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The Nuts and Bolts of VA Health Care Enrollment

By Jim Hall

Let's start by stomping out a fire caused by an Internet rumor that said veterans would lose their VA medical benefits if they weren't enrolled for VA health care by Oct. 1, 1998. It isn't true and never has been, and that's straight from the VA and the DAV!

Now, the nuts and bolts of the VA Patient Enrollment System ... Why even have a VA Patient Enrollment System? Is it a ploy to create more paperwork to make it harder or eliminate health care services at VA medical centers? Absolutely not! It's part of the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, and mandates an enrollment system be in place by October 1, 1998.

Note the words "be in place." It doesn't say anything about losing your eligibility. Not only that, if you've received health care service at a VA medical facility since October 1, 1996, an application will be processed automatically for you. In fact, you're not even required to enroll if you have a service-connected disability of 50% or more, are seeking VA medical care only for a service-connected disability, or were discharged from active duty less than a year ago for a condition not yet rated compensable by VA.

"That's great," you're thinking, "but I don't fall into that category."

No Problem. Veterans who may need VA healthcare in the future are encouraged to apply for enrollment. It's easy to apply. Just contact your nearest VA medical facility for an application, fill it out and mail it in. Your application will be reviewed by VA and you'll be assigned to one of the seven new priority groups. When you are assigned to a priority group, you'll be notified by the VA. They'll even confirm your preferred primary care facility.

For veterans who wait until after Oct. 1, 1998, you can enroll at the time care is needed, even after Oct. 1, 1998.

There are a number of advantages to early enrollment. First, you get it out of the way and don't have to worry about it any more. That eliminates doing more paperwork when you go to the VA medical facility for treatment. It also helps the VA develop more comprehensive services based on a known veteran population and their needs. VA health care services will also be easier to obtain from one VA medical facility to another because they can share information more readily. For veterans traveling, moving or residing in different parts of the country at different times of the year, that's a big plus. And these are just some of the advantages. A VA enrollment hotline has been established to provide information on enrollment, enrollment forms, and additional information. The hotline number is 1-877-222-8387 and is staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., eastern time, Monday through Saturday.

Reprinted from DAV Magazine, (July / August 1998).