Admissions
Admissions at the Iowa Veterans Home
If you are looking for placement for yourself or a family member please feel free to contact our Admissions Coordinator Jason Matteson for specific questions you may have about this process.
For questions regarding eligibility, admission processing, cost of care, or bed availability, contact the Admissions Office through our Contact Form or call our Admissions Coordinator, Jason Matteson, at 800-645-4591 or 641-753-4325.
Eligibility Requirements
Admission into the Iowa Veterans Home is limited according to Iowa law (Code of Iowa 35D). According to state law, the Iowa Veterans Home may admit Iowa residents who are honorably discharged veterans and their dependent spouses, surviving spouses of honorably discharged veterans, and gold star parents who are in need of receiving either nursing or residential care.
Determination of the initial level and category of care required by each applicant at the Iowa Veterans Home is handled by the admissions committee. When a bed is not immediately available in the level and category of care assigned, the applicant's name is placed on the appropriate waiting list for that level and category of care in the order of the date the application was received.
County Commission Of Veterans Affairs
Every county in Iowa has a Commission of Veterans Affairs. Prior to time of admission into the Iowa Veterans Home the County Commission in an individuals home county must certify that the each applicant for admission into the Iowa Veterans Home is eligible for admission by verifying both residency in Iowa and miliary service. Each County Commission or Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center counselor has applications for admission into the Iowa Veterans Home. The individual shall have met the residency requirements of the state of Iowa on the date of admission to the Iowa Veterans Home. Spouses must be married to a veteran for at least one (1) year before the date of application.
Locate your local Co. Commission of Veterans Affairs office here - (This link opens in a new tab; it is maintained by the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs.)
Physical Examination
Because each applicant must meet the criteria for needing either residential care or nursing care every applicant must have a current physical examination, including laboratory and x-ray findings, completed and verified on the application form by a local physician or a physician from the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Cost of Care
Applicants are admitted to the Iowa Veterans Home without regard to their financial status; and each resident's out-of-pocket payment to the Iowa Veterans Home is based on the actual cost of care for each individual resident and the individual's ability to pay using their available resources. Applicants, residents, or their legal representative are required to disclose to the Iowa Veterans Home all sources of income (pensions, social security, private or government annuities, rents, farm income, interest, etc.), assets (cash, bank accounts, savings and loan accounts, bonds, real estate and investment) must also be listed on the application, the value of the applicant's homestead must be disclosed; however, it may not be counted as an asset and may retain its exempt status under Iowa Administrative Code.
Applicants shall inform the Veterans Home of any health or nursing home insurance coverage, applicants/residents are responsible for payment of any premiums, and any insurance payments shall be applied toward the cost of medical care before Iowa Veterans Home funds are expended.
All residents of the Iowa Veterans Home are required to apply for Medicare, if not already enrolled and covered by the program. The Iowa Veterans Home pays the Medicare premium upon billing by the Social Security Administration.
Failure to make complete and accurate disclosure of income and assets is grounds for dismissal from the Home.