All World War II Veterans Are Now Eligible for No-Cost VA Health Care and Other Services
By Don Drake, Connelly Law Offices, Ltd.
"The Department of Veterans Affairs made a significant announcement this past Friday, declaring that all World War II Veterans are now eligible for no-cost VA health care, medical services, and nursing home care," stated professional fiduciary and certified elder law Attorney RJ Connelly III. "This expansion of eligibility applies to all WWII Veterans who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, regardless of their length of service or financial status. This means these brave Veterans will not have to pay copays, enrollment fees, or monthly premiums."
To ensure that all eligible WWII Veterans know about this opportunity, the VA is actively contacting them by phone and mail, encouraging them to apply for VA care as soon as possible. It's worth noting that Veterans who enroll in VA care will still be free to keep their private providers, Medicare, and most other insurance to meet their healthcare needs.
In the press release, Dr. Shereef Elnahal, VA Under Secretary for Health, emphasized the importance of this initiative, saying, "These members of the Greatest Generation answered the call to serve when our nation – and the world – needed them most. Now, our job is to serve them in every way we can. We are proud to provide world-class, no-cost health care to these heroes at VA, and we encourage all of them to enroll today."
"Veterans who were previously denied VA health care due to income limits should reapply, as income levels are no longer a factor in determining eligibility," stated Attorney Connelly. "According to the VA, they cannot automatically enroll these veterans in health care; instead, they must take the initiative to apply for VA health care if they are not currently enrolled."
Rhode Island's WWII Veterans
Here in the Ocean State, a recent article in RI News Today by John A Cianci, the Rhode Island Department Commander for the Italian American War Veterans of RI, emphasized the significance of the eligibility for nursing home benefits for families of WWII veterans who remain at home and require additional assistance and caregiving. He urged families to apply as soon as possible, considering the approval process might take a few months. Mr. Cianci points out that, once approved, the benefits should be retroactive to the month the VA receives the application.
In addition, the RI Veterans Home would benefit from this eligibility. Cianci estimated the nursing home benefit could save WWII veterans at the home an estimated $3500 to $7000 a month. Based on the current reimbursement for nursing home care paid by the VA and the WWII veterans, the State of Rhode Island could net an estimated $3500 per month for each WWII veteran at the Veteran's Home. However, the exact details regarding this matter still need to be clarified.
Cianci stated that with an estimated forty vacant beds at the Veterans Home, the state could fill the empty beds with WWII veterans, which would undoubtedly positively impact the Veterans Home's budget. He highlighted that the nursing home benefit is not exclusive to the Veterans Home, as WWII veterans living in private nursing homes in Rhode Island can also avail themselves of this benefit, including those in contracted private nursing homes.
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