Dr. Susan MacKenzie is the director of the Providence VA Medical Center, where a health care delivery contract switch is taking place. MacKenzie discusses the impact on veterans and physicians, as well as new and upcoming changes at the VA.
PBN: Will veterans’ care be affected by the Providence VA’s ongoing community care network contract transition from TriWest Healthcare Alliance to Optum Public Sector Solutions Inc.?
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MACKENZIE: We think the new network will improve care coordination for veterans. Veterans will continue to receive care from their current community providers during the transition, but VA community providers contracted by TriWest will need to sign up with Optum to continue providing services to veterans under [the community care network], which could result in new community providers for some veterans, but we will make every effort to provide as seamless a transition as possible for any affected veterans.
PBN: What is the impact for providers who are currently caring for veterans under TriWest?
MACKENZIE: Timeliness of payments to providers in the community is expected to improve under the new contract. Veterans will continue to receive care from their current community providers during the transition, but VA community providers contracted by TriWest will need to sign up with Optum to continue providing services to veterans under [the community care network].
PBN: Will the switch result in cost savings for patients?
MACKENZIE: The copay guidelines are unchanged under the new contract. There is no premium for VA health care, and enrolled veterans may receive approved care at no cost, or they may have a copay, depending on their income, disability rating and other factors.
PBN: How many veterans are cared for on average by the Providence VA Medical Center system?
MACKENZIE: We provide care to more than 35,000 veterans in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, as well as some of eastern Connecticut.
PBN: Are there any other changes coming to the Providence VA to help veterans with access to care?
MACKENZIE: We are always searching for ways to make our care more accessible. Veterans who need it can now get same-day access to primary care and mental health services, for example. The new urgent care benefit under the MISSION Act will also provide an option for care in the community for illnesses or injuries that aren’t life threatening but shouldn’t wait, supplementing the scheduled care and emergency services we offer at VA medical facilities. And finally, the new parking garage we are building should be completed soon, which will help alleviate a long-term parking challenge we’ve had with our urban campus, improving access for veterans and staff.
Elizabeth Graham is a PBN staff writer. She can be reached at Graham@pbn.com.
