Veterans Can Gain Access to Health Care Services at OHI
OHI (Ocean Health Initiatives) a federally qualified health center with locations in Ocean County, has been named an eligible provider in The Veterans Choice Program.
The Veterans Choice Program provides eligible veterans with the option to receive non-VA health care services from approved community health care providers, such as OHI, in their communities. Using this program will not have any impact on existing VA health care or any other VA benefit.
Some qualifying situations for veterans include waiting more than 30 days for VA medical care, or having to travel 40 miles or more to a VA medical facility, among others. Veterans can call 866-606-8198 to find out if they qualify or visit http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/ and schedule an appointment at OHI.
Those Veterans who do qualify should use their Veterans Choice Card, which will allow them to request OHI as their community-based primary health care provider. The Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau, located on the first floor of the Ocean County One-Stop Center, 1027 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, can provide additional assistance to veterans about obtaining and using their Veterans Choice Card.
For more information about OHI, contact Kimberly Tozzi, community relations coordinator, at 732-719-9016.
About Ocean Health Initiatives
OHI is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) federally qualified health center (FQHC) with locations at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; 333 Haywood Road, Manahawkin; Lakehurst Circle Center II, 686 Route 70 Lakehurst; a health center within the Clifton Avenue Elementary School, 625 Clifton Avenue, and Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Avenue, Lakewood; and a Mobile Medical Unit. The Lakewood and Manchester sites have pharmacies.
OHI provides comprehensive preventative and primary health and dental care to Ocean County’s insured, uninsured and underinsured populations. A sliding-fee scale is available, based on an individual’s or family’s ability to pay. Services include pediatrics, maternal and child health, prenatal, WIC, universal immunizations, behavioral health, dental, family medicine, internal medicine, OB/GYN, podiatry and social services.
OHI has a bilingual staff available to assist patients and callers. To become a patient of OHI, call 732-363-6655. Visit www.ohinj.org for further information.