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Observational Study
. 2015 Oct;180(10):1052-8.
doi: 10.7205/MILMED-D-14-00682.

Army Active Duty Members' Linkage to Veterans Health Administration Services After Deployments to Iraq or Afghanistan and Following Separation

Megan E Vanneman  1 , Alex H S Harris  1 , Cheng Chen  1 , Beth A Mohr  2 , Rachel Sayko Adams  2 , Thomas V Williams  3 , Mary Jo Larson  2
Affiliations
Observational Study

Army Active Duty Members' Linkage to Veterans Health Administration Services After Deployments to Iraq or Afghanistan and Following Separation

Megan E Vanneman et al. Mil Med. 2015 Oct.

Abstract

This study described the rate and predictors of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom active duty Army members' enrollment in and use of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) services (linkage), as well as variation in linkage rates by VHA facility. We used a multivariate mixed effect regression model to predict linkage to VHA, and also calculated linkage rates in the catchment areas of each facility (n = 158). The sample included 151,122 active duty members who deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan and then separated from the Army between fiscal years 2008 and 2012. Approximately 48% of the active duty members separating utilized VHA as an enrollee within one year. There was significant variation in linkage rates by VHA facilities (31-72%). The most notable variables associated with greater linkage included probable serious injury during index deployment (odds ratio = 1.81), separation because of disability (odds ratio = 2.86), and various measures of receipt of VHA care before and after separation. Information about the individual characteristics that predict greater or lesser linkage to VHA services can be used to improve delivery of health care services at VHA as well as outreach efforts to active duty Army members.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Percent of active duty members with any VHA utilization as an enrollee in a VHA facility catchment area. Utilization measured in the year following member’s separation between FYs 2008 and 2012. Adjusted for characteristics shown in Table II.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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