An online tool created by AARP has been expanded to help veterans and their families access new PACT Act benefits and the recently announced life insurance program from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The interactive and mobile-friendly Veterans and Military Families Health Benefits Navigator went live with the updates on Dec. 8 and will update in real-time with information on new benefits and changes to existing benefits.
“If the VA or Department of Defense changes something, AARP will update that immediately,” said AARP Home and Family Expert Amy Goyer.
Originally launched in October of 2021, the online tool compiles valuable information and resources to help veterans, military families and their caregivers navigate their healthcare options.
That ensures that veterans, their families and caregivers have the most current information on which to base their decisions, Goyer said.
“AARP is very dedicated to supporting veterans and part of that really is being up-to-date with information at the time,” she continued.
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Goyer stressed that PACT Act benefits and the VA’s life insurance program do not have enrollment deadlines like other programs, such as TRICARE, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act.
“There might be something new that might benefit you and you didn’t even realize the possibility,” she said.
Goyer said she interacts with family caregivers of veterans who have no idea about the support that is available to them.
“My dad was a veteran and I got him enrolled in VA healthcare and that was absolutely a game changer for us,” she noted.
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Goyer said the navigator is “vital” for veterans and their families.
“They have earned these benefits, they deserve to have them, they are meant to be there for them,” she said. “They are the people targeted for them.”
Membership in AARP is not necessary to access the navigator.
“It is a resource we are doing in our mission to support veterans,” said Goyer.
Only 34% of veterans have utilized their earned benefits at VA health care, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.