Editing Veterans Benefits (section)

== Where Can Veterans Receive Specialized Mesothelioma Treatment? ==

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<span style="font-size:2em; font-weight:bold; color:white;">2</span><br/>
<span style="color:#e8f4f8;">Specialized VA Mesothelioma Programs</span>
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<span style="font-size:2em; font-weight:bold; color:white;">$0</span><br/>
<span style="color:#e8f4f8;">Cost for Service-Connected Care</span>
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<span style="font-size:2em; font-weight:bold; color:white;">24/7</span><br/>
<span style="color:#e8f4f8;">Hospice Care Available</span>
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=== VA Boston Healthcare System - West Roxbury Campus ===

The only VA mesothelioma program on the East Coast offers comprehensive surgical and medical oncology through affiliation with Brigham & Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute:

* '''Surgical Options:''' Pleurectomy/decortication, extrapleural pneumonectomy
* '''Medical Oncology:''' Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, clinical trials
* '''Contact:''' Sarita Antonitis, Care Coordinator - (857) 203-6202
* '''Address:''' 1400 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury, MA 02132

=== West Los Angeles VA Medical Center ===

Features Dr. Robert Cameron, pioneer of the lung-sparing P/D surgical technique, at [https://mesotheliomaattorney.com/mesothelioma/treatment/best-centers/ one of America's top mesothelioma centers]:

* '''Specialization:''' Both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma
* '''Clinical Trials:''' UCLA Comprehensive Mesothelioma Program access
* '''Multidisciplinary Team:''' Surgery, oncology, radiation, palliative care
* '''Address:''' 11301 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90073

=== Additional Specialized VA Centers ===

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; margin:1em 0; border-collapse:collapse;"
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! style="background:#1a5276; color:white; padding:12px; text-align:left;" | VA Medical Center
! style="background:#1a5276; color:white; padding:12px; text-align:left;" | Affiliated Institution
! style="background:#1a5276; color:white; padding:12px; text-align:left;" | Special Programs
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| style="padding:12px; font-weight:bold; background:#e8f4f8;" | Michael E. DeBakey VAMC (Houston)
| style="padding:12px; background:#e8f4f8;" | MD Anderson Cancer Center
| style="padding:12px; background:#e8f4f8;" | Peritoneal mesothelioma expertise
|-
| style="padding:12px; font-weight:bold;" | Atlanta VA Medical Center
| style="padding:12px;" | Emory Winship Cancer Institute
| style="padding:12px;" | Immunotherapy trials
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| style="padding:12px; font-weight:bold; background:#e8f4f8;" | San Francisco VA
| style="padding:12px; background:#e8f4f8;" | UCSF Helen Diller Cancer Center
| style="padding:12px; background:#e8f4f8;" | Photodynamic therapy
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| style="padding:12px; font-weight:bold;" | Minneapolis VA
| style="padding:12px;" | University of Minnesota
| style="padding:12px;" | Intraoperative chemotherapy
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| style="padding:12px; font-weight:bold; background:#e8f4f8;" | Seattle VA
| style="padding:12px; background:#e8f4f8;" | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
| style="padding:12px; background:#e8f4f8;" | Gene therapy research
|}

For comprehensive treatment center comparisons and patient experiences, visit [https://mesothelioma.net/mesothelioma-treatment-centers/ mesothelioma.net's treatment center directory].

=== How Does Community Care Authorization Work? ===

Veterans can receive treatment at civilian facilities when VA centers cannot provide timely or specialized care through [https://www.mesotheliomalawyercenter.org/blog/veterans-mesothelioma-benefits/ Community Care authorization]:

'''Automatic Eligibility Criteria:'''
* Wait time exceeds 20 days for primary care
* Wait time exceeds 28 days for specialty care
* Drive time exceeds 30 minutes for primary care
* Drive time exceeds 60 minutes for specialty care
* VA lacks required services or equipment

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| style="padding:15px; color:#155724;" | '''✅ Good News:''' Emergency care requires notification within 72 hours at 844-724-7842. Pre-authorized care has NO copayments for service-connected conditions.
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=== What Hospice and Palliative Care Does the VA Provide? ===

The VA provides comprehensive end-of-life care at no cost for enrolled veterans:

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=== ✅ Hospice Care Benefits ===
* 24/7 in-home or facility care
* Pain and symptom management
* Medical equipment and supplies
* Respite care for family caregivers
* Bereavement counseling for 13 months
* Spiritual and emotional support

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=== ✅ Palliative Care Services ===
* Available at any disease stage
* Concurrent with curative [https://mesothelioma.net/treatment-for-mesothelioma/ treatment]
* Interdisciplinary team approach
* Advanced care planning
* Family support and education
* Coordination with oncology team
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Veterans do NOT require service connection for hospice benefits. Contact your VA social worker or call 1-800-827-1000 for enrollment assistance.

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