VETERANS PRESS: VA Medical Center Expansion of Eligibility due to early implementation of PACT Act
Beginning March 5, 2024, three new cohorts of veterans are now eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. The three cohorts are: Veterans who participated in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA), as defined by law, while serving on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.
Veterans who were assigned to a duty station in (including airspace above) certain locations during specific periods of: On or after Aug. 2, 1990, in the following countries: Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, or the United Arab Emirates.
On or after Sept. 11, 2001, in the following countries: Afghanistan, Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Uzbekistan, or any other country determined relevant by VA. (Note: VA has not determined any other country relevant at this time.)
Veterans who were deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Resolute Support Mission.
VA has announced that they are expanding health care eligibility to all veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11/2001.
Originally, the PACT Act called for a phased in approach, but has instead opened this expanded eligibility to VA Healthcare effective March 5, 2024.
Please encourage any eligible veterans to enroll in VA healthcare; they can do so online at https://www.va.gov/healthcare/apply/application/introduction, by phone at 877-222-8387, or by visiting a local VA medical facility. Veterans who qualify under Section 103 will be allocated to Priority Group 6, unless eligible for enrollment in a higher priority group, and can enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits.
For local help and information, see the North Idaho Resource Directory found in this publication.