SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Veterans now have the ability to seek same-day care for minor illnesses and injuries at approved civilian urgent care clinics like MainStreet Family Care.
Thanks to the VA MISSION Act of 2018 that was implemented last week, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has authorized medical care for eligible Veterans at select facilities. With MainStreet Family Care’s sixteen locations across Alabama and extended hours at night and on weekends, disabled Veterans no longer have to wait or travel to see a VA doctor.
“We were extremely honored when the VA reached out and asked us to be a part of their contracted network,” said MainStreet’s Chief Operating Officer Emile Hughes. “We believe that by having clinic locations in a lot of rural areas throughout Alabama, the VA sees MainStreet Family Care as a huge asset when it comes to expanding convenient, VA-authorized care to Veterans in these areas.”
MainStreet’s mission is to help patients feel better – fast. It views both staff and patients as family and strives to treat them as such. MainStreet leadership and staff members are excited about the opportunity to be able to provide veterans with quality, convenient care and truly be able to share the MainStreet spirit.
“We are thrilled to show Veterans what the MainStreet Family is all about,” stated Sam Eskildsen, Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to serving Veterans, just as they have served our country.”
Who is eligible for this program?
This new program allows Veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system and who have visited a VA doctor, or a civilian doctor under the VA Choice program, to see an urgent care doctor for free if:
- The Veteran is eligible for the benefit;
- The urgent care provider is part of the VA’s contracted network of community providers; and
- The services are not excluded under the benefit (such as preventative care and dental services)
The VA does recommend that patients should verify with the VA that they are eligible for the benefit and that the treatment they seek is covered under the program. Veterans will probably need to do this only once, but it’s a good idea to make sure everything is squared away. If Veterans visit an urgent care provider when they aren’t eligible, or they get medical treatment that isn’t covered under the new program, they will be on the hook for the full amount of the bill.
Where can I find a Veteran’s urgent care?
Not every urgent care facility is approved by the VA to treat Veterans, but all of MainStreet Family Care’s clinics are VA authorized urgent care locations. There are sixteen locations throughout Alabama spreading from Arab and Centre down to Andalusia and Eufaula.
What will it cost Veterans to come to MainStreet?
When Veterans choose MainStreet Family Care, as a VA patient, they never have to pay a co-pay at the time of service.
Veterans in Priority Groups 1 to 5, as well as some Veterans in Priority Group 6, can visit an authorized urgent care center for free up to three times every year. After that, each visit will cost $30. Veterans in Priority Groups 7 and 8 will have a $30 co-payment for each visit. However, the VA will bill for the co-pay after the visit.