In many areas of the country, VA medical centers and outpatient clinics provide veterans with access to medical care. A growing number of VA medical centers have ALS clinics with teams of ALS specialists who provide coordinated care for veterans. Attending one of these clinics can extend your life and improve your quality of life.
Every three months or so, you will meet individually with the members of your ALS clinic team, which includes a doctor, nurse, social worker, pulmonologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, and dietician. These specialists will measure your progress, answer your questions, and make recommendations for future care and equipment. |
How do I get started?
If you have been diagnosed with ALS and have 90 days of consecutive active duty, you should be eligible for service-connected benefits. But you cannot make an appointment with ALS clinics at the VA until you have been approved for service-connected benefits and enrolled in the VA system.
- To apply for your service-connected benefits, we strongly recommend reaching out to a veterans service organization like the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) or Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Navigating the VA system on your own can be a confusing and frustrating process. PVA or DAV will become your advocate—they will answer questions, give you tips, help you with paperwork, and expedite your application, which may take 90 days or so to get approved.
- While waiting for your benefits, you should get connected with either your local ALS Association or Muscular Dystrophy Association chapter. Ask for recommendations for an ALS clinic outside the VA, make an appointment, and begin attending the clinic. Follow the team’s recommendations and do not stop attending until you fully transition to the VA. Search Your ALS Clinics Directory for a clinic near you.
- When the VA accepts your application and approves your service-connected benefits, you will automatically get an appointment within 30 days. You will also be assigned a social worker/case manager and primary doctor.
- On your first visit, your VA social worker will explain everything and connect you with your VA hospital benefits.
How much will I have to pay?
Nothing. If you have been diagnosed with ALS—and have been approved to receive service-connected benefits—you will not have to pay out of pocket for attending an ALS clinic at the VA. You will also receive all of your equipment and many other benefits at no cost.
Where can I find a VA ALS clinic?
Your VA doctor and social worker will likely discuss your options and recommend a clinic. You can also search Your ALS Clinics Directory for VA clinics in your state.
If you don't live near a VA medical center with an interdisciplinary ALS clinic, you have a few options:
If you don't live near a VA medical center with an interdisciplinary ALS clinic, you have a few options:
- Find a way to make the trip. If you are able to drive or get a ride to the nearest VA ALS clinic once every three (or so) months, all of your needs will be taken care of in one place. You will have a team of ALS experts who will coordinate your care, help you get equipment, and administer the rest of your service-connected benefits.
- Attend your nearest VA medical center. Your nearest VA medical center or clinic may not have an interdisciplinary ALS clinic, but doctors, nurses, social workers, physical therapists, and others can still provide care, get you equipment, and administer your service-connected benefits.
- Attend an ALS clinic outside the VA system. If you would like to have the coordinated support of an interdisciplinary team of ALS specialists—but live too far from a VA ALS clinic—you can always search for all ALS clinics in your state. At a non-VA clinic, you will receive a high-level of care, but will need to use Medicare (if you qualify) and private insurance to cover your visits and equipment. In order to receive your durable medical equipment at no charge, you will also need to visit a VA medical center. Learn more about non-VA ALS clinics.