VA rehabilitation treatment programs improve access for Veterans in need

Veteran entering VA rehabilitation treatment program facility

Washington, D.C. – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is expanding access to its VA rehabilitation treatment programs, which offer essential, around-the-clock care for Veterans facing mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, and substance use disorders. In fiscal year 2024, these programs served over 27,000 Veterans. Moreover, VA has additional capacity to support even more Veterans in need.

To streamline access, VA recently introduced a centralized screening approach. Each region within the VA system can now assess and place Veterans more quickly into residential rehabilitation treatment programs.

How VA rehabilitation treatment programs improve Veteran care

At the VA’s recent national RRTP conference, leaders emphasized their dedication to improving Veterans’ access to VA rehabilitation treatment programs. Dr. Tamara Campbell, Executive Director of VA’s Office of Mental Health, addressed over 350 VA mental health professionals, noting, “Our patients deserve the soonest, best care when they need it.” She explained that although VA has the capacity to place Veterans, the screening process has varied by location. Therefore, a centralized approach is needed to simplify admissions and maximize resources.

Enhancing access through centralized screening

Residential rehabilitation treatment, sometimes called inpatient care, has proven life-changing for many Veterans. In fact, a recent VA study showed that Veterans who received treatment for substance use disorder at a residential site had a 66% lower mortality rate within 12 months compared to those who did not.

With over 250 VA rehabilitation treatment programs at 123 sites across 44 states and U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, Alaska, and Hawaii, VA is well-positioned to meet demand. However, before the recent improvements, Veterans often had to apply to specific sites, which could lead to delays if beds were unavailable. The new centralized screening process reduces these obstacles, creating an easier, quicker path to treatment.

Accessing VA rehabilitation treatment programs: centralized screening

By summer 2025, the centralized screening process will be fully implemented. Each region will have a dedicated screening team. This means Veterans or their providers can contact one team to assess eligibility and find available beds across the regional network. Importantly, they won’t need to complete multiple applications or screenings.

The first pilot region implemented centralized screening in the Midwest across eight health systems. Initial results show a 5% increase in Veterans accepted for admission after the first screening. Wait times have also dropped to an average of 16 days, which is five days faster than the previous year.

Veterans and providers are encouraged to explore options available through VA rehabilitation treatment programs. For more information, visit VA Mental Health Resources or the National Center for PTSD.

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