DAV Department of Massachusetts operates a fleet of vehicles to provide free transportation to VA medical facilities for injured and ill veterans to fill the gap created when the federal government terminated its travel program.

The idea of service to VA Bedford came through conversations between MeVa Transit and Merrimack Valley Veterans Collaborative vision committee members identifying a transportation service gap across the Merrimack Valley region for Veterans and their families who needed to access care. MeVa Transit was perfectly positioned to close this gap with their Medi MeVa van service and joined the MVVC’s September meeting with an idea of a service plan going forward.

• Click here for the Press Release

“As public transit professionals, MeVa was able to quickly design a program that would immediately address the need presented by the local veteran services community. We have created a program that is easy to use, without forcing our Veterans and their families to fill out excessive paperwork to access this service. Veterans and their families just have to call our offices to get set up in our reservation system,” said Amy Jenkins, Director of miniMeVa services at MeVa Transit.

Veterans who are rated as 100% service-connected, who have a compensable service-connected dental disability, or who meet other requirements are eligible to receive VA Dental Care from the VA, including through the VA Community Care Network.

For veterans who are not eligible for free VA dental care, the VA offers the VA Dental Insurance Program. VADIP offers discounted private dental insurance for VA-enrolled veterans and current and surviving spouses and dependent children of service members and veterans who are enrolled in CHAMPVA.

• VADIP plans are offered through Delta Dental and MetLife. After selecting a plan, eligible beneficiaries can enroll online through the plan’s website.

Dental coverage through TRICARE is also separate from medical coverage and your plan depends on who you are and whether you are on active duty.

• Service members on active duty (including Guard and Reserves activated for more than 30 days in a row) are covered by active duty dental benefits.

• Families of active duty service members and Guard and Reserves not activated can enroll in the TRICARE Dental Program at any time.

• Retired service members, families, and survivors may be eligible for FEDVIP Dental.

• Survivors may also be covered by the TRICARE Dental Program Survivor Benefit.

• Adult children enrolled in TRICARE Young Adult are not eligible for dental benefits.

Other dental insurance options and resources for accessing dental and hygiene clinics that provide reduced cost oral health care are also available in Massachusetts.

• Dental Insurance Resources

• Community Health Centers with Dental Care

• Dental School/Dental Hygiene School Clinic Sites

• MassHealth Dental Benefits

Humana Military provides health care services for TRICARE health plans, pharmacy, and dental benefits in the Eastern Region of the US. Plans include TRICARE Prime, Prime Remote, Prime Overseas, Prime Remote Overseas, and the TRICARE US Family Health Plan; TRICARE Select, Select Overseas, and Reserve Select; TRICARE For Life; TRICARE Retired Reserve; and TRICARE Young Adult.

National Guard and Reservists’ report experiencing unexpected changes with their TRICARE plans (and associated network of providers) unexpectedly, and experiencing delays updating their status when they transition to/from active duty, which impacts the plans they are eligible for. Beneficiaries should try to maintain current information in DEERS.

If you or a service member you work with is having challenges navigating TRICARE and/or coverage changes, or you have questions about what to expect, you can contact Mark Wasnock with our Healthcare Resource Network for support understanding the various plans/issues.

TRICARE For Life is a benefit available only to retired military and their families. It includes processing of all TRICARE claims for those eligible for both TRICARE and Medicare.

US Family Health Plan of Southern New England is a TRICARE Prime option available for family members of active-duty service members and retired service members under 65 and their family members. The plan offers extras like chiropractic care and discounts on acupuncture, gyms, and eyewear.

To be eligible for CHAMPVA, you cannot be eligible for TRICARE. You must be the spouse or child of a veteran with a permanent and total service-connected disability rated by VA, or the surviving spouse or child of a veteran who had a permanent and total service-connected disability rating when they died or whose death was service-connected.

Although mostly excluded due to TRICARE eligibility, some surviving spouses and children of service members who died in the line of duty (not due to misconduct) may be eligible.

Primary Family Caregivers participating in the VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Caregivers who aren’t otherwise entitled to care or services under a health care plan may be eligible.

Surviving spouses become ineligible for CHAMPVA if they remarry before age 55. If the marriage is later terminated, CHAMPVA eligibility may be restored. However, if a stepchild leaves the sponsor’s household, the child is no longer CHAMPVA-eligible.

Having other health insurance may impact eligibility for CITI. By law, eligible CHAMPVA beneficiaries entitled to Medicare Part A may only use CITI if they also enroll in Medicare Part B  (unless they reached age 65 by June 5, 2001 and weren’t enrolled in Part B).

CHAMPVA is always the secondary payer to Medicare. Beneficiaries of any age who are eligible for it generally must enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B to maintain CHAMPVA coverage. Part D is not required in order to become or remain CHAMPVA-eligible.

The VA interprets 38 U.S.C. 1781(b) as meaning that CHAMPVA beneficiaries are not eligible for the CITI program once they enroll in any Medicare plan.

The CHAMPVA In-House Treatment Initiative (CITI)is a program authorized by 38 U.S.C. 1781(b). VA medical facility directors may elect to provide necessary medical services and supplies to eligible CHAMPVA beneficiaries subject to the availability of space/resources for veterans.

• VA Boston, VA Bedford, and VA Providence are currently accepting new CITI patients.

• VA Central Western Massachusetts is currently not accepting new CITI patients. 

CITI participants have access to the same services within the VA healthcare system as veterans, including counseling, training, and mental health services under 38 U.S.C. 1782 and 1783. There are no deductibles or cost shares for care provided in VA, but the usual cost shares and deductibles apply for care that can not be provided within the participating VA facility.

• Local VA facility CITI program point of contacts are listed here.

• For general information, contact the VA Office of Community Care at (800) 733-8387.

• VA patients have the right to be treated with dignity in a humane environment that affords them both reasonable protection from harm and appropriate privacy with regard to their personal needs. Information obtained from patient medical records must be kept confidential and may not be disclosed (except in accordance with applicable law);

• VA patients have the right to receive prompt and appropriate treatment for any physical or emotional disability to the maximum extent of their eligibility.

• VA patients have the right to achieve treatment purposes under the least restrictive conditions necessary and to be free from physical restraint or seclusion. The only exception is when there is a substantial risk of imminent harm by the patient to themselves or others and a determination is made that less restrictive means are inappropriate or insufficient.

• VA patients have the right to be free from unnecessary or excessive medication. Medication cannot be used as punishment, for the convenience of the staff, or be prescribed in quantities that interfere with patients’ treatment programs.

Patients' legal rights can't be denied by virtue of being involuntarily committed or voluntarily admitted in a VA facility, unless otherwise provided for by Massachusetts law.

Upon admission to a VA facility, the VA must inform each patient (or their representative) of their rights, that these rights are posted at each nursing station, and give them a copy of a statement of these rights. The rights of inpatients and residents include, but are not limited to:

• holding and disposing of property;

• executing legal instruments;

• entering into contractual relationships;

• registering to vote and voting;

• marrying or obtaining separations, divorces, or annulments;

• holding professional, occupational, or vehicle operator licenses;

• having social interaction with others;

• having regular physical exercise (including having access to facilities and equipment for such exercise);

• having regular and frequent time outdoors;

• wearing their own clothing;

• keeping and using personal possessions;

• keeping, spending, and accessing their own money;

• having opportunities for religious worship if desired, without coercion;

• meeting with visitors during regularly scheduled visiting hours or refusing visitors);

• communicating freely and privately with people outside the facility, including government officials, attorneys, and clergy;

• having convenient and reasonable access to make/receive calls; and

• having opportunities to send/receive unopened mail and purchase letter writing material, including at their own expense.

Facilities must attempt to assist any patient needing assistance in purchasing writing material, writing, reading, or sending mail through volunteers for at least 1 letter each week. Any information obtained while assisting a patient writing, reading, or sending mail must be kept in strict confidence (unless disclosure is required by law).

• Communications with attorneys, law enforcement agencies, government officials, and representatives of recognized service organizations acting as agents for the patient in a matter concerning VA benefits cannot be reviewed.

Appropriate healthcare professionals must review the medication regimens of all inpatients and residents at least once every 30 days, or more often depending on the medications. Medications can’t be used as punishment, for the convenience of the staff, or in quantities which interfere with the patient’s treatment program.

Rights pertaining to VA residents and inpatients may only be restricted through a written order signed by the appropriate healthcare professional. Such written orders may only be issued if a valid and sufficient reason exists to do so upon consideration of pertinent facts involving the patient's history, current condition, and prognosis.

In making a determination to restrict a VA patients’ rights, healthcare providers must determine that the likelihood and seriousness of consequences expected to result from a patient’s full exercise of a right are so compelling that they warrant the restriction. The healthcare professional issuing an order must reasonably believe the veterans’ full exercise of the right being restricted would:

• adversely affect the patient's physical or mental health;

• likely stigmatize the patient's reputation to a degree that it would adversely affect the patient's return to independent living under prevailing community standards;

• significantly infringe upon the rights of or jeopardize the health or safety of others; or

• significantly and adversely impact the operation of the facility to the extent that the patient's exercise of the specific right should be restricted.

The Chief of Staff or Service Chief (depending on the local facility policy) must concur with all such written orders, which must be entered into the VA patient’s medical record along with a Progress Note detailing the indications for the order. Patients must be promptly notified of any restrictions imposed and the reasons for the order.

All written orders restricting VA patients’ rights must be reviewed by the responsible provider and concurred with by the Chief of Staff or Service Chief every 30 days. If a written order is entered restricting any of the patient’s rights, the VA must employ the least restrictive method possible for protecting the interest or interests set forth in justifying it.

In situations where patients’ rights to receive unopened mail is restricted, patients must open sealed mail in the presence of an appropriate person for the sole purpose of ascertaining whether the mail contains contraband material.

All VA patient have the right to be free from physical restraint or seclusion in situations where there is not a substantial risk of imminent harm by the patient to themselves or others.

• Restraint or seclusion may only be used in situations where less restrictive means of preventing harm have been determined to be inappropriate or insufficient.

• Restraint or seclusion may not be used as punishment, for the convenience of staff, or as a substitute for treatment programs.

The physical restraint or seclusion of patients is only authorized upon the written order of an appropriate licensed healthcare professional. The reason for any written order of restraint must be clearly documented in a progress note within the patient’s medical record.

• When an order is entered on the basis of authorization provided by phone, an appropriate healthcare professional must examine the patient and sign a written order within the timeframe specified in current community and/or accreditation standards.

• In emergency situations, a patient may be temporarily restrained by a staff member until authorization is received from an appropriate licensed healthcare professional.

All patients under restraint or seclusion must be seen within timeframes that comply with current community and/or accreditation standards by an appropriate healthcare professional who will monitor and chart their physical and mental condition and by other ward personnel as frequently as is reasonable under the circumstances. Each patient in restraint or seclusion must:

• have bathroom privileges according to their needs;

• have the opportunity to bathe at least every 24 hours; and

• be provided appropriate nutrition and fluids.

Restraints and seclusion may not continue for a period of time in excess of current community and/or accreditation standards, within which time an appropriate licensed healthcare professional must again be consulted to determine if the patient’s restraint or seclusion continues to be required.

• A specialist at the VA Hotline will either connect the caller to someone who can answer their question or provide a case number for updates from the VA’s Veterans Experience Office throughout the process of resolving any concerns.

The VEO previously offered the “White House Hotline” for veterans and families to call with complaints or to resolve ongoing situations involving their care from 2017–2022. This hotline was merged with MyVA411 in November 2022, which was created in 2020.

• Contact your local US Representative or US Senator for assistance or to share any concerns regarding a federal agency or program. Contact the district office of your Member of Congress or assistance.

  • US Representatives cover specific districts in each state.

  • Senators cover the entire state.

If you are having a problem involving a state agency or program, you would contact your Massachusetts State Representative or Senator for assistance.

• Click here to learn more about the process and submit complaint to the OIG Hotline.

• The mission of the VA OIG is to serve veterans and the public by conducting meaningful independent oversight of the VA.

• The preferred method for submitting a concern is through the Joint Commission’s online submission form, which for more direct, timely receipt and review of your concerns. They also accept concerns/complaints by postal mail, but not by fax or email.

• Visit the Board of Registration in Medicine’s website to learn more.

• Complaints against Massachusetts physicians may be filed by completing a complaint form via the Online Complaint portal or by paper.

Our Moral Injury Community Summit & Discussion on March 16, 2022 was organized by Dr. Wesley Sanders and Cliff Coy of the Health & Wellness Resource Networks. For more information about moral injury and the summit, visit our Moral Injury page.

On January 19, 2022, the Veterans Collaborative hosted a virtual Food Security Summit. For more information, visit our Food Security page.

On November 17, 2021, the Health & Wellness Resource Network organized a meeting/workshop focused on holiday stress and resources available for veterans and families navigating it.

On December 9, 2020 the Health & Wellness Resource Network organized a meeting/workshop around holiday stress and resources available to veterans and families navigating it.

The Health & Wellness Resource Network met virtually on August 12, 2020 to gather resources available during COVID-19.

On November 21, 2018, the Veterans collaborative organized a summit on Healthcare Access & Issues Impacting Service Members, Veterans & Families, hosted by Tufts Health Plan. This summit focused on health-related topics and access issues impacting service members, veterans and their families with presentations by:

– Tufts Health Plan

– Dana Montalto, Veterans Legal Clinic of Harvard Law School's Legal Services Center

– Jayson C. Gilberti, CEO of MVPvets and Retired Army Colonel

– Tom Leonard, US Family Health Plan (Tricare)

On March 1, 2017, the Greater Boston Veterans Collaborative organized a Healthcare Summit, hosted by the VA Boston Healthcare System at the Jamaica Plain Campus with networking at Canary Square.

We heard from researchers with the RAND Corporation about the findings of their Massachusetts Veterans Survey, funded by the Klarman Family Foundation and conducted by Carrie Farmer and Terri Tanielian.

The survey explores the needs of Massachusetts veterans, service members, and their families around health and healthcare, education, employment, housing, and other areas. Our Needs Assessment page has more information.

We also heard from researchers with the VA’s National Center for PTSD, from Dr. Stacey Whitbourne of the VA’s Million Veteran Program, and Dr. Melissa Amick about the TRACTS / STEP-Home, and TBI initiatives.