VA Maryland Health Care System

VA Assisting Veterans with Health Care Costs

January 6, 2009

Baltimore - For veterans struggling financially due to a job loss or decreased income, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers an assortment of programs that can relieve the costs of health care or provide care at no cost.

“With the downturn in the economy, VA recognizes that many veterans will feel the effects,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. “Therefore, it is important that eligible veterans learn of the many ways VA has to help them afford the health care they have earned.”

Veterans whose previous income was ruled too high for VA health care may be able to enter the VA system based upon a hardship if their current year’s income is projected to fall below federal income thresholds due to a job loss, separation from service or some other financial setback. Veterans determined eligible due to hardship can avoid copays applied to higher-income veterans. Qualifying veterans may be eligible for enrollment and receive health care at no cost.

Also eligible for no-cost VA care are most veterans who recently returned from a combat zone. They are entitled to five years of free VA care. The five-year “clock” begins with their discharge from the military, not their departure from the combat zone.

For information about VA health care eligibility and enrollment, interested veterans are urged to call the Enrollment Center for the VA Maryland Health Care System, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-800-463-6295, ext. 7324. Veterans may also visit the VA health eligibility website at: www.va.gov/healtheligibility.

The VA Maryland Health Care System operates three inpatient facilities and five community based outpatient clinics throughout the state to serve the needs of Maryland’s veterans. For additional information about the VA health care in Maryland or the locations of VA medical centers or outpatient clinics, veterans can visit the VA Maryland Health Care System web site at: www.maryland.va.gov.