I had to go to the ER outside of the VA; whom do I talk with about my bill?

If you receive emergency care in another facility and you do not have any type of coverage under an existing health policy, you should inform the facility billing department to submit the bill to the following address:

Overton Brooks VAMC
Fee Basis Unit (136C2)
510 East Stoner Avenue
Shreveport, 71101

Claims must be submitted within ninety days from the date of discharge or transfer from the facility that provided the care.

Why did I not receive a notice in the mail for my upcoming appointment?

When your appointment with your health care provider is over, you will be given a card with telephone contact information indicating that you must call our scheduling office to establish a date for your next appointment. You will then receive two letters based on your provider’s instructions.  The first letter is a “Reminder Letter” and it will instruct you to call our scheduling office to make an appointment that is convenient for you. The second letter will arrive about two weeks before your appointment and will remind you of the date and time of your appointment. If you do not receive the letters that you are expecting, contact the clinic that you were last seen in to make sure that your address is correct.

What do I do to transfer my Primary Care to another provider?

Please inform your current provider that you would like to transfer your care to a Primary Care to another provider.

I am being treated by a private doctor.  Can I get those prescriptions filled at the VA?

Non-VA doctors are not credentialed at this facility, therefore prescriptions written by these doctors generally cannot be provided by the VA Pharmacy,

There is only one exception.  If you are entitled to a fee basis card that is provided for treatment of a service-connection that cannot be treated by this facility, the VA may be able to provide your prescriptions.  

Why should I provide my health insurance information to VA?

Providing your health insurance information allows us to bill a third party insurer for the services and medications that you received from this facility.
In some instances, if you have a co-payment for medications or treatment, this will allow the VA to offset this co-payment.

Why do I have to fill out a means test? I have never had to do this before.

Providing your income information allows the VA to determine if you will be exempt from a co-payment for medication and treatment.

Before, you may have been exempt from providing income information because of some special entitlement that is no longer applicable.  You will now be required to provide income information.

Why am I being told to call Shreveport to make an appointment when my doctor is at another clinic?

To help make things easier, we are providing one number to handle all requests to schedule, reschedule or cancel appointments. Staff members are available to answer calls Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  After 4:30 p.m., voicemail is available.  If you leave a message, a member of the staff will return your call the following business day. To schedule, reschedule or cancel an appointment, please call    1-800-644-8370 or (318) 841-5000.

Why can’t I apply for compensation and pension at the hospital?

The VA health care system provides health care services only. If you have questions or want to apply for compensation or a pension examination, you should contact your local Veterans Service Officers.

How do I contact the Veterans Benefits Administration if I have questions about my entitlement benefits?

To contact the Veterans Benefits Administration, please call 1-800-827-1000.  They are able to assist with questions and concerns about claim status, veteran eligibility, vocational rehabilitation, burial benefits, educational benefits, etc.

Whom do I contact for services offered by the Business Office?

To obtain information from your medical records, please contact the Release of Information Office by calling 1-800-863-7441 or 318-221-8411, extension 6718.

For information regarding payment of Non-VA claims related to medical expenses, call the Fee Basis Unit at 1-800-863-7441 or 318-221-8411, extensions 6489, 6853, 4937, 6035, 6790, 7121, or 7123.

For information about enrollment into VHA National Health Care Benefit Program, call 1-800-863-7441 or 318-221-8411, extension 6394 or 6765.

For questions about medical or pharmacy co-payments, call 1-866-802-6381.

 

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