Bill's health care benefits for vets explained

In October 1996, Congress passed Public Law 104-262, the Veteran’s Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996. This legislation paved the way for creating the Uniformed Benefits Package — a standard enhanced health benefits plan available for all enrolled veterans.

The Uniformed Benefits Package emphasizes preventive and primary care, offering a full range of outpatient services. To receive health care under this program, most veterans must first be enrolled, and this can be accomplished at any VA health care facility or veterans’ benefit office.

You are not required to apply for enrollment if you fall into one of the following categories:
--VA has rated you with a service-connected disability of 50 percent or more.
--Less than one year has passed since you were discharged from military service for a disability that the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but that VA has not yet rated.
--You are seeking care from VA only for a service-connected disability.

Your enrollment in the VA health care system means you are eligible for a comprehensive Uniform Benefits Package of outpatient and inpatient services including preventive health services, primary health care, diagnosis and treatment, surgery, mental health, substance abuse treatment, home health care hospice care, urgent and limited emergency care, and drugs and pharmaceuticals.

Hearing aids and glasses generally require a service-connected disability rating of 10 percent or more. Additional information is available at your VA health care facility concerning restrictions for eye glasses and hearing aids.

If you are an enrolled veteran, the health care services you need can now be provided in the clinical setting that is most appropriate for you. When you first enroll in this system you may select a “preferred facility” for receiving primary care, such as the VA clinic located at 1600 Lakeside Drive in Lynchburg.

To enroll, complete VA Form 10-10EZ, and send it and a copy of your DD-214 or other document of discharge from military service to VAMC Admissions Office, Attn: Admissions (136B), 1970 Roanoke Blvd, Salem, VA 24153. VA will advise you of the priority group to which you are assigned, and will advise as to date, time and location of the appointment.

The eight priority groups now in use:
--Priority Groups One through Three include veterans with service-connected disabilities, former POWs, Purple Heart recipients and special eligibility classification;
--Group Four includes veterans who receive Aid & Attendance benefits from VA or who have been determined to be catastrophically disabled;
--Group Five veterans are those whose income and net worth are below the established dollar thresholds.
--Group Six includes veterans who are required to make co-payments and veterans receiving care only for disorders associated with exposure to toxic substance.
--Group Seven are all non-service connected veterans with income and net worth above the established dollar thresholds and who agree to specified co-payments.
--Group Eight includes veterans who meet the lower income standards that became effective June 15. The June 2009 decision announced the VA decision to relax limits in effect since January 2003. The new provision does not remove consideration of income, it does increase thresholds. If you were previously denied enrollment due to high income you may want to consider applying under the new guidelines.

For information, contact VA at (800) 827-1000 or the Service Officer for DAV Chapter 8 and VFW Post 8184 at (434) 316-0229. The office, located in the Marine Corps League Bldg at 2337 Lakeside Drive, Lynchburg, is open for walk-ins on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Thursdays by appointment.

Source: VA Booklet “Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents.” 2009 edition and information found at www.va.gov/healtheligibility/.