HOW CAN I SIGN UP FOR VA MEDICAL BENEFITS? by Keith A. Robinson, Department Commander Any veteran separated from active duty military service is eligible to sign up for VA medical care. That being said, there are (of course) a multitude of regulations to see if the VA can actually "treat you." We recommend that ALL veterans register with the VA for medical treatment. Certainly EVERY veteran with a service connected disability, Purple Heart Medal or former POW should be registered (in other words-our entire DAV membership). All service connected disabled veterans should be registered, although it is not required for treatment for your service connected disability. Your registration should be done and maintained (updated) whether you intend to use their services at this time or not. If you are a veteran VAVS volunteer only, you should already have a health record with the VA, but you should also register. The reason for being registered is two fold. First, it lets the VA Health Administration know you are interested in the VA medical system. The numbers used for veterans registered at each facility are used to plan the budgets for that facility, so you will be helping out by just registering. Secondly, your registration places you on the VA medical mailing list to alert you to certain VA medical benefits, programs and free clinics offered by the VA. Plus, each VISN also has a quarterly magazine which is sent to each enrolled veteran and gives information about veteran health issues. The VA Health Administration has just rolled out the new patient ID cards. I am told that each enrolled veteran will receive one. The VA is looking to have 100% of their previously enrolled veterans have the new cards. The new cards are bar-coded and can be used to check in at any VA facility. The advantage to this system is that it reduces your check in time and the medical service you have your appointment with is notified immediately that you are there. We realize that some veterans who are over the VA Means Test limits, do not have a service connected disability and do not have a Purple Heart (or fit in any other category), will not be able to use the VA for medical treatment (currently classified as Category 8). However, these veterans will still be listed in the VA healthcare system as interested in using it. When the current suspension of medical treatment for veterans in this category is lifted, the veteran would be contacted by the VA to return. We encourage EVERY veteran to register for VA healthcare and keep their contact information up to date. PLANNING AHEAD: The information on our upcoming State Executive Committee Meeting is March has been sent out. I hope that many of you will be able to attend the upcoming SEC meeting as our Department has again planned to have a variety of programs of interest for every veteran. I look forward to seeing many of you at the SEC Meeting. Each chapter should consider sending at least one representative for the entire schedule.. However, if for some reason(s) you cannot attend the entire meeting schedule, I would encourage all to try to attend one of the seminars being given. Please consider doing a day trip to attend one or more of the programs scheduled. Remember, you can always car pool. We have on the schedule for Friday a VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) & Hospital Service Coordinator (HSC)/Transportation Network (TN) seminar (@ 2 pm) and a Legislative Seminar (@ 3:30 pm). On Saturday the SEC meets at @ 2 pm. In addition, we have scheduled a joint Health Fair with Albany VAMC & Pfizer (10 am - 1 pm), a Chapter Service Officer Seminar (@11 am) and a Membership Seminar (@3:30 pm). Sunday is the Joint DAV & DAVA Convocation (@ 10 am). In the meantime, I trust that you all will have a happy and meaningful holiday season. Remember your loved ones. Call or visit a veteran or a veteran's surviving family member. Send a card to a Gold Star Parent. And, as always, pray for our men & women in uniform as they continue to keep us all safe. May God continue to bless all of you in the New Year. See you then. DAVNY Home Page / Hot Topics / Action Line / Join the DAV / Administration / Newsletter Newsletter Archive / Chapters / Events / DAV License Plates / Links of Interest / Send Us E-Mail / Page Last Reviewed/Modified: