United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Health, Education, and Human Services Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1994-10-24 monographic deposited born digital 30 p. GA 1.13:HEHS-95-13 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-95-13 P0b002ee1803832e4 f:he95013 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-HEHS-95-13 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-HEHS-95-13 HEHS-95-13 Health care cost control Health care programs Medicare programs Long-term care Veterans benefits Veterans hospitals Health insurance Health services administration Health care planning Projections Health Security Act Clinton Health Care Plan National Health Care Reform Initiative Letter Report HEHS Medicare-eligible veterans make substantial use of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services not extensively covered under Medicare. GAO found that many of these veterans turn to VA specifically to obtain such services, particularly prescription drugs, inpatient psychiatric care, and long-term nursing care. Also, many Medicare-eligible veterans who use VA health care facilities have lower incomes and less private insurance than those who rely solely on Medicare, suggesting that out-of-pocket costs may have influenced veterans to turn to VA for health care. Changes to Medicare or veterans health benefits made as a result of health care reform could significantly affect future demand for VA health care services. Medicare changes that would add benefits, such as outpatient prescription drugs, or reduce beneficiary cost sharing could lower demand for VA health care services. On the other hand, VA benefit changes, such as the elimination of restrictions on access to outpatient services, improved access to care, and expanded entitlement to free care, could boost demand for VA health care. Finally, the historic reluctance of Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in health maintenance organizations could reduce their willingness to enroll in VA health plans as long as traditional fee-for-service care remains available under Medicare. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-95-13/html/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-95-13.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-95-13/pdf/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-95-13.pdf GAO/HEHS-95-13 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-HEHS-95-13 Letter Report GAO/HEHS-95-13; Veterans' Health Care: Use of VA Services by Medicare-Eligible Veterans; Health care cost control Health care programs Medicare programs Long-term care Veterans benefits Veterans hospitals Health insurance Health services administration Health care planning Projections Health Security Act Clinton Health Care Plan National Health Care Reform Initiative