New Program: Veteran Directed Care

Our new program: VETERAN DIRECTED CARE IS NOW LIVE

in the entire Cheyenne VAMC Service Area!

Including Southeast Wyoming, Western Nebraska, and the Eastern Plains of Colorado.

WE’VE PARTNERED WITH THE CENTER FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN BOULDER AND THE CHEYENNE VA TO BRING YOU VETERAN DIRECTED CARE!

What is Veteran Directed Care? Veteran-directed Home and Community-based Services, VDC, is a program funded by the VA that allows eligible Veterans to receive services in their home and community while managing their own service plan and budget. Also known as VIP, the Veterans Independence Program can help veterans to live independently, in their own homes, and not in nursing care. The program helps veterans of all ages who need non-medical supports and services, coaching and assistance with daily or instrumental activities, are isolated or whose caregiver is overburdened. The veteran or a caregiver manage their flexible budget to pay for their services.

This program can be a great choice for Veterans who have family and friends currently providing unpaid home care. The VDC Program may also be the only choice of care for some of our rural Veterans due to the lack of existing community resources or home health care.

How will I benefit from Veteran Directed Care?
You will be in charge of your services. You choose supports and services that fit your assessed needs. Under VDC you will manage a budget for your services. As the coordinator of care you’ll be able to:

• Create your own spending plan
• Choose where and when the services are provided
• Choose your personal care assistants and pay them (if personal care is part of your plan)
• Save for needed equipment or vehicle and residential modification
• LIV Health will assist in coordinating your care

Eligibility Requirements:

Your VA Medical Center will determine whether or not you meet the eligibility requirements for this program based on their medical and functional criteria. Or you can contact LIV Health at 307.630.4729 to get started!

Things to Remember:

• Veterans must have a documented ADL dependency.
• You must be seen in the prior 12 months by a VA PACT Team or HBPC to enroll in the program and be seen every 12 months to continue to participate.
• The Veteran or Veterans Designated Representative is provided a budget from the VA and must complete a spending plan, that is then approved by the VA.
• Must be willing and able to hire and manage their own employees.
• Be willing and able to keep and approve time cards.
• Must be willing and able to make and adhere to a spending plan they develop and the VA approves.
• The program can take up to 90 days to become operational depending on the Veteran’s situation.
• VA will not stop existing home care until the Veteran’s hired providers are ready to assume care.
• If the Veteran is on Veteran Directed Care they will not be eligible for VA funded Adult Day Care, Outpatient Respite Care, or Unskilled Home Health Services.
• If the Veteran attempts the VDC program and finds it is not a good choice for them they can return to the VA traditional home care program if resources are available in their community.

Do you have questions on the Veteran Directed Care Program or other services we offer?

Please contact us for more information.

Learn more about the Veteran Independence Program, and the Center for People with Disabilities.