The PACT Act is a law that expanded Veterans Affairs healthcare and benefits to millions of veterans, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. That change is affecting how care is planned and delivered across the system.
What does this mean for VA case managers and Veteran Service Organization (VSO) outreach teams? As a VA case manager or Veteran Service Organization, are you seeing?
- More veterans with complex needs
- More requests for in-home support
- More coordination across partners, providers and families
Many teams are working to keep up with rising demand while still ensuring each veteran gets timely and appropriate care.
At BrightStar Care®, we want to help with this shift that is creating added pressure for VA teams and the partners you work with. Our role is to help ease that burden by extending veteran care services into the home in a way that is consistent, dependable and easy to coordinate—so you can stay focused on the veterans who need you most.
What the PACT Act Changes
Expanded Eligibility for Benefits
The PACT Act added more than 300 conditions linked to burn pits, Agent Orange and other toxic exposures. It also expanded access to VA health care for veterans who served in qualifying locations and time periods, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This has widened the group of veterans entering VA systems for evaluation and ongoing care. Many are coming forward for the first time in years, often with multiple health conditions that have developed or progressed over time.
As a VA case manager or VSO outreach, you may be seeing:
- More eligibility screenings and documentation review
- More complex coordination across benefit types
- More frequent transitions into long-term care planning
As these veterans move through intake and assessment, care plans often need to account for both clinical treatment and daily support needs. In some cases, home-based services are being considered earlier to help maintain stability between appointments and reduce gaps in care.
Increased Demand for Care Services
- Case managers are managing more referrals
- VSO teams are assisting more veterans through enrollment and benefits education
- Care coordination teams are working across more providers to align services
At the same time, many veterans are presenting with overlapping needs such as chronic disease management, recovery support, infusion therapy and mobility assistance. This combination of higher volume and higher complexity is increasing pressure on coordination workflows and reinforcing the need for reliable community-based support options.
The Growing Need for Home-Based Veteran Care
Chronic Conditions and Aging Veteran Population
There are about 15.7 million veterans in the United States, according to 2024 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Many are older adults living with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, mobility challenges and other conditions often requiring ongoing care at home.
When services are well coordinated, it can also help ease the burden for VA case managers .
Caregiver Burden and Support Gaps
Family caregivers play a major role in caring for veterans at home. According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), about 1 in 4 adults in the United States provide ongoing care for a family member. Most of this care (94 percent) is for over age 50. Caregivers also provide more than $600 billion in unpaid care each year.
Common challenges include:
- Not enough training for complex care needs
- Stress and burnout over time
- Gaps in coverage when family members are not available
For VA case managers and VSO outreach teams, these gaps can affect how steady a veteran’s care is from week to week.
Home care coverage can help by:
- Supporting daily needs at home
- Giving family caregivers a break
- Helping keep care more consistent at home
How Home Care Supports Veterans Under the PACT Act
Personal Care and Daily Support
Many veterans who qualify for benefits under the PACT Act need help with everyday activities at home. This can include:
- Bathing and personal hygiene
- Dressing and grooming
- Meal preparation
- Light housekeeping
- Medication reminders
This type of assistance can help veterans remain safe and independent while continuing to live at home. For VA case managers, having reliable support in place can help address day-to-day needs that may otherwise become barriers to recovery or long-term wellness.
Skilled Nursing and Specialized Care
Some veterans need more advanced care due to chronic health conditions, injuries or recovery after a hospital stay.
Depending on the veteran's needs, skilled nursing services may include:
- Medication management
- Wound and ostomy care
- IV and nutrition therapy
- Vital signs and health monitoring
- Chronic disease support
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech-language pathology
- Patient and family education
RN-led care can help veterans receive clinical support at home while staying connected to their broader care plan. For VA teams, this can help improve continuity of care and support smoother transitions after hospitalization or other changes in health status.
Care Coordination With VA Teams
Coordinating care across providers, caregivers and support services can be challenging, especially when veterans have complex care needs.
In-home care can help by:
- Sharing updates with authorized care teams
- Monitoring changes in a veteran's condition
- Supporting transitions between care settings
- Helping ensure care plans are followed at home
Strong communication ensures everyone stays informed and focused on the veteran's needs and well-being. When home care providers and VA teams work together, veterans often experience fewer disruptions in care and families have greater confidence that support is in place when they need it.
Real-World Impact
Kenneth R., a Marine Corps veteran, receives regular VA home care services through BrightStar Care. His caregiver provides daily assistance and companionship, which allows his wife to take needed breaks and focus on her own well-being.
"I can attend appointments, run errands, go for a walk or visit friends because I know I can trust and depend on the BrightStar Care team."
— Leota R.
Stories like Kenneth's show how home-based support can benefit the entire care team, not just the veteran. Read more veteran and caregiver stories in BrightStar Care's article, "Honoring Those Who Served: Tailored Care for Veterans."
Improved Coordination for Veterans and Families
One of the biggest challenges for VA case managers and VSO outreach teams is ensuring veterans receive consistent support between appointments, referrals and care transitions. When home care is an integral part of the care plan, it can help:
- Support communication between care teams and family caregivers
- Reinforce care plans between provider visits
- Help veterans stay safe and supported at home
- Provide relief for family caregivers
- Support recovery after a hospital stay
- Promote dignity, independence and quality of life
This added layer of support can help veterans remain engaged in their care while giving families and care teams greater confidence that day-to-day needs are being met.
BrightStar Care’s Veteran Care Model
Experience Supporting VA Programs
Supporting veterans often takes coordination between VA teams, family caregivers and local providers. BrightStar Care has experience supporting veterans with Personal Care and Skilled Nursing services delivered in the home. Care teams work with veterans, families and VA coordinators to make sure care matches each person’s plan and needs, including support with streamlining claims and care coordination across services and settings.
This helps create a smoother experience for veterans. It also gives VA case managers and VSO outreach teams a partner that understands the need for clear communication, steady follow through and quick response when needs change.
Nationwide Coverage and Consistency
Veterans and their families rely on VA case managers to find home care partners who can provide steady support in their local area. When choosing a provider, consistency is important. Care quality, safety and communication should not change from one location to another.
As a case manager, you may be looking for providers that offer:
- Standard caregiver training
- Consistent care steps across locations
- RN oversight and clinical support
- Clear communication with care teams
- Local teams that understand community resources
BrightStar Care provides RN-led home care across 41 states with the same care standards in every location. Local teams work with VA partners to start care on time, share updates and keep everyone aligned.
This mix of national reach and local support helps VA teams feel confident that veterans can get steady care wherever they live.
Meeting The Growing Need For Veteran Care In The Home
The PACT Act has opened access for millions of veterans, but it has also added new pressures for VA case managers and VSO outreach teams. More veterans are entering care with complex needs that often require support beyond the clinic and into the home.
Home-based care can help fill that gap. It supports daily needs, strengthens caregiver support and helps improve consistency between visits and care settings. For VA teams, it can also ease coordination challenges and add another layer of support for veterans and families.
BrightStar Care works alongside VA partners to help extend care into the home in a way that is consistent, reliable and easy to coordinate. To learn more about coordination support for veterans receiving home-based care, visit BrightStar Care’s Veteran Care services or contact your local Bright