Veterans in VA healthcare system won’t get fined by Affordable Care Act

| December 12, 2012

COSHOCTON – Veterans who are enrolled in VA’s healthcare system will not face fines when the Affordable Care Act (ACA) goes into effect in 2014 according to the Veterans Health Administration.

Their enrollment counts as health insurance under provisions in the ACA. This is largely thanks to efforts of various service organizations such as the VFW, which resulted in having VA health care recognized as meeting minimum health insurance standards.

“We estimate that only about one-third of Coshocton County’s veteran population is currently enrolled in VA health care and we would like to see that number doubled,” said Jim Barstow, Coshocton County Veterans Service Officer. “I would like to encourage all veterans who are not yet enrolled to visit our office to apply for this benefit.

“If you served in the active military, naval or air service and are separated under any condition other than dishonorable, you may qualify for VA healthcare benefits,” Barstow said. “This can be especially important to those who are struggling to pay escalating insurance premiums.”

Current and former members of the Reserves or National Guard who were called to active duty – other than for training – by a federal order and completed the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty may also be eligible.

VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinics are located in Zanesville, Newark, New Philadelphia and Cambridge. Transportation to and from VA medical appointments can also be provided.

VA says about 8.6 million veterans are enrolled in its health care system and another 6.6 million are eligible to enroll.

To learn more about VA health care, contact the Veterans Service Office at 740-622-2313 or stop by the office at 318 Main St., in the Courthouse basement.

Category: Government

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Article contributed to The Beacon.

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