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VA New England Healthcare System

 

Returning Service Members

VA can provide you with priority health care and benefits assistance even if you are still on active duty or an activated member of the National Guard or Reserve. If you are a discharged veteran of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF), VA can provide you medical care for 5 years from your military discharge date for conditions you believe are related to your military service regardless of your income or eligibility status.

For information regarding enrollment processes, special services, types of health care, and who to contact for questions you may have regarding any benefits or services provided by the VA New England Healthycare System, visit one of our VA Health Care Systems linked below.

Special Eligibility and Coordination of Care for Combat Veterans Serving in Combat Theater After 11/11/1998- Returning Servicemembers (OEF/OIF/OND)

The Post-9/11 Transition and Care Management Program offers transitional assistance, case management and outreach services to all Veterans who have served after September 11, 2001 in their transition to civilian life. For more information about the various programs available for recent returning service members, log on to the Returning Servicemembers web site.

Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations also have special eligibility for VA health care. Under the "Combat Veteran" authority VA provides cost-free health care services and nursing home care for conditions possibly related to military service and enrollment in Priority Group 6 or higher for 5 years from the date of discharge or release from active duty, unless eligible for enrollment in a higher priority group.

Combat Veterans who enroll with VA under this enhanced Combat Veteran authority will continue to be enrolled even after their enhanced eligibility period ends, although they may be shifted to Priority Group 7 or 8, depending on their income level, and required to make applicable copays. Additionally, for care not related to combat service, copays may be required depending on their financial assessment and other special eligibility factors.

NOTE: The 5-year enrollment period applicable to these Veterans begins on the discharge or separation date of the service member from active duty military service, or in the case of multiple call-ups, the most recent discharge date.

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