Health status of veterans found ineligible for ongoing outpatient care

Abstract

In patient's declared ineligible for longitudinal outpatient care in the Veterans Administration (VA) health care system, it is unclear how health status changes after discharge from the VA or how many patients find a regular provider of care in the private sector. Among 65 patients declared ineligible for longitudinal care at the Gainesville VA Medical Center (GVAMC), 28 (43%) continued to use this facility as their primary source of general medical care. Patients who lived within 50 miles of GVAMC or had used this facility frequently in the past were more likely to return to GVAMC for their general care. In the 37 patients who no longer used GVAMC for general care, 42% could not identify a regular provider of care outside GVAMC nine months after their discharge from this facility. Thirty-six percent had not seen a non-VA physician during this time, and 44% felt their health had worsened since they were released from GVAMC. A large number of patients who are declared ineligible for longitudinal care in the VA system continue to use the VA system for primary care. Among those who stop using the VA, many do not receive any medical care or obtain a regular care provider within the first nine months after their release from the VA system.