The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has started a new campaign to urge eligible veterans to enroll in VA health care in an effort to increase access to care.
Through texts, emails, public service announcements, advertisements, and events, the campaign hopes to reach 27,234 unenrolled New York veterans who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan and encourage them to sign up for VA health care.
This campaign comes as veterans’ concerns about health problems, such as mental health disorders and suicidal thoughts, have grown. These issues may be related to repeated explosions and head trauma from low-level artillery, IEDs, missile launches, and heavy fire.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough stated, “We are investigating this issue immediately to find out more about potential health impacts because we take veteran concerns about repeated blast exposure very seriously.”Veterans should sign up for VA health care now to have complete access to primary care, mental health care, routine screenings, specialty treatment, and more. We don’t want them to wait while we do that.
According to the VA, veterans who are registered in VA programs can receive specialized testing and services for health problems associated with blast exposure.
According to VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, M.D., the more Veterans enlist, the more we can learn about the effects of blast exposure and the better treatment we can eventually give those who served.
The goal of the VA initiative is to contact all eligible veterans who can—and should—apply for VA care, even though the most recent drive comes after blast exposure concerns. Visit https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/ for detailed details.
Notably, regardless of whether they have particular medical concerns associated with their service, veterans who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other designated locations are eligible for VA health treatment based on their deployments.
Additionally, the VA opened up enrollment in VA health care to all Veterans who had been exposed to poisons and dangers earlier this year.
This covers Veterans exposed to toxins while training or active duty in the United States, as well as those who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any post-9/11 combat zone.
Veterans who don’t satisfy these requirements can frequently still get VA health care through income-based or VA disability compensation.
This most recent outreach is a component of a broader initiative that started in 2022. More than 900,000 veterans have upgraded their priority groups for lower copays, more than 4.4 million veterans and survivors have applied for disability compensation benefits, setting new all-time records, and more than 835,000 veterans have enrolled in VA health care (a 37% increase), according to the VA.
How to apply for VA health care
Apply over the phone.
For assistance, contact VA’s toll-free hotline at 877-222-8387, which is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
Apply via mail.
Fill out VA Form 10-10EZ, the Application for Health Benefits, and send it to the Health Eligibility Center at PO Box 5207, Janesville, WI 53547-5207.
Include the Power of Attorney form if you are using one. Two witnesses must sign the form if you are signing with an X.
Apply in person.
Bring completed VA Form 10-10EZ to the VA clinic or medical center that is closest to you.Click here to locate a VA clinic or medical center in your area.
Apply with Assistance
To apply for benefits, seek help from a qualified lawyer, claims representative, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO).
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