For Immediate Release
January 8, 2009
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VA Medical Care Hardship Program May Help Veterans Qualify for Care

Medical care may be available to veterans previously denied.

Military veterans whose income has recently changed may qualify for Veterans Administration health care even if it was denied previously based on household income, according to state Sen. Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks).

Additionally, veterans who put off applying for enrollment because they think their income is too high should provide updated income information under a new program designed to help veterans facing financial hardship. 

Under the VA's Medical Care Hardship program, personal circumstances such as loss of employment, sudden decrease in income, or increases in out-of-pocket family health care expenses factor into VA's hardship determination.

If your current and projected financial situation puts you below the VA Means Test Threshold or Geographic Means Test Threshold for the area, you may qualify for enrollment and cost-free VA medical care.

VA can help with the following:

• Hardship -- If your income has recently changed you may qualify for VA medical care without co-pays.
• Repayment Plan -- You can establish a plan to spread your current health care debt over a specified period of time.
• Compromise -- You can request a onetime monetary settlement eliminating your current health care debt.
• Waiver -- You can request that your current co-pay debt be waived. If eligible for Beneficiary Travel you might also be able to eliminate the mileage reimbursement deductable.

For more information contact your local VA Medical Care Enrollment Coordinator at 1-800-409-8771, the VA health benefits service center toll-free at 1-877-222 VETS (8387), or visit www.va.gov/healtheligibility.

Contact: 

Fran Cleaver
717-787-5072