The COVID-19 vaccine gives us a shot of hope for a better 2021. Who at the VA will be offered the vaccine first? The initial supply of the vaccine is extremely limited. Per CDC guidelines, VA will begin vaccinating health care personnel as they are essential in continuing to care for patients through the pandemic and veteran inpatients in Community Living Centers. As more supply becomes available, they will vaccinate additional veterans as high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Who will contact you for your shot? Your VA health team will contact you directly. It is important to understand that many veterans will not be able to get the vaccine during the initial rollout. To reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19, veterans should not come into a VA facility looking to receive a vaccine, nor to schedule a vaccine appointment. Care teams will contact the veteran directly when a vaccine is available, based on their personal risk factors and vaccine availability.
VA Resumes Overpayment Notifications While Continuing Relief Options for Veterans
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced its nationwide plan to resume mailing notification letters to veterans for benefit overpayments placed in suspension from April 3 through Jan. 1, 2021. The collection of these overpayments was deferred to provide relief to Veterans due to COVID-19 pandemic. Veterans and beneficiaries with questions regarding benefit overpayment may call (800) 827-0468. Call volume is generally lower on Tuesdays and Fridays. For health care co-payment debts, veterans should contact Health Resource Center at (866) 400-1238.
Till next week, praying for all.
– Charles Castelluccio
