The following is a release from EvergreenHealth:

U.S. military veterans enrolled in a health care insurance plan through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) now may be eligible to receive high-quality primary care, inpatient and outpatient specialty care and mental health services at EvergreenHealth as part of the recently established Veterans Choice Program.

Offered in the Seattle metropolitan area through TriWest, the Veterans Choice Program ensures qualified veterans have access to health care services from a non-VA provider when the local VA medical center is too far from a veteran’s home or has a long wait time. The Veterans Choice Program is a result of the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act (VACAA) signed into law by President Obama in 2014.

“We are honored to help veterans and their families receive the timely medical treatment they need,” said EvergreenHealth CEO Bob Malte. “By becoming a registered TriWest community provider, we further our commitment to our vision of creating an inclusive community health system that is the most trusted source for health care solutions.”

Veterans can choose from EvergreenHealth’s hospitals in Kirkland and Monroe, two urgent care clinics, three emergency rooms, 10 primary care locations and over two dozen specialty care practices serving northern King and southern Snohomish counties. As a fully registered TriWest community provider, EvergreenHealth is dedicated to meeting VA-quality standards and facilitating continuity of care by keeping a veteran’s medical records updated with the VA.

Veterans who believe they are eligible for benefits should receive authorization from the VA before seeking treatment at EvergreenHealth in order to avoid unnecessary out-of-pocket costs. More information about the Veterans Choice Program, including eligibility requirements, is available at http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/.