Inspira Health has introduced a new pay policy for employees who are called up for active duty and has implemented a streamlined process for veterans seeking medical and behavioral health care. The goal is to help veterans get the care they need in a timely fashion.

The new pay policy for employees called up for active duty will help reduce the financial burden that can result when employees take a military leave of absence from their civilian jobs. For full-time and part- time employees, Inspira will supplement the difference between their regular pay and what they received while on military leave for up to 12 months per assignment.

“Veterans who have served our nation and active duty personnel have willingly made sacrifices for the good of our country,” said Erich Florentine, senior vice president and chief people officer, Inspira Health. “As an organization, we are committed to supporting our employees who serve, and ensuring that veterans in our communities have convenient access to the health care services they need.”

To quickly identify patients who are veterans, a question about veteran status is asked early in the registration process at Inspira’s hospitals, ERs and urgent care centers. This allows Inspira’s Registration and Care Coordination teams to provide veterans with the appropriate number to notify the VA they are in the hospital. A recent decision by the VA, allowing veterans to seek care at urgent care centers, has created expanded options for accessing timely care.

And with the passing of the federal Mission Act in 2018, a more user-friendly process was established to help coordinate any care a veteran might need, both in the community and in VA facilities. Inspira staff have been provided with a list of VA phone numbers so that they can direct veterans to the appropriate VA resource. Staff also have access to printed materials that explain VA services and benefits.