Health Center to Improve Military Veteran Healthcare
Press Release
September 21, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Steve Douglas, Marketing and Public Relations
(417)658-6383
steven.douglas@accessfamilycare.org
www.accessfamilycare.org
Health Center to Improve Military Veteran Healthcare
Access Family Care Partners with Tri-West to Serve Military Veterans in Southwest Missouri
Neosho, MO September 21, 2015—Access Family Care Medical and Dental Clinics have partnered with Tri-West Healthcare Alliance, through the Veterans Choice Program (V.C.P.), to provide quality healthcare services to our Military Veterans in Southwest Missouri. Qualifying Military Veterans will no longer have to drive long distances to a Veteran’s Administration (V.A.) Hospital or wait long periods of time to receive quality healthcare.
After national headlines about our Military Veterans having difficulty with medical care, the “Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act” (Choice Act) was signed into law by President Obama, in August of 2014. A Veteran maybe eligible to utilize “The Choice Program” if they have been told they need to wait more than 30 days for an appointment at a V.A. facility or if they live more than 40 miles driving distance from the nearest V.A. Facility.
As a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (F.Q.H.C.), Access Family Care is ideally situated to serve the needs of Veterans, under the Choice Act. The Choice Act specifically identifies F.Q.H.C.’s, as Community Health Centers, who will be best suited to care for Veterans in rural areas. With Medical Clinics in Joplin, Neosho, Cassville, Anderson, Mt. Vernon, and soon Lamar, Missouri; our Veterans will have easier access to professional medical services without traveling long distances from their homes.
Don McBride, C.E.O. of Access Family Care, said; “We respect the service given by our Veterans and their commitment to maintaining our freedoms. We feel it is our duty to now serve them with the highest quality of medical care possible. We recognize the difficulty of traveling long distances to see a medical provider, so we are excited to bring great care to our Veteran’s hometowns!”
Which Military Veterans are eligible for care under The Choice Act?
- Veterans who were enrolled for VA medical care as of August 1, 2014; OR
- Recently discharged combat veterans (within the five-year enrollment window) AND WHO:
- Reside more than 40 miles from the nearest VA medical facility; OR
- Are unable to schedule an appointment within wait time goals of the VA(30 days)
- Other restrictions have been established, but apply to Veterans living in Hawaii, Alaska, New Hampshire, Guam, American Samoa, and the Philippines
Veterans should call 1-866-606-8198 to verify their eligibility in the “Veterans Choice Program”.
ACCESS Family Care (ACCESS), was founded in 1996 as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) for the purpose of increasing access to primary health care for those who lack medical insurance coverage. As an FQHC, ACCESS receives a 330 Federal grant from the Bureau of Primary Health Care designed to offset the expenses associated with providing sliding fee discounts to patients who demonstrate economic need.
ACCESS Family Care—Anderson with both medical and dental services is located at 927 N. Business 71 and can be reached at 417-845-8300. The dental clinic is located in the same building and can be reached at 417-845-2273.
ACCESS Family Care—Cassville with both medical and dental services is located at 4016 North Main Street and can be reached at 417-847-0057.
ACCESS Family Care—Joplin with medical, pediatrics, and dental combined in one location is located at 530 S. Maiden Lane. For medical appointments call 417-782-6200 and for dental appointments call 417-782-0080.
ACCESS Family Care—Neosho, medical services only, is located at 412 East McKinney and can be reached at 417 451-4447.
ACCESS Family Care—Mount Vernon, medical a service only, is located at 101 West Patterson and can be reached at 417 461-0688.
All Clinics are open Monday through Friday, from 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.; with late hours on Tuesdays, where they are open until 07:00 p.m.
ACCESS Family Care’s Corporate Office is located at 475 Nelson Avenue in Neosho, Missouri, and the phone number is 417-451-9450.
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