Health Care Cost Assistance available for Military Veterans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 6, 2009

VA Assisting Veterans with Health Care Costs

WASHINGTON -- For veterans struggling financially
due to a job loss or decreased income, the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) offers an assortment of programs that
can relieve the costs of health care or provide care at no cost.

“With the downturn in the economy, VA recognizes that many
veterans will feel the effects,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Dr. James B. Peake. “Therefore, it is important that eligible
veterans learn of the many ways VA has to help them afford
the health care they have earned.”

Veterans whose previous income was ruled too high for VA
health care may be able to enter the VA system based upon a
hardship if their current year’s income is projected to fall below
federal income thresholds due to a job loss, separation from
service or some other financial setback.

Veterans determined eligible due to hardship can avoid copays
applied to higher-income veterans. Qualifying veterans may be
eligible for enrollment and receive health care at no cost.

Also eligible for no-cost VA care are most veterans who recently
returned from a combat zone. They are entitled to five years of
free VA care. The five-year “clock” begins with their discharge
from the military, not their departure from the combat zone.

Each VA medical center across the country has an enrollment
coordinator available to provide veterans information about these
programs. Veterans may also contact VA’s Health Benefits
Service Center at 1-877-222 VETS (8387) or visit the
VA health eligibility website at www.va.gov/healtheligibility .

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