VA versus Medicare - Vans and Respiratory Assistance

7. Converted Minivans

VA
i) The VA offers a grant to PALS whose disability has been determined by the VA to be service-connected. The grant will help defray conversion expenditures, which can be very high ($15,000 and up). The veteran must bear the cost of the van itself.

Medicare
i) Medicare offers no assistance for a van purchase or conversion. IRS Itemized deduction may be possible.

8. Hospitalization

The VA charges a co-pay for hospital room and surgical charges, which in my case was covered by my secondary insurer. I believe that Medicare benefits are similar.

9. Respiratory Function

At the VA, neurologists or pulmonologists assigned to your case may prescribe an overnight sleep study at the hospital to measure oxygen in the blood and whether you can benefit from reduced strain on the muscles used in breathing. The hospital also performs various other pulmonary tests (fvc, nif). The VA will provide a BiPap machine when your forced vital capacity (FVC) is above 50%. It is my understanding the Medicare will provide a BiPap machine only after your FVC is below 50%. My machine was provided at no cost by the VA, and I received detailed instructions on how to use it.