Noteboom The Law Firm

More Combat Veterans Qualify For Free Health Care

February 25, 2011 - Health care is a concern for everyone in this country, and especially for those soldiers transitioning to the civilian world after they have spent almost every day in the military beating their bodies up in one way or another. Eventually that abuse will take its toll, and it is good to know health care will be available.

All veterans, including activated Reservists and Guard members, who served in combat zones after November 11, 1998 had their eligibility windows for health care extended under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers free-of-cost health care under their "Combat Veteran" authority. At a minimum qualification, veterans must suffer from injuries or other medical situations connected to their military service and have not suffered a dishonorable discharge.

Under the VA's new expanded rules of eligibility, more veterans will qualify for the free health care. The new rules speak specifically to combat veterans who separated or were discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003. Those combat veterans meeting that qualification are now provided a 5-year window in which to enroll in VA health care starting on their date of separation. For those with numerous call-ups, their 5-year window begins on their last discharge date.

There was also a provision for those combat veterans who separated prior to January 28, 2003. If they never enrolled in the VA health care system, they are now being given 3 years in which to enroll. For those who did not take advantage of this window, it unfortunately ended on January 27, 2011.