Solano Veterans to receive Choice Card from VA

February 5, 2015

SOLANO COUNTY – Many Solano County Veterans will now have the option to receive non-VA health care rather than waiting for a VA appointment or traveling long distances to a VA medical facility.

The Choice Card Program is a new, temporary benefit that will begin to cover non-VA care for eligible Solano County Veterans already enrolled in VA healthcare.  Veterans are eligible for Choice Card benefits if any of the following conditions apply, including:

-- They were told by their local VA medical facility that they need to wait more than 30 days from their preferred appointment date or the date medically determined by their physician

-- Their current residence is more than 40 miles to the closest VA health care facility

-- They face significant travel hardships to get to the nearest VA health care facility

Every Veteran in Solano County who is enrolled in the VA Healthcare System will receive a letter and a Choice Card in the mail with details about the program benefits.  Although some Veterans may have already received the card, everyone should receive their card by mid-February.

The Choice Card is designed to supplement the care Veterans already receive at their VA medical facility, not replace or limit that care.

On Aug. 7, 2014 President Obama signed the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act (VACAA) with the goal of providing timely and high-quality healthcare for Veterans.

Veterans with question about the new Choice Card Program are encouraged to call (866) 606-8198 or contact the local Solano County Veterans Services Office at (707) 784-6590.  Applications for a regular VA medical card are also available at the Veterans Service Office, located on the fourth floor of the County Administration Center, 675 Texas St., Fairfield, Mon-Fri., 9 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.