North Jersey veterans will now be able to receive referrals for care at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, following the hospital’s approval as a Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (CCN) provider.
The designation will provide area veterans with shorter drive times and greater access to care as the Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is located directly across from the New Jersey Veterans Home at Paramus, which houses elderly veterans with special health care needs.
This new referral announcement will improve access to care for veterans at the Paramus Veterans Home and other veterans throughout North Jersey, a priority Rep. Josh Gottheimer said he discussed with the Director of the VA New Jersey Health Care System this past fall.
Shorter Wait
“I’ve heard from veterans across the Fifth District who have had to drive over an hour, only to be met by long wait times, and cancelled appointments,” said Gottheimer . “We must always have the backs of those who have had ours: the brave men and women who have served our nation and defended our freedoms.”
The VA MISSION Act, signed into law in June 2018, established the new Community Care program, replacing the Choice Program and allowing covered veterans to receive care from eligible non-VA providers within their own community. Covered veterans may specify an eligible non-VA provider they would like to receive care from, so long as the care is clinically necessary and is not feasibly available through a VA facility, contract, or sharing agreement.
Expanded Services
For Bergen County Executive James Tedesco, the referral is part of his plan to expand services for veterans and active duty military through county hospitals.
“This designation means our veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families can seek services closer to home and take advantage of everything Bergen New Bridge Medical Center has to offer,” said Tedesco.
Deborah Visconi, President and CEO for Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, said the medical center will put into action innovative ideas and solutions to enhance the veterans’ experience and increase expedient access to high-quality health care for the over 50,000 eligible veterans in their area.
“In today’s complex and changing health care environment, we recognize how essential it is for the VA to partner with providers in communities across the country to meet the needs of veterans. We are honored to be one of those partners,” stated Visconi.
