The VA has started a pilot program to provide new, personalized Veterans Health Benefits Handbooks. The handbooks are tailored to provide enrolled Veterans with the most relevant health benefits information based on their own specific eligibility. In essence, each handbook will be written for the individual Veteran. These handbooks will give Veterans everything they need to know and leave out everything that doesnot apply to them, said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. Our Veterans will now have a comprehensive, easy to understand roadmap to the medical benefits they earned with their service. In addition to highlighting each Veterans specific health benefits, the handbook also provides contact information for the Veterans preferred local facility, ways to schedule personal appointments, guidelines for communicating treatment needs and an explanation of the Veterans responsibilities, such as copayments when applicable. Enhancing access is not just about expanding the kinds of services VA provides. It also includes making sure we do everything we can to ensure Veterans have a clear understanding of the benefits available to them so they can make full use of the services they have earned, Shinseki said. The new handbooks will initially be available only to certain Veterans in the Cleveland and Washington, D.C., areas. Following the pilot phase, full implementation is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2011 for across the county. VAs toll-free number at 1-877-222-VETS 8387
For more info on VA Health Eligibility click here.