Ascension Sites of Care Now Veteran Providers Outside VA

ST. LOUIS, March 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascension, the nation's largest nonprofit healthcare system and the world's largest Catholic health system, today announced a national partnership to provide care through the Veterans Choice Program, giving veterans the choice to receive care at Ascension locations across the country.

Now qualified U.S. veterans who face wait times in excess of 30 days at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or have to travel farther than 40 miles from their home can receive care from Ascension doctors at 2,000 sites of care in 24 states and the District of Columbia.

"Ascension doctors, hospitals and clinics are humbled to be able to provide care to veterans through the Veterans Choice Program," Anthony R. Tersigni, Ed.D., FACHE, Ascension President and Chief Executive Officer, said. "Just as veterans take an oath, our doctors are committed to providing quality care and services, particularly to those most in need."

The Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 established funding to pay for healthcare services provided to veterans by private healthcare providers. Through the partnership, Ascension physicians and other caregivers are authorized to provide primary care, inpatient and outpatient specialty care, and mental health care for eligible veterans outside of VA.

"As Ascension further integrates our systems of care nationwide, we are collaborating across healthcare to provide personalized, compassionate care to all, including our veterans," Tersigni said. "We welcome veterans to visit our doctors and hospitals in their local community."

Ascension has established a contractual agreement with TriWest Healthcare Alliance and national provider registration with Health Net Federal Services, LLC — both are federal contractors to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As Veterans Choice Program contractors, TriWest and Health Net are designated by VA to implement the Veterans Choice Program and provide eligible veterans access to care in their community when the local VA facility cannot readily provide care.

Nearly 9 million veterans received the Veterans Choice Card. Use of the card is strictly voluntary; veterans who qualify for VA healthcare can continue to receive care at a VA medical facility as they have in the past. The program will end when the allocated funds of $10 billion are used or no later than August 7, 2017.

Veterans can determine eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program at http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/ or by calling the number on their Choice Card, 1-866-606-8198. They can also contact the Ascension National Veterans Call Center at 1-844-623-3003, for more information about Ascension and the care we provide or for assistance scheduling an appointment with a local Ascension provider who is participating in the Veterans Choice Program.

U.S. veterans, Ascension patients and caregivers who are interested in learning more about the Veterans Choice Program are encouraged to visit www.ascension.org/veterans.

About Ascension

Ascension (www.ascension.org) is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As the largest non-profit health system in the U.S. and the world's largest Catholic health system, Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all persons with special attention to those who are struggling the most. In FY2015, Ascension provided nearly $2 billion in care of persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs. Approximately 160,000 associates and 36,000 aligned providers serve in 2,000 sites of care – including 137 hospitals and more than 30 senior care facilities – in 24 states and the District of Columbia. In addition to healthcare delivery, Ascension subsidiaries provide a variety of services and solutions including physician practice management, venture capital investing, treasury management, biomedical engineering, clinical care management, information services, risk management, and contracting through Ascension's own group purchasing organization.

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SOURCE Ascension