Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 690 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN'S SERVICES
Chapter 690-1 - FEE FOR RESIDENCY IN A FACILITY OF THE GEORGIA STATE WAR VETERANS HOME
Rule 690-1-.01 - Purposes

(1) The purpose of this rule is to implement O.C.G.A § 38-4-56, for the Veterans Service Board to provide for a reasonable fee for residency in and services provided by a facility of the Georgia State War Veterans' Home (SVH); to provide for a full or partial waiver of such fee based on economic need; such fee waivers shall be established on a sliding scale based on established criteria, including, without limitation, consideration of assets, income and other resources.

(2) The philosophy of the Veterans Service Board for establishing a reasonable fee to be charged to veteran patients by the SVHs is the fee shall be directly related to and will not exceed the maximum value of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Aid and Attendance (A&A) benefit for single veterans with no income, as established and periodically adjusted by the VA under the rules of Title 38 of the United States Code (USC).

(3) O.C.G.A. § 38-4-56(b)indicates a primary focus for collection of any fees under this Code Section is the VA's A&A benefit as the primary example of an assignment source. Accordingly, the purpose of this rule is to establish and collect a reasonable fee based on the value of the VA's A&A benefit, as defined elsewhere in this rule.

(4) The funds collected in accordance with this Chapter will be used to provide a place of residency for and services to the veteran patients of the SVHs, maintenance and operations of the SVHs, and to augment the funding of operations of the SVHs, which are primarily supported through state appropriations and VA per diem payments.

(5) The purpose of the VA's A&A benefit is to assist veterans in paying the direct costs of their medical care. By federal law under Title 38 USC, the VA's A&A benefit is paid to the veterans and the veterans are responsible to pay the provider(s) of medical care for the care and services received.

(6) In accordance with VA rules and regulations veteran patients of SVHs receiving VA pension benefits are able to file claims with the VA to obtain the A&A benefit. As part of those claims, the income verifications contain information on the amount of moneys paid for medical care by the veterans, regardless of providers, to include fees paid to SVHs. Thus, depending on the VA rules and regulations and approval by the VA, eligible veteran patients may get all or part of the fees paid to SVHs refunded back to them by the VA.