Hospitals may soon see an increase in volume due to a new directive that makes it easier for veterans to receive medical care at non-Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. 
The directive seeks to improve veterans’ access to healthcare services after allegations came out claiming more than 40 veterans may have died while waiting for treatment at a VA clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. The VA is also looking into expanding capacity at its facilities. Last year the VA spent $4.8 billion on medical care provided at non-VA facilities, which accounts for 10% of the agency’s healthcare costs. It’s not clear how much the new directive will cost. Hospitals are already facing increased volume as a result of the aging population and millions of Americans who received medical coverage under the Affordable Care Act. It remains unclear how much this new directive will further strain the hospitals’ capacity and their staffing levels. Hospitals that need to temporarily ramp up staffing levels to handle the increased demand should consider using locum tenens physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners to supplement their existing staff and ensure patients have access to quality care. To learn more about the advantages of using locum tenens providers visit our Hospitals, Practices, and Companies page.
The directive seeks to improve veterans’ access to healthcare services after allegations came out claiming more than 40 veterans may have died while waiting for treatment at a VA clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. The VA is also looking into expanding capacity at its facilities. Last year the VA spent $4.8 billion on medical care provided at non-VA facilities, which accounts for 10% of the agency’s healthcare costs. It’s not clear how much the new directive will cost. Hospitals are already facing increased volume as a result of the aging population and millions of Americans who received medical coverage under the Affordable Care Act. It remains unclear how much this new directive will further strain the hospitals’ capacity and their staffing levels. Hospitals that need to temporarily ramp up staffing levels to handle the increased demand should consider using locum tenens physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners to supplement their existing staff and ensure patients have access to quality care. To learn more about the advantages of using locum tenens providers visit our Hospitals, Practices, and Companies page.
