As they age, the proud men and women who once served the U.S. in the military may find themselves suffering from disabling medical conditions. Unable to care for themselves in the ways they need, these military veterans may require skilled nursing care that they cannot get at home.
Military veterans and spouses who find themselves in such need may consider the state and federal veterans’ benefits available to them, which may include admission to one of the Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes.
The admission requirements
According to the U.S. Army, military veterans must meet certain eligibility requirements to receive consideration for admission to one of the state’s veterans’ homes. To qualify, applicants must have eligibility for medical treatment or other benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, they must also meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Born in Tennessee
- Enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces in Tennessee
- Reside in Tennessee at the time of admission
- List Tennessee address as official home of record on military record
- Immediate family member or legal guardian serving as primary caregiver resides in Tennessee
When applying for admission to one of the state’s skilled nursing residences for veterans, veterans must submit current medical information and a copy of their discharge papers.
The cost
According to the Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes Board, veterans residing in these nursing facilities may have daily room charges. These costs may vary based on whether veterans require skilled or intermediate care and if they have private or semiprivate rooms. The VA pays out a portion of these daily rates for eligible veterans, with the remainder of the cost falling to private pay or getting billed to Tennessee Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance carriers.
In addition to admission to one of the state’s veterans’ homes, military veterans may have eligibility for various other benefits that may aid them in transitioning back to civilian life and preparing for their futures.
