Maxim Healthcare’s Military and Federal team plays a vital role in helping Veterans, active-duty service members (ADSM), federal employees and their families access available care and benefits. In this article, Jason Passabet, one of Maxim’s regional directors of business development for the Military and Federal team, shares how the team uses firsthand experience and strong advocacy to help Veterans, federal families and ADSM find the care that they need. He also highlights how these efforts support caregivers and help patients remain at home with their families during treatment. The article further explores the team’s growing impact and its continued commitment to serving those who have served.

A mission driven by passion

Jason Passabet began his career at Maxim in 2004 as a recruiter in Woodbridge, Virginia, managing offices in multiple cities. During that time, he witnessed firsthand how difficult it was for military families to navigate systems like TRICARE and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This experience inspired him to join Maxim’s Military and Federal team. His goal was simple: to help military families get connected to the right resources to learn whether or not they may qualify for benefits by virtue of their service.

Maxim’s Military and Federal team reflects the community it supports, employing Veterans and military spouses whose perspectives help shape effective communication and outreach.

“Maxim’s Military and Federal team was founded almost 10 years ago by a U.S. Coast Guard Veteran, and he ran our team for several years,” says Passabet. “We have three Veterans and two military spouses on our team and their contributions are very valuable. Hiring Veterans and military spouses shape the work we do because they help us understand how our messages will land and how to talk to Veterans, service members and their families.”

Maxim’s diverse portfolio

Maxim’s Military and Federal team services a diverse portfolio for the organization that consists of:

• VA-funded care for Veterans with service-connected illnesses and injuries
• VA-funded care for spouses, dependents, caregivers and survivors
• TRICARE programs: The insurance earned by individuals that have served in any of the U.S. Armed Forces (benefits are transferred to their families)
• International patients: Assists individuals who have traveled from overseas with accessing homecare in the U.S.
• Department of Labor Workers’ Compensation services: Includes federal employees such as individuals exposed to harmful substances, coal miners with black lung disease, injured longshore workers and general federal employees

“I think the dynamic of military families is strong, and being able to keep them at home where they want to be is of extreme importance,” says Passabet. “After years of deployments and relocations, staying close to loved ones provides stability and comfort that institutional care often cannot. In-home care also keeps them from having to travel to a nursing facility several hours away.”

Providing resources in the face of barriers to care

Passabet notes one of the biggest challenges that military and federal families face when seeking in-home care is navigating the wide range of available programs.

“There are many things they can benefit from within the system, but they often don’t know what to ask for or how to navigate through the information,” says Passabet. “That’s why we’re so passionate on this team about providing resources to as many people as possible so they can benefit from them.”

Many military families are also reluctant to seek assistance when exploring their options of care, often leading to them missing out on benefits they’re entitled to.

“They’re a population that’s used to standing on their own and not asking for help,” says Passabet. “My grandfather proudly served and was entitled to many benefits before he passed, but he always said to help someone that needs it more.”

Maxim’s Military and Federal team works to bridge these gaps by simplifying the process and educating this population about the right resources.

Supporting caregivers

Caregiver support is also a key focus of Maxim’s Military and Federal team. Programs like respite care give family members time to rest and recharge, helping to prevent burnout. This is critical, as a 2024 study found that many people who care for Veterans don’t identify as caregivers.

“They look at it as their duty as a husband, wife, mother, father, son or daughter to take care of their loved one,” says Passabet. “It’s important for us to make sure that they understand that they are caregivers and they need to stay fresh and take care of themselves so they can keep providing quality care for their loved ones.”

Identifying patient military affiliation

A few years ago, Maxim’s Military and Federal team implemented processes to identify patients with military affiliations and successfully rolled them out nationwide across all offices. This initiative has uncovered opportunities for additional support that might otherwise have been missed.

“This project came after a VA initiative where the organization was trying to get all hospitals to ask about military affiliation because Veterans and service members often do not use their military health insurance or mention that they have military affiliation,” says Passabet. “The VA provides so many useful benefits that can be excluded if a hospital doesn’t know a patient has served. When hospitals do not verify a service member’s or Veteran’s status, it doesn’t just affect the patient’s benefits during their hospital stay; their records follow them to companies like Maxim, where they receive in-home care. If their military affiliation isn’t documented, the patient may be unable to access the benefits they’re entitled to. We are striving to ask 100 percent of our new referrals about military affiliation.

A decade of impact

Approaching its 10-year anniversary, Maxim’s Military and Federal team has made a significant impact nationwide. In 2025 alone, Maxim served over 1,000 TRICARE beneficiaries with almost 900,000 hours of care. Maxim also served over 1,500 VA-funded Veterans with over 1 million hours of care.

These accomplishments wouldn’t have been possible without legislative support.

“Maxim provided stakeholders with real-life patient examples and scenarios illustrating the before and aftereffects of the rule change,” says Passabet. “The Act contains a provision that changes the amount that the VA can spend on home and community-based services. It’s a very exciting development because we’re now watching the benefits that Veterans and their families are seeing from those changes. We’re proud to have played a small part in helping pass the Act.”

Looking ahead

Maxim Healthcare offers extensive home healthcare, personal care and behavioral care services to the military community. To learn more about the services available near you, contact your local Maxim office. You’ve served us; now let us support you.