[20191203]IF11378_退伍军人健康管理局：行为健康服务.pdf

https:/crsreports.congress.gov December 3, 2019Veterans Health Administration: Behavioral Health ServicesIntroduction The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides health care and health-related services through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), one of the largest integrated health care systems in the United States. The VHA is divided into 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) that comprise over 1,700 sites of care, including VA medical centers (VAMCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), extended care facilities, and readjustment counseling centers (Vet Centers). Each of these sites of care offers behavioral health services. The term behavioral health comprises mental health and substance use. Although the VA often refers to mental health services in its documentation, the VHA also provides substance use disorder (SUD) services. For this In Focus, the terms mental health and behavioral health are used interchangeably. VHA Eligibility for Behavioral Health Services Eligibility requirements for accessing behavioral health services at the VHA are generally the same as for accessing all other health care services at the VHA, with certain exceptions. Some