Monday, June 11, 2012

Priority Group 8 Vets, New Law Opens VA Health Care


A recent change in the laws governing VA health care provides VA additional funding to allow expanded enrollment opportunity for certain Priority 8 Veterans who may have been previously denied enrollment in VA's health care system because their income exceeded VA's national and geographically-adjusted means test thresholds.
The new regulations took effect on June 15, 2009 and enable the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to relax income restrictions on enrollment for health benefits. While this new provision does not remove consideration of income, it does increase income thresholds. You may be eligible for enrollment under this new provision, even if you have been denied coverage in the past.
A Veteran applying for enrollment on or after June 15, 2009, who does not qualify for a higher priority group and whose income exceeds VA's national and geographically-adjusted means test threshold by 10% of less will be placed in Priority Group 8b (if the Veteran is non-compensable 0% service-connected) or 8d (if the Veteran is nonservice-connected) and enrolled in the VA health care system. This new financial threshold is referred to as the "Enrollment threshold."
Your Next Step:
If you applied after Jan. 1, 2009 simply wait for the VA to contact you after their re-evaluation period.
If you originally applied for VA health care prior to Jan. 1, 2009 you should visit the VA Health Care Calculator to determine if you are eligible under the new Priority Group 8 guidelines.
Complete and submit VA Form 10-10EZR, Health Benefits Renewal form to have your eligibility for health care enrollment reassessed against the new "Enrollment threshold."
If you need assistance contact VA's Health Resource Center at 1-877-222 VETS (8387); or visit the VA health eligibility website atwww.va.gov/healtheligibility/.

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