The very first step in obtaining access to your VA Health Benefits is to apply for enrollment. Effective immediately, Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, can complete applications for enrollment in VA health care by telephone without the need for a signed paper application. All other Veterans may apply by phone starting July 5, 2016.
When Veterans choose to enroll, VA offers an enhancement to their enrollment experience through “Welcome to VA” (W2VA). W2VA enhances communication by reaching out to newly enrolled Veterans through personal phone calls upon enrollment, providing assistance with health care inquiries and assisting with their initial appointment at their preferred VA healthcare facility. In addition, VA sends each new enrollee an introductory letter and personalized Veterans Health Benefits Handbook in the mail.
For more information about the Veterans Health Benefits Handbook, visit http://www.va.gov/HEALTHBENEFITS/vhbh/index.asp For specific details, visit http://va.gov/HEALTHBENEFITS/apply/
Priority Groups
Today’s Veterans have a comprehensive medical benefits package, which VA administers through an annual patient enrollment system. The enrollment system is based on priority groups to ensure health care benefits are readily available to all enrolled Veterans. Complementing the expansion of benefits and improved access is our ongoing commitment to providing the very best in quality health care service to our patients when they are needed during that enrollment period regardless of the treatment program or the location.
Priority Group 1
•Veterans with VA-rated service-connected disabilities 50% or more disabling
•Veterans determined by VA to be unemployable due to service-connected conditions
Priority Group 2
•Veterans with VA-rated service-connected disabilities 30% or 40% disabling
Priority Group 3
•Veterans who are Former Prisoners of War (POWs)
•Veterans awarded a Purple Heart medal
•Veterans whose discharge was for a disability that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty
•Veterans with VA-rated service-connected disabilities 10% or 20% disabling
•Veterans awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38, U.S.C., § 1151, “benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation”
•Veterans awarded the Medal Of Honor (MOH)
Priority Group 4
•Veterans who are receiving aid and attendance or housebound benefits from VA
•Veterans who have been determined by VA to be catastrophically disabled
Priority Group 5
•Non service-connected Veterans and non compensable service-connected Veterans rated 0% disabled by VA with annual income below the VA’s and geographically (based on your resident zip code) adjusted income limits
•Veterans receiving VA pension benefits
•Veterans eligible for Medicaid programs
Priority Group 6
•Compensable 0% service-connected Veterans
•Veterans exposed to Ionizing Radiation during atmospheric testing or during the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
•Project 112/SHAD participants
•Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9,1962 and May 7,1975
•Veterans of the Persian Gulf War who served between August 2, 1990 and November 11, 1998
•Veterans who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987
•Currently enrolled Veterans and new enrollees who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998 and those who were discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003, are eligible for the enhanced benefits for five years post discharge.
Priority Group 7
•Veterans with gross household income below the geographically-adjusted income limits (GMT) for their resident location and who agree to pay copays
Priority Group 8
•Veterans with gross household income above the VA and the geographically-adjusted income limits for their resident location and who agrees to pay copays
Veterans eligible for enrollment:
Non compensable 0% service-connected:
•Subpriority a: Enrolled as of January 16, 2003, and who have remained enrolled since that date and/or placed in this sub priority due to changed eligibility status
•Subpriority b: Enrolled on or after June 15, 2009 whose income exceeds the current VA or geographic income limits by 10% or less
Non service-connected and:
•Subpriority c: Enrolled as of January 16, 2003, and who have remained enrolled since that date and/or placed in this sub priority due to changed eligibility status
•Subpriority d: Enrolled on or after June 15, 2009, whose income exceeds the current VA or geographic income limits by 10% or less
Veterans not eligible for enrollment:
Veterans not meeting the criteria above:
•Subpriority e: Non compensable 0% service-connected (eligible for care of their SC condition only)
•Subpriority g: Non service-connected
Harvey T. Rimel American Legion Post 141 