ABOUT KANSAS CITY VA MEDICAL CENTER
Located in Kansas City, Mo., the Kansas City VA Medical Center provides crisis intervention, short-term inpatient treatment, and outpatient-based services for military veterans struggling with psychiatric disorders, chemical dependency, or co-occurring issues. The hospital also offers outreach and case management for homeless veterans. If required, the VA hospital may provide medically monitored detoxification.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Before beginning treatment, patients undergo an initial assessment to help clinicians identify treatment goals and form an appropriate plan of care. Utilizing evidence-based treatment methods and peer support, the VA hospital offers specialized treatments for a range of issues. Along with chemical dependency treatment, the hospital treats veterans struggling with PTSD, depression, grief, confused thinking, and self-harming behaviors.
According to the facility’s website, the inpatient program for chemical dependency offers “education and rehabilitation to assist veterans in returning to independent living within the community.” The inpatient program provides a structured schedule of individual, group, and family counseling sessions, as well as educational classes on coping skills and relapse prevention. To promote long-term recovery, the inpatient program may also introduce patients to the principles and practices of 12-step.
Patients with a primary psychiatric disorder or co-occurring issues also receive ongoing medication management. The goal of inpatient care is to stabilize the patient and refer them to a less-intense level of care. Once a client completes inpatient treatment, they may be referred to the center’s outpatient programs. According to its website, discharged patients may also be eligible for a compensated work therapy program.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Kansas City VA Medical Center employs a qualified team of physicians, substance abuse and mental health counselors, psychiatrists, case workers, nurses, and a support staff.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The Kansas City VA Medical Center offers a 27-bed unit for individuals struggling with a primary psychiatric disorder and a separate inpatient unit for treating chemical dependency and co-occurring issues. At the time of this writing, the four individuals polled on the cleanliness of the facility offered an average rating of four out of five stars.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The two former clients polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing gave high marks across several metrics. Both alumni gave five out of five stars for the quality of group counseling sessions, the facility’s visitor policy, cleanliness, availability of counselors, counselor respect for patient’s treatment preferences, and the quality of counseling overall. Alum S.C.C. wrote that he was satisfied with the treatment and meetings offered at the facility: “Being a Veteran, I am glad the VA offers treatment. The program at the time was geared toward finding a homegroup of meetings related to quality recovery.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The two loved ones polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing disagreed with the positive feedback shared by former patients. A sibling of a patient rated the facility’s staff support and its level of family participation with just two out of five stars, adding: “The staff at the va hospital is overworked, understaffed and very crowded.” Offering three-star ratings for the facility’s counseling options, family participation, and the staff’s level of experience, the other loved one wrote: “Would not send anyone there, but it was a no cost option for us.”
FINANCING
Kansas City VA Medical Center accepts private insurance, Military Health System plans, and Medicare. In most cases, veterans do not incur any out-of-pocket costs, though a small co-pay may be required.
Updated April 2017