Nursing Services (POC 8)

Purpose

This policy provides direction on the approval of nursing services as a Treatment Benefit, and as a service under the Veterans Independence Program (VIP) or the Rehabilitation Program.
 

Policy

Definition

1. Nursing Services are services that have three distinct components: assessments, foot care and visits. Please refer to the specific policy and/or business process for details relating to the applicable component.

Eligibility

2. See Eligibility for Heath Care Programs – Eligible Client Groups for information on eligibility for Treatment Benefits.
3. For Rehabilitation Program clients, the need for the requested Treatment Benefit must be identified in the assessment of the rehabilitation needs, and must be included as part of the approved Rehabilitation Plan. Decisions on treatment are to be made in consultation with appropriate Departmental nursing officer. (see Rehabilitation and Vocational Assistance Services – General policy).
4. Clients not eligible for nursing services under Treatment Benefits may be eligible for services under VIP.

General

5. Nursing services provided by Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) are not intended to duplicate or replace provincial services. Clients are expected to access provincial nursing services first.

Approval of Nursing Services on the Benefit Grid

6. Nursing services for VAC clients will be approved by the designated decision maker for POC-08 Nursing Services. Decisions on nursing services proposed under the VIP or Rehabilitation Program are to be made in consultation with the appropriate District Nursing Officer.
7. The procedure for approval of each of the three components of Nursing Services is identified in the related Business Process.

Qualifications

8. Nurses must be currently registered in the province/territory in which the services are provided, in order for VAC to authorize payment.

References

Veterans Well-being Act sections 8 -17

Veterans Health Care Regulations, paragraph 4(a), subparagraph 19(a)(i)