Question
I am a 63 yo Vietnam era vet and enrolled in the VA health care system. I have nothing but good to say about the VA Mountain Home Hospital located in Johnson City TN. My question is does the VA pay for addiction treatment that rendered in a non-VA clinic ? I had a horrible crush injury in 1990, long story made short is that I became dependent then addicted to painkillers over the ten years of off and on operations until my leg was amputated above the knee a year ago. I have been taking Methadone for ten years for pain and addiction which gives me a livable life. I pay out of pocket @ $400 mo. not including a 90 one way trip since 2001. Recently my counselor informed me she had several non-service connected veterans that were getting fully reimbursed from the VA including travel pay.
However the VA claims having no knowledge of this program, and my counselor cant help due to some weird guideline of her employment. Do you know how I could get some information of any kind about this? I wanted to self pay and did for years but I have had some severe hardship recently and its a struggle to make ends meet now. I know the stigma of MAT has a lot to do with the resistance I am getting, but I can honestly say the methadone program has kept me out of jail, (Dr shopping for pain medication ) or more likely out of the grave (chronic pain makes life difficult and I am no hero). Sorry for the length of this email. Lastly, I am sure your answer will help many Vets who may have similar programs and may literally save a few lives.
Thanks for your giving too!
Jim's Reply
I'm sorry to say that I don't know of such a program. But I bet I can tell you who would know...a local Vet Center. These folks are specialists and I would ask them for direction.
https://www.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=480
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
VAWatchdog
Keeping an eye on the VA, because somebody has to.
Stateside Legal
Legal Help For Military and Veterans