Free emergency suicide care at VA Augusta and in the community

VA Augusta Health Care System and the community around you are ready to support you in a time of crisis. If you ever need emergency suicide care, you can go to any healthcare facility in your area for free emergency services. This applies to all Veterans regardless of whether you are enrolled in VA healthcare. Upon check-in, say, “Hey, I am a Veteran.”

VA will cover all costs associated with outside care, including transportation, inpatient and outpatient care. It will also allow us to determine your VA healthcare eligibility for additional VA services and benefits.

COMPACT-eligible individuals are:

• Former members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were discharged or released from active duty after more than 24 months of active service under conditions other than dishonorable;
• Any former active or reserve/National Guard service member who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable; and
• Former members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, a batter of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment while serving in the Armed Forces.

Virtual Town Hall: Veterans and the public are invited to a virtual Town Hall to learn more about this life-saving VA benefit on Monday, October 30, at 10 a.m. ET. Click here to join the meeting or call in (audio only) +1 872-701-0185 Access Code: 290588528#  

Veterans and caregivers wanting more information about what the COMPACT Act benefit means for them can contact Mr. Alfredo Perez, VA Augusta COMPACT Act Coordinator, at (706-733-0188 x27099) or Alfredo.Perez1@va.gov.