Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that all veterans who were exposed to toxins or other hazards during their military service, whether at home or abroad, will be eligible to directly enroll in VA health insurance starting March 5, 2024. announced. This means: All veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terrorism, or any other post-9/11 combat zone can enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. I am qualified to do so. Additionally, veterans who have never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States are also eligible to enroll.
Following President Biden's direction, this expansion of VA health care would eliminate the phase-in approach required by the PACT Act, which would result in millions of veterans being retired up to eight years earlier than provided by law. It means military members will be eligible for VA health care. This is an important step forward. Because veterans who enroll in VA health care are proven to have better health outcomes than those who don't, and VA hospitals receive comprehensive quality ratings and patient satisfaction ratings. This is because hospitals dramatically outperform non-veteran hospitals in terms of Additionally, veteran health insurance is often more affordable than non-veteran health insurance.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is encouraging all eligible veterans to visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 for more information and to apply for VA health benefits starting March 5. We encourage you to apply. Since President Biden signed his PACT Act on August 10, 2022, more than 500,000 veterans have enrolled in VA health care.
“If you are a veteran who may have been exposed to toxins or hazards while serving our country at home or abroad, come to us and get the medical care you deserve,” said Veterans Affairs Secretary Dennis McDonough. I hope they accept it.” “VA has proven to be the best and most affordable health care in America for veterans, and once you join, you get lifetime access. Enroll starting March 5th.”
“Starting March 5, we will make millions of veterans eligible for VA health care years earlier than required by the PACT Act,” said Sherif Elnahar, M.D., Undersecretary for Health at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Ta. Served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terrorism, or any other post-9/11 combat zone. We are also exposed to toxins and hazards during training or active duty, even though we have never been deployed to the military, through working with chemicals, pesticides, lead, asbestos, certain paints, nuclear weapons, X-rays, etc. We can also provide home care for disabled veterans. We want to bring all of these veterans to Virginia and give them the care they deserve. ”
This decision not only expands access to VA health care, but also makes it faster and easier for millions of veterans to enroll. Many veterans believe that in order to qualify for VA health care, they must apply to receive VA Disability Compensation benefits, but this is not true. This expansion and other authorities will allow millions of eligible veterans to directly enroll in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits.
This expansion of care will benefit Vietnam Veterans, Gulf War Veterans, Iraq War Veterans, Afghanistan War Veterans, Global War on Terrorism (Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom Sentinel, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn) Targeted at veterans deployed to support emergency operations. , Inherent Resolve Operation, Resolute Support Mission), etc.
This expansion also covers many veterans who were never deployed as part of a conflict but were exposed to toxins and hazards while serving in the United States. Specifically, this expansion of care will target veterans who participated in Toxic Exposure Risk Activities (TERA). You are covered by VA healthcare whether you are domestic or international. The Department of Veterans Affairs has determined that a Veteran participated in TERA if he or she was exposed to one or more of the following hazards or conditions while on active duty, active duty in training, or inactive training: air pollutants ( combustion pits, sand, dust, particulate matter, oil well fires, sulfur fires); chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, depleted uranium with embedded debris, contaminated water); Occupational hazards (asbestos, industrial solvents, lead, paints with chemical-resistant coatings, fire-fighting foam). Radiation (handling, maintenance and detonation of nuclear weapons, radioactive materials, calibration and measurement sources, X-rays, radiation from military occupational exposures). agents of war (nerve agents, chemical and biological weapons); more. The VA uses all available information, including military records and service connections, to determine whether a veteran has participated in TERA.
To learn more about how the PACT Act helps veterans and their survivors, visit VA's PACT Act Dashboard. To apply for care and benefits today, visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411. More information about eligibility can be found at VA.gov/PACT.
