All World War II veterans are now eligible for no-cost Department of Veterans Affairs health care, medical services, and nursing home care.
All WWII veterans who served between Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946, are eligible under the expansion, regardless of their length of service or financial status, according to a VA release. These veterans will not have to pay copays, enrollment fees or monthly premiums.
“These members of Greatest Generation answered the call to serve when our nation – and the world – needed them most. Now, it’s our job to serve them in every way that we can,” said VA Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Shereef Elnahal in a statement.
VA is reaching out by phone and mail to encourage WWII veterans who are not currently enrolled in VA care to apply today. Veterans who enroll may also keep their private providers, Medicare, and most other insurance to meet their health care needs.
Veterans who were not approved for VA health care in the past due to income limits should apply again; income levels no longer apply due to this expansion.
The release notes these veterans are not automatically enrolled in VA health care. Instead, WWII veterans must apply for VA health care if they are not currently enrolled.
This expansion is made possible through the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2022, which was signed in December 2022.
To apply for VA health care, visit here, call 1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411), or visit your nearest VA medical center or clinic.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.