Veterans

VIETNAM VETERANS TRAUMA INFORMED CARE
HOSPICE VETERANS PARTNERSHIP (HVP) 
HOSPICE VETERAN PARTNER RESOURCES
VETERAN AND FAMILY RESOURCES
There are over 600,000 Vietnam Veterans alive, as of 2020.  More than a quarter of Americans who die each year are veterans.  A huge wave of new veterans from recent periods of service will need hospice care. However, the Veterans Administration reports that only about a third of veterans have enrolled for VA benefits. Many are not aware of the benefits available to them, including the Medicare Hospice Benefit and VA-paid hospice care.

HPCANYS has always had a focus on underserved populations. Unfortunately, our nation’s veterans are one of those populations. Veterans have unique, often unrecognized hospice needs that complicate the dying process. For example, military culture instills stoic values that might interfere with peaceful dying. Additionally, combat veterans’ last experience with death may have been filled with fear, horror and helplessness on the battlefield.

What are the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) palliative care policies?
  • Palliative care is part of every enrolled Veteran’s Uniform Medical Benefits Package
  • Veterans can get VA health care and benefits along with palliative care
Who provides palliative care services?
  • VA facilities provide inpatient palliative care and a growing number of VA facilities can provide similar services in a VA clinic or in the home through Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) Programs
  • Limited palliative care services may be available in the community through hospice or home health agencies
Who pays for palliative care for Veterans?
  • Contact your local VA for specifics about palliative care services available in your area and potential fees, charges, or co-pays
  • Medicare and Medicaid
  • Private insurance companies
For more information contact:
  • Your VA Primary Care Provider
  • Palliative Care Consult Team at your local VA facility

Hospice Veterans Partnership

HPCANYS  is in partnership with the Veterans Administration to establish a Hospice/Veterans Partnership in NYS that would help our member organizations serve and support veterans by meeting their unique needs and the needs of their families as they provide hospice and palliative care services.

The Hospice Veterans Partnership (HVP) that was established aligns with the missions of both organizations.
 
VA Mission
“To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.” — Abraham Lincoln
 
HPCANYS Mission
To promote the availability and accessibility of quality hospice and palliative care for all persons in New York State confronted with life-limiting illness.