I am going to forego my typical witty banter and launch into this week’s topic, VA Health Care for all World War II Veterans. I have borrowed much of the content from a VA press release. If you would like to read the original (with mistakes), then please visit va.gov/wilmington-health-care/news-releases/all-wwii-veterans-are-now-eligible-for-va-health-care
All WWII Veterans are now eligible for no-cost VA inpatient and outpatient health care. All WWII Veterans who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946 are now eligible for VA health care, regardless of their length of service or financial status. These Veterans will not have to pay inpatient or outpatient copays, enrollment fees, or monthly premiums.
However, these Veterans may still have to pay modest copayments for medication, urgent care or long-term care in some cases, depending on their eligibility and service connection.
The VA is reaching out by phone and mail to encourage WWII Veterans who are not currently enrolled in VA care to apply today. Veterans who enroll may also keep their private providers, Medicare, and most other insurance to meet their health care needs.
All WWII Veterans are encouraged to enroll in VA health care – the best, most-affordable health care in America for Veterans. Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care are proven to have better health outcomes than non-enrolled Veterans, and VA hospitals have dramatically outperformed non-VA hospitals in overall quality ratings and patient satisfaction ratings.
Veterans who were not approved for VA health care in the past due to income limits should apply again; income levels no longer apply due to this expansion. VA cannot automatically enroll these Veterans in health care; WWII Veterans must apply for VA health care if they are not currently enrolled.
This expansion is made possible through the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2022 (Cleland-Dole Act), signed in December 2022.
To apply for VA health care, visit VA’s health care enrollment website, call 1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411), visit your nearest VA medical center or clinic, or contact your County Veterans Service Officer.
A friendly reminder if you missed my last two articles, the Veterans Services office has moved from the basement to the main level of the Lake County Service Center. The new space is access controlled (locked). We are encouraging appointments.
Brad Anderson and Melissa Crandall are the Lake County Veterans Service Officers and can be reached at 218.834.8326 or cvso@co.lake.mn.us
Karen Christianson is the Cook County Veterans Service Officer and can be reached at 218.387.3639, or karen.christianson@co.cook.mn.us
