Shawn Tracy, NSO II
Oklahoma City VA Medical Center
IInformation for Veterans about Health Care Reform
Many Veterans have questions about the new health care reform law. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) offers the following information about the law and its impact on Veterans. This document addresses only the most pressing questions that have been raised. VHA will provide additional information about the new law as it is developed.
Impact Nothing in the new law changes anything about VA health care
The law contains many complex provisions, including many reforms to the practices of the health insurance industry. Nothing in the new law changes anything about the Veterans’ health care program. Enrolled Veterans may still rely on VHA for their health care in the same manner as before the law.
Beginning in 2014, everyone will be required to have health care coverage
The law requires that every individual must have some form of health care coverage. The coverage must meet a minimum standard so that everyone will be able to have a minimum level of care. Congress wrote into the law a provision that says the Veterans’ health care program, administered by VHA, meets the standard for health care coverage.
Enrolled Veterans do not have to purchase additional coverage
Because the Veterans’ health care program meets the standard under the law, Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program do not need to obtain additional health care coverage. Veterans may continue to purchase additional coverage if they wish, but the law does not require them to do so.
VA Phone Scam:
The Department of Veterans Affairs is warning veterans not to give credit card numbers, bank routing information or any personal and financial information over the phone to callers claiming to update, confirm, or verify VA-related information. VA does not call veterans and ask them to disclose personal financial information over the phone. A veteran targeted by scammers alerted VA, saying that someone called claiming to be with the VA pharmacy and asking a lot of questions. The caller ID indicated that the incoming call was from (888) 555-1234. There are a number of scams associated with this number, and it’s been reported that the callers will call repeatedly and become aggressive. They will claim to be a VA employee and say a medical card has expired and that the veteran must send a check for a certain dollar amount for a renewal. In other versions, the caller says that a bank account is listed on a public computer, and in order to get it removed, the caller needs to verify the veteran’s bank information. Be leery of any calls originating from this number. VA has not changed its process for dispensing prescriptions or for enrollment. Veterans with questions about VA services should call (877) 222-8387 or the nearest VA medical center. [Source: AL Online Updates 14 Apr 2010 ++]New Scholarship for the
Children of Fallen Service
Members Benefit Honors Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry
WASHINGTON – The children of military personnel who died in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001 can apply for an educational scholarship similar to the new Post-9/11 GI Bill. Benefits are retroactive to Aug. 1, 2009.
The scholarship, which is administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, are named after Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry, 28, a Texas native who died in Iraq in 2006 while disarming an explosive. He was survived by three young children. "The Fry scholarship represents this nation’s solemn commitment to care for children whose mothers and fathers paid the ultimate price for our country," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
VA begins accepting applications for the Fry scholarship on May 1, 2010. For more information or assistance applying, call toll-free 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551), or visit the VA GI Bill Website at www.gibill.va.gov. VA estimates nearly 1,500 children will receive benefits under the Fry scholarship program in 2010. Recipients generally have 15 years to use their benefits, beginning on their 18th birthdays.
Eligible children attending institutions of higher learning may receive payments to cover their tuition and fees up to the highest amounts charged to public, in-state students at undergraduate institutions in each state. A monthly housing allowance and stipend for books and supplies are also paid under this program.
VA will begin paying benefits under the Fry scholarships on Aug. 1, 2010. Eligible participants may receive benefits retroactively to August 1, 2009, the same day the Post-9/11 GI Bill took effect. Eligible children may be married. Recipients are entitled to 36 months of benefits at the 100 percent level. When dependents also serve in the military, the reserves or are Veterans in their own right, eligible for education benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill for Active Duty, the Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserves or the Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP), then they would relinquish their eligibility under those programs to receive benefits under a Fry scholarship.
Mark Steve, NSO III
Wichita RJ Dole VAMROC