Eligibility Determination
VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VA PSHCS) determines whether or not a Veteran meets the eligibility requirements for Veteran Directed Care (VDC) based on medical and functional criteria established by the VA. Once VDC eligibility is determined; the VDC liaison at VA PSHCS refers the Veteran to the Area Agency on Aging responsible for the geographic area in which they live to receive an assessment and Care Consultation.
An interested Veteran or an Area Agency on Aging staff person working with a Veteran interested in participating in VDC must contact:
Elizabeth A. Cole, LICSW, Veteran Directed Care Coordinator
VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
206-277-4394
Elizabeth.Cole1@va.gov
Care Consultation
A Care Consultant at the AAA enrolls the Participant in VDC and provides support in the following ways:
- Provides education and coaching to the Participant on how Participant Directed Services works
- Orients and coaches the Participant on managing their own budget
- Conducts initial, annual and significant change assessments
- Assists the Participant to create a Spending Plan that includes strategies and services to meet needs identified in the assessment
- Assists the Participant with identifying a personal care assistant if that is a service identified in the Spending Plan
- Coordinates services with VA Puget Sound Health Care System
- Is available to the Participant on a regular basis throughout the service year to address issues and amend the Spending Plan as needed
- Communicates with the FMS as needed
Financial Management Services
Once the Spending Plan is completed the Care Consultant refers the Participant the Financial Management Service (FMS) who will assist them to implement the Plan. FMS tasks include:
- Providing information to the Participant about their budget, balances, etc.
- Setting up an individual participant accounting record
- Contracting with providers for all services
- Authorizing individual provider (IP) services using Washington’ s Social Service Payment System
- Paying for all participant services and goods
- Providing quarterly budget report to the Participant