Enrolling in uniform benefits for health care

By Don Mustard
Published: August 18, 2008

In October 1996, Congress passed the Veterans’ Health Care Eligibility Reform Act. This legislation paved the way for creating the Uniformed Benefits Package — a standard, enhanced, health benefits plan available for all enrolled veterans.

The Uniformed Benefits Package emphasizes preventive and primary care, offering a wide range of outpatient services. To receive health care under this program, most veterans must first be enrolled, and this can be accomplished at any VA health care facility or veterans’ benefit office.

You are not required to apply for enrollment, if you fall into one of the following categories:

—VA has rated you with a service-connected disability of 50 percent or more.
—Less than one year has passed since you were discharged from military service for a disability that the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but that VA has not yet rated.
—You are seeking care from VA only for a service-connected disability.

Your enrollment in the VA health care system means you are eligible for a comprehensive Uniform Benefits Package of outpatient and inpatient services including preventive health services, primary health care, diagnosis and treatment, surgery, mental health, substance abuse treatment, home health care, hospice care, urgent and limited emergency care, drugs and pharmaceuticals.

Hearing aids and glasses generally require a service-connected disability rating of 10 percent or more. Additional information about restrictions for eye glasses and hearing aids is available at your VA health care facility.

If you are an enrolled veteran, the health care services you need can now be provided in the clinical setting that is most appropriate for you. When you first enroll in this system, you may select a preferred facility for receiving primary care, such as the VA clinic located on Lakeside Drive in Lynchburg, which is scheduled to open shortly.

To enroll, complete VA Form 10-10EZ, and send this and a copy of your DD-214 or other documentation of discharge from military service to VAMC Admissions Office, Attn: Admissions (136B), 1970 Roanoke Blvd, Salem, VA 24153. VA will advise you of the priority group to which you are assigned, and will advise as to date, time and location of the appointment.

The seven priority groups now in use are summarized as follows: Priority Groups One through Three include veterans with service connected disabilities, former POWs, Purple Heart recipients and special eligibility classification. Group Four includes veterans who receive Aid & Attendance benefits from VA or who have been determined to be catastrophically disabled. Group Five veterans are those whose income and net worth are below the established dollar thresholds. Group Six includes veterans who are required to make co-payments and veterans receiving care only for disorders associated with exposure to toxic substance. Group Seven includes all non-service connected veterans with income and net worth above the established dollar thresholds and who agree to specified co-payments.

DAV Chapter 8 will host a special presentation on Adult Day Care immediately prior to the monthly meeting on Aug. 26. Call (434) 316-0229 for details.
For information, contact VA at (800) 827-1000 or the Service Officer for DAV Chapter 8 and VFW Post 8184 at (434) 316-0229. The office, located in the Marine Corps League Bldg at 2337 Lakeside Drive, Lynchburg, is open for walk-ins 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and by appointment on Thursdays.

Source: VA Booklet “Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents.” 2008 edition.