an available provider, the veteran can proactively move one step closer to a potential disability claim increase on their terms.
3. Faster Turnaround Times for Obtaining Medical Evidence
Current telehealth technologies allow veterans to gain near-instant access to the help they need.
Connecting with a licensed provider or medical professional has never been easier. Many aspects of in-person appointments (from traveling to the appointment to receiving medical evidence or lab results) can significantly delay clinical outcomes. But with the rapid advancement of telehealth services, the time between the appointment and those clinical outcomes can be reduced considerably.
Some veterans need a quick solution for obtaining medical evidence for their disability claim submission. Many veterans’ disability claims are denied due to a lack of medical evidence.
Many veteran-focused telehealth companies understand that there may be time constraints for a client’s VA disability claim.
Because of this, they will often offer faster turnaround times than a traditional or private provider could provide. Additionally, some companies provide expedited medical evidence (for an additional fee).
The companies that focus solely on veteran clients, and specialize in veterans’ needs, can provide independent medical opinions in as little as 48 hours. Some of the companies that offer fast turnaround times for medical evidence include Telemedica LLC and American Medical Experts.
4. Fewer Work Days Missed – Time Is Money
Convenient and accessible medical appointments.
Telehealth also can save patients money over time by reducing the number of workdays missed for scheduled appointments. In-person medical appointments can sometimes take several hours. Attending a doctor’s appointment may mean having to take a partial or full-day off work, depending on the appointment type. For hourly or contracted workers, this can result in money lost and be detrimental to the patient’s financial situation.
However, through telehealth, these missed workdays are being significantly reduced.
Telehealth allows patients to quickly log on to a HIPAA compliant platform for an appointment at the touch of a button with convenience and instant access. This accessibility gives the patient flexibility for their appointment time and location.
For example, the patient could schedule their appointment just before or after their work shift and meet with the provider via video conference in their car, home, or a designated private location.
Traveling to and from a doctor’s office, sitting in a waiting room, and waiting for prescriptions all takes time. Telehealth eliminates the wait and commute and gets right down to what’s important – you, your time, and your money.
As the saying goes, time is money, and by saving you time, telehealth can undoubtedly save you money.
5. Telemedicine Saves Travel Distance & Time
Virtual appointments help veterans save on travel costs.
In this study, researchers examined all telemedicine visits conducted from the Veterans Affairs hospital in White River Junction, VT, between 2005 and 2013. Their objective was to calculate the cost-saving benefits in VA telemedicine volumes over time. All telemedicine visits based at the White River hospital were reviewed (5,695 visits). Travel distance and time saved were calculated in this study.
The study concluded that telehealth visits resulted in an average travel savings of 145 miles and 142 min per visit. This data equaled a total of 824,724 miles saved in travel and 13,400 hours of driving for all veterans who participated in the study.
This reduction in driving time and distance translated into an average of $28.86 in savings per telemedicine visit, or $18,555 savings per year.
According to a 2015 article published by the RAND Corporation, veterans travel an average of 14.5 miles one way to access veteran-specific medical care. For 14.5 miles traveled, at an average speed of 45 mph, it would take the veteran approximately half an hour to arrive at their destination. Factor in traffic, time of day, and varying speed limits, and the time spent traveling can add up quickly.
By the time the veteran arrives back home, it can take them well over an hour just to travel to and from their appointment.
A separate study conducted by various international universities outlines the impact that telemedicine programs have on the well-being of the planet and all telehealth patients’ financial health. The research gathered from 2015 to 2019 shows that the patient saved a considerable amount of travel time and reduced fuel consumption while still receiving quality care.
Several benefits outlined in the study include: + A total of 1,928 hours of travel time saved in 2016 + 15.2 tons of CO2 emissions reduced in 2016 + An average of $622 saved annually in overall fuel costs and parking fees + An average savings of $86.13 per appointment
6. Telehealth & Clinical Outcomes
Telehealth can connect providers with veterans who live in rural or remote areas.
Outside of a city’s metropolitan area, there may not be many specialists available to veterans. However, with remote services, veterans can receive care that is comparable to an in-person appointment. The goal is not to save the health care system money but to improve patient care. A study by The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality concluded that telehealth’s clinical outcomes were either equal to or better than those of patients who received in-person care.
As we begin to look at the specific benefits of telehealth across all types of care, there is evidence that telehealth produces better clinical outcomes for veterans with certain mental health conditions. Veterans living in rural areas are less likely to receive mental health care than those living in the city.
Still, telehealth gives veterans easy access to mental health care professionals no matter where they live.
Telehealth can also eliminate the stressors of travel for patients with situational and social anxiety.
It may be difficult for some veterans to describe their symptoms adequately if they feel uncomfortable. But through telehealth, the veteran can attend the appointment on their terms and decide when and where they feel most comfortable talking with a provider. A comfortable client means a successful and productive evaluation, which leads to better clinical outcomes over time.
When the provider can identify the veteran’s needs and ailments through open and honest communication, fewer follow-up visits and, therefore, fewer co-pays and appointment fees are incurred.
The Bottom Line
In the past several years, many American Veterans have begun to use virtual health care for a wide variety of medical needs. The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) found that in 2019, 2.6 million virtual health care episodes were conducted, and 900,000 veterans used telehealth platforms in the same year. These numbers show us that telehealth is quickly becoming a valuable and highly sought-after choice for veterans.
Telehealth creates ease and accessibility for veterans and can facilitate a relaxed and productive appointment.
When patients can receive health care without leaving their homes, the savings start to add up in significant ways. Technological advancements have certainly opened the doors to a brighter and healthier future – one where potentially all veterans can receive the medical care they deserve without sacrificing time, quality, or money.
**It is important to note that telehealth should be used as a substitution rather than a replacement for veterans with physical or mental health concerns. It is recommended that patients who use telehealth services should still schedule an in-person appointment at least once a year for a physical check-up. If you have a serious health concern, call your doctor or visit the nearest health care facility.
