VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System

Representatives from the Springfield, Mass., VA Vet Center, which operates a mobile Vet center that travels throughout the region, attends many of the VA information fairs held regionally in central and western Massachusetts. VA open houses and info fairs provide informaton about VA benefits and services. The mobile Vet center offers counseling and provides a key access link between Veterans and other services in the VA system.

Vet Center Spingfield has a 40-foot RV and a Tahoe truck as mobile units which VA representatives use to provide information about Veterans Health Administration benefits and additional Veterans-specific information about VA services in local communities. A lot of Veterans don't use their benefits becausty they don't know what is available to them or they don't believe they need their VA benefits. 

Vet Center mobile units are making a stronger effort to visit colleg campuses as more and more young Veterans are attending classes to help them succeed in finding work when they leave the military.

Returning combat Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan can receive cost free VA medical care for any condition related to their deployment service for five years after the date of their discharge or release. The medical care satisfies state requirements for health insurance.

"VA is making a concerted effort to reach out to student Veterans at campus sites in western Massachusetts to make Veterans aware of the federal benefits they earned and to provide information to help ease their transition from active-duty military to college life," said Stan Gadja, manager Vet Center Springfield.  "It's important for every Veteran to determine their eligibility. Our hope is that we can preclude a Veteran from having to pay thousands of dollars in health care costs.  Without going to VA, they could be left in the lurch if they develop a medical condition or are injured in an auto accident.”


During VA information seminars, Veterans who are not currently enrolled for VA benefits are encouraged to bring their DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," to assist counselors with determining individual eligibility for VA benefits. Financial information such as bank statements and insurance coverage is also important for counselors to review financial ability for health care benefits.


The Springfield Vet Center also provides readjustment counseling, community education, and provides a key access link between Veterans and other services in the VA system.

Many other services available through the Vet Center and VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System are: primary care and overall VA health benefits, services for combat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan; Women's Health; Mental Health services and treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder; assistance for Veterans with diabetes; VA nutrition and exercise programs; support to family caregivers; and home-based primary care services.

If a Veteran received an honorable discharge, he or she may qualify for health care benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Want to Enroll Today?

Veterans can learn about VA health care eligibility and enroll via the VA on-line health benefits web site at http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/ or by calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387) between the hours of
8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Area College Information

Area colleges can learn more about hosting a VA information fair by contacting Amy J. Gaskill, APR, Public Affairs Officer at (413) 582-3005 or by email at amy.gaskill@va.gov.