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In one of the largest-ever expansions of Veteran health care, all Veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards during military service — at home or abroad — will be eligible for VA health care beginning March 5

The VA announced that all Veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military — at home or abroad — will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care beginning March 5, 2024. This means that all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. Additionally, Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States will also be eligible to enroll.

As directed by President Biden, this expansion of VA health care eliminates the phased-in approach called for by the PACT Act — meaning that millions of Veterans are becoming eligible for VA health care up to eight years earlier than written into law. This is a critical step forward because Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care are proven to have better health outcomes than non-enrolled Veterans, and VA hospitals have dramatically outperformed non-VA hospitals in overall quality ratings and patient satisfaction ratings. Additionally, VA health care is often more affordable than non-VA health care for Veterans. 

VA encourages all eligible Veterans to visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more and apply for VA health care beginning March 5. Since President Biden signed the PACT Act into law on August 10, 2022, more than 500,000 Veterans have enrolled in VA health care.

“If you’re a Veteran who may have been exposed to toxins or hazards while serving our country, at home or abroad, we want you to come to us for the health care you deserve,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “VA is proven to be the best, most affordable health care in America for Veterans – and once you’re in, you have access for life. So don’t wait, enroll starting March 5th.”

“Beginning March 5, we’re making millions of Veterans eligible for VA health care years earlier than called for by the PACT Act,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, M.D. “With this expansion, VA can care for all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11. We can also care for Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty here at home – by working with chemicals, pesticides, lead, asbestos, certain paints, nuclear weapons, x-rays, and more. We want to bring all of these Veterans to VA for the care they’ve earned and deserve.”

In addition to expanding access to VA care, this decision makes it quicker and easier for millions of Veterans to enroll. Many Veterans believe they must apply to receive VA disability compensation benefits to become eligible for VA health care, but this is not correct. With this expansion and other authorities, millions of eligible Veterans can enroll directly in VA care – without any need to first apply for VA benefits.

This expansion of care covers Vietnam Veterans, Gulf War Veterans, Iraq War Veterans, Afghanistan War Veterans, Veterans who deployed in support of contingency operations for the Global War on Terror (Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Resolute Support Mission), and more.

This expansion also covers many Veterans who never deployed as a part of a conflict but were exposed to toxins or hazards while serving in the U.S. Specifically, under this expansion of care, any Veteran who participated in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) — at home or abroad – is eligible for VA health care. VA has determined that Veterans who were exposed to one or more of the following hazards or conditions during active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training participated in a TERA:air pollutants (burn pits, sand, dust, particulates, oil well fires, sulfur fires);chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, depleted uranium with embedded shrapnel, contaminated water); occupational hazards (asbestos, industrial solvents, lead, paints including chemical agent resistant coating, firefighting foams); radiation (nuclear weapons handling, maintenance and detonation, radioactive material, calibration and measurement sources, X-rays, radiation from military occupational exposure); warfare agents (nerve agents, chemical and biological weapons); and more. VA will use all available information to determine if Veterans participated in a TERA, including military records and service connection.

VA is executing a nationwide campaign to ensure that as many Veterans as possible enroll. To date, VA’s PACT Act outreach campaign has included more than 2,500 events nationwide, $13 million in paid advertising, 88,000 earned media clips, more than 400 million emails and letters to Veterans, VA’s first-ever text messaging campaign, the creation of a one-stop-shop PACT Act website, and more. This is the largest outreach campaign in VA history, which has one goal in mind: ensure that all Veterans —and their survivors — get the health care and benefits they deserve under the PACT Act.

For more information about how the PACT Act is helping Veterans and their survivors, visit VA’s PACT Act Dashboard. To apply for care or benefits today, visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411. More information on eligibility can be found at VA.gov/PACT.

Read the article here.

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Embrace serving Veterans as a physician assistant (PA) at VA

As a physician assistant (PA) at VA, you’ll find purpose in serving Veterans. You’ll come to work each day knowing that you’re helping those who have served the nation on their path to whole health.

As one of only three disciplines in VA that can diagnose, treat and prescribe, PAs provide high-quality, Veteran-centric care across all areas, including primary care, surgery, mental health or other specialties. With your training, you can find a path to leadership roles at the local, regional and national levels, as well.

VA also has education support opportunities available for those who have been accepted into PA school. The Educational Assistance for Certain Former Members of the Armed Forces (EACFMAF) scholarship is a perfect path to a career at VA, because encouraging Veterans to serve those who have also served is an important part of what we do at VA.

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Vets4Warriors: Adapting for transitioning service members in 2024

At Vets4Warriors, we’re focusing on the individual experiences and needs of transitioning service members and their families. We know everyone needs different kinds of support, so we’re always adapting to ensure no Veteran or their family must do it alone. Families transition, too, and we want to be there for them along with those serving in uniform.

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AGENT ORANGE UPDATE, PLEASE READ!

VA will implement a new presumption of exposure to locations where herbicides were tested, used, or stored outside of Vietnam. Specifically, this proposed rule would add locations in the United States (full list of US locations where Agent Orange was tested or stored), Canada, and India to the existing presumptives for Agent Orange in Vietnam, Cambodia, Johnson Atoll, Guam, American Samoa, Korea, Laos, and Thailand.

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2024 VA health care copay rates

Review 2024 copay rates for VA and VA-approved health care.

Effective January 1, 2024

Note: Some Veterans don’t have to pay copays (they’re “exempt”) due to their disability rating, income level, or special eligibility factors.

Learn how we determine whether you’ll pay copays

New policy on copay exemptions for American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans

Beginning April 4, 2023, eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans no longer have to pay a copay for certain VA health care services. And we’ll review copays for services received on or after January 5, 2022.

Find out if you’re eligible for a copay exemption for American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans

Urgent care copay rates

(Care for minor illnesses and injuries)

There’s no limit to how many times you can use urgent care. To be eligible for urgent care benefits, including through our network of approved community providers, both of these must be true:

  • You must be enrolled in the VA health care system, and
  • You must have received care from us within the past 24 months (2 years)

If you’re only getting a flu shot at your visit, you won’t have to pay any copays, no matter your priority group.

Learn more about urgent care benefits

2024 urgent care copay rates Priority group Copay amount for first 3 visits in each calendar year Copay amount for each additional visit in the same year1 to 5 $0 (no copay) $30 6 If related to a condition that’s covered by a special authority: $0 (no copay)

If not related to a condition covered by a special authority: $30 each visit$307 to 8 $30 $30

Note: Special authorities include conditions related to combat service and exposures (like Agent Orange, active duty at Camp Lejeune, ionizing radiation, Project Shipboard Hazard and Defense (SHAD/Project 112), Southwest Asia Conditions) as well as military sexual trauma, and presumptions applicable to certain Veterans with psychosis and other mental illness.

Outpatient care copay rates

(Primary or specialty care that doesn’t require an overnight stay)

If you have a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher

You won’t need to pay a copay for outpatient care.

If you don’t have a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher

You may need to pay a copay for outpatient care for conditions not related to your military service, at the rates listed below.

2024 outpatient care copay rates Type of outpatient care Copay amount for each visit or test Primary care services
(like a visit to your primary care doctor)$15 Specialty care services
(like a visit to a hearing specialist, eye doctor, surgeon, or cardiologist)$50 Specialty tests
(like an MRI or CT scan)$50

Note: You won’t need to pay any copays for X-rays, lab tests, or preventive tests and services like health screenings or immunizations.

Inpatient care copay rates

(Care that requires you to stay one or more days in a hospital)

If you have a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher

You won’t need to pay a copay for inpatient care.

If you’re in priority group 7 or 8

You’ll pay either our full copay rate or reduced copay rate. If you live in a high-cost area, you may qualify for a reduced inpatient copay rate no matter what priority group you’re in. To find out if you qualify for a reduced inpatient copay rate, call us toll-free at 877-222-8387 (TTY: 711). We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.

2024 reduced inpatient care copay rates for priority group 7Length of stay Copay amount First 90 days of care during a 365-day period $326.40 copay + $2 charge per day Each additional 90 days of care during a 365-day period $163.20 copay + $2 charge per day

Note: You may be in priority group 7 and qualify for these rates if you don’t meet eligibility requirements for priority groups 1 through 6, but you have a gross household income below our income limits for where you live and you agree to pay copays.

Review the current VA national income limits

2024 full inpatient care copay rates for priority group 8Length of stay Copay amount First 90 days of care during a 365-day period $1,632 copay + $10 charge per day Each additional 90 days of care during a 365-day period$816 copay + $10 charge per day

Note: You may be in priority group 8 and qualify for these rates if you don’t meet eligibility requirements for priority groups 1 through 6, and you have a gross household income above our income limits for where you live, agree to pay copays, and meet other specific enrollment and service-connected eligibility criteria.

Learn more about priority groups

Medication copay rates

If you’re in priority group 1

You won’t pay a copay for any medications.

Note: You may be in priority group 1 if we’ve rated your service-connected disability at 50% or more disabling, if we’ve determined that you can’t work because of your service-connected disability (called unemployable), or if you’ve received the Medal of Honor.

Learn more about priority groups

If you’re in priority groups 2 through 8

You may pay a copay for these types of medications:

  • Medications your health care provider prescribes to treat non-service-connected conditions, and
  • Over-the-counter medications (like aspirin, cough syrup, or vitamins) that you get from a VA pharmacy. You may want to consider buying your over-the-counter medications on your own.

Note: The costs for any medications you receive while staying in a VA or other approved hospital or health facility are covered by your inpatient care copay.

The amount you’ll pay for these medications will depend on the “tier” of the medication and the amount of medication you’re getting, which we determine by days of supply. Once you’ve been charged $700 in medication copays within a calendar year (January 1 to December 31), you won’t have to pay any more that year—even if you still get more medications. This is called a copay cap.

2024 outpatient medication copay amounts Outpatient medication tier1-30 day supply31-60 day supply61-90 day supply Tier 0
(prescription and over-the-counter medicines with no copay)$0 $0 $0 Tier 1
(preferred generic prescription medicines)
Review our list of tier 1 medications$5$10$15Tier 2
(non-preferred generic prescription medicines and some over-the-counter medicines)$8$16$24Tier 3
(brand-name prescription medicines)$11$22$33

If you have a service-connected rating of 40% or less and your income falls at or below the national income limits for receiving free medications, you may want to provide your income information to us to determine if you qualify for free medications.

Review the current VA national income limits

Find out how we determine your health care costs

Find a full list of medications in each tier on our pharmacy benefits website

Geriatric and extended care copay rates

You won’t need to pay a copay for geriatric care (also called elder care) or extended care (also called long-term care) for the first 21 days of care in a 12-month period. Starting on the 22nd day of care, we’ll base your copays on these 2 factors:

  • The level of care you’re receiving, and
  • The financial information you provide on your Application for Extended Care Services (VA Form 10-10EC).

Get VA Form 10-10EC to download

2024 geriatric and extended care copay amounts by level of care Level of care Types of care included Copay amount for each day of care Inpatient care

  • Short-term or long-term stays in a community living center (formerly called nursing homes)
  • Overnight respite care (in-home or onsite care designed to give family caregivers a break, available up to 30 days each calendar year)
  • Overnight geriatric evaluations (evaluations by a team of health care providers to help you and your family decide on a care plan)

Up to $97 Outpatient care

  • Adult day health care (care in your home or at a facility that provides daytime social activities, companionship, recreation, care, and support)
  • Daily respite care (in-home or onsite care designed to give family caregivers a break, available up to 30 days each calendar year)
  • Geriatric evaluations that don’t require an overnight stay (evaluations by a team of health care providers to help you and your family decide on a care plan)

Up to $15 Domiciliary care for homeless Veterans

  • Short-term rehabilitation
  • Long-term maintenance care

Up to $5

Learn more about long-term care options

Services that don’t require a copay

You won’t need to pay a copay for any of the services listed here, no matter what your disability rating is or what priority group you’re in.

Past rates

Review health care copay rates for past years.

Other information you may need

Find out how to pay your copay bill—and what to do if you disagree with the charges or are having trouble making payments.

Learn how we assess and verify your income to help determine if you’re eligible for VA health care and whether you’ll need to pay copays for certain types of care, tests, and medications.

We cover maternity care for eligible Veterans through arrangements with community providers. Download this fact sheet to find out more about copays

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North Florida / South Georgia Veterans Health System - Stakeholders Meeting

Friday, 23 February 2024 from 11:30 am

Please join Ms. Wende Dottor, Executive Health System Director, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System in a meeting to discuss recent events, innovation, and new programs here at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center and throughout the NF/SG Catchment Area.

The meeting will be held in-person at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center located at 1601 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608 on Friday February 23, 2024, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Upon your arrival, you will be escorted to the meeting location in the Basement Auditorium.

If you have specific programs or questions you would like addressed, please let us know in advance so we can have the right resources available.

Refreshments and light snacks will be provided.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP by emailing VHANFLPUBLICAFFAIRS@VA.GOV. *Although we prefer/intend on hosting this meeting in-person, please express your interest for a virtual link when you RSVP so that we may consider this option.

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Information On Travel Claims

Travel claims is certainly a process that can be cumbersome however, big VA has made a push to make the Beneficiary Travel Self Service System (BTSSS) the fastest and most streamlined means for our Veterans to file their travel claims. This online system simplifies the previous claim submission process for beneficiaries and ensures timely processing and payment of travel reimbursements. The NF/SF VHS BTSSS can be accessed via the following link - Beneficiary Travel Self Service System (BTSSS) | VA North Florida/South Georgia Health Care | Veterans Affairs. *If a Veteran has never used this system, they will need to go through a few steps first in regard to their account which is explained via the above link as well. I’ve also included a tri-fold brochure with information about BTSSS if you are interested.

In the past, our facilities did have kiosk stations where Veterans were able to submit travel claims in addition to making other minor updates pertaining to their information. Unfortunately, in 2022 those kiosks were removed across the VA in favor of transitioning to BTSSS.

We certainly understand that not all of our Veterans are comfortable with filling their claims through an online system, in this case BTSSS. With this in mind, our only other option for these Veterans is to have them file a paper claim (VA Form 10-3542) to request travel reimbursement. This option is drawn out much more, tends to take more time, and is ultimately manually input by a technician into BTSSS. If information on the form is missing or inaccurate, this process is drawn out even more while the technician tracks down the appropriate information.

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VA NSC Pension Chart

VA NSC Pension Chart

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EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE COVERAGE

What to know if you get care outside of VA: If you’re experiencing a medical emergency, you shouldn’t hesitate to get emergency care. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room quickly. A medical emergency is an injury, illness, or symptom so severe that without immediate treatment, you believe your life or health is in danger.

Some Veterans live far away from a VA emergency room and need to get care quickly. If you go to a non-VA emergency department for care, VA may still offer coverage.

Notifying VA is necessary for getting coverage and sharing important medical updates. We have the information you need to make it happen.

CLICK HERE: https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/web/myhealthevet/ss20221207-emergency-medical-care-coverage

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Veterans are the targets of many types of fraud including mail, telephone, and online fraud. The VA takes fraud allegations and the security of Veterans' information seriously. We need to do our part to protect our veterans and our community by providing them with helpful resources.

In the recent video by the VA Secretary, he shared information on the VSAFE initiative. It's full of useful information to share with our veterans and hopefully protect them from being taken advantage of by scammers.

CLICK HERE: https://www.va.gov/initiatives/protecting-veterans-from-fraud/

While we continue to raise awareness about "claim sharks" scamming veterans as unaccredited representatives, the VA Secretary spoke out in a YouTube video.

CLICK HERE: https://youtu.be/SyQhYZgvUzA?si=KVQy-nxkuJahB69T

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VA announced that family members of Veterans exposed to contaminated drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune from Aug. 1, 1953 to Dec. 31, 1987 are now eligible for reimbursement of health care costs associated with Parkinson’s disease under the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program.

These family members are also eligible for health care reimbursement for esophageal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, multiple myeloma, renal toxicity, miscarriage, hepatic steatosis, female infertility, myelodysplastic syndromes, scleroderma, neurobehavioral effects, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“Veterans and their families deserve no-cost health care for the conditions they developed due to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune,” said VA’s Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal, M.D. “We’re proud to add Parkinson’s to the list of conditions that are covered for Veteran family members, and we implore anyone who may be living with this disease — or any of the other conditions covered by VA’s Camp Lejeune Family Member Program – to apply for assistance today.”

Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune are also eligible for no-cost Parkinson’s health care and other VA benefits. Recent studies have also shown that the risk of Parkinson’s disease is 70% higher for Veterans stationed at Camp Lejeune.

Thanks to the PACT Act, the biggest expansion of Veteran health care and benefits in generations, Veterans and their families can also now file lawsuits for harm caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. To apply for health care reimbursement under the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program, visit the program website. To apply for Veteran benefits related to Camp Lejeune, visit VA.gov/CampLejeune.

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On the 10th of November, the Department of Veterans Affairs launched a groundbreaking national advertising campaign to encourage Veterans to sign up for the VA health care and benefits they’ve earned.

The $5+ million campaign, “What You Earned,” focuses on educating Veterans and their families about some of the most tangible, cost-saving benefits of using VA – including low-cost or no-cost health care, debt-free education, $0 down payments on home loans, no-cost memorial services and burials, and much more. The campaign uses actual cost comparisons to demonstrate Veterans’ savings with VA vs. without VA, with the goal of encouraging Veterans who are not enrolled in VA health care or receiving VA benefits to apply for the first time.

This first-of-its-kind campaign – which will run across television, print, radio, digital media, billboards, public transit, and social media – is the next phase of VA’s aggressive efforts to bring new Veterans to VA. While last year’s campaign resulted in record numbers of Veterans applying for VA benefits, many of our nation’s heroes are still not connected with VA. The new campaign aims to reach these Veterans by providing clear, compelling reasons for them to sign up for what they’ve earned.

This new advertising campaign is a part of the largest outreach effort in VA history, which VA launched after President Biden signed the PACT Act into law as a part of his Unity Agenda for the nation. Thus far, the effort has resulted in an all-time record number of Veteran benefits applications in 2023; a 25% increase in health care enrollments year-over-year; an 80% awareness among Veterans of the PACT Act; and more. Key aspects of the effort to date include:

  • Media coverage: During fiscal year 2023, VA generated 395,000+ news articles and 137,000+ broadcast pieces – a 21% increase year-over-year – with the goal of informing Veterans about the care and benefits they’ve earned.
  • Events: VA has hosted more than 2,500 PACT Act-related events for Veterans across all 50 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
  • Advertising: VA has executed a MarCom award-winning PACT Act advertising campaign across streaming, print, radio, podcasts, signage, sports sponsorships, digital advertising, and more. The $10+ million campaign has led millions of visitors to VA.gov/PACT and generated $13 million in donated media through public service announcements.
  • Direct Veteran outreach: VA has sent hundreds of millions of PACT Act-related emails and letters to Veterans to encourage them to apply. In September, VA also executed its first-ever text marketing campaign to encourage eligible Veterans to enroll in health care before the September 30 PACT Act deadline, resulting in a 179% increase in year-to-date health care enrollments for that specific cohort of Veterans.
  • Collaborations: VA has worked with the White House, Congress, Veterans Service Organizations, influencers (Jon Stewart), sports teams (Tampa Bay Rays), and major corporations (CVS and USAA) to spread the word about the PACT Act.
  • VA.gov/PACT: Within one hour of the Senate passage of the PACT Act, VA launched VA.gov/PACT – a one-stop-shop for Veterans and survivors to learn about and apply for PACT Act-related care and benefits. Since then, the website has garnered more than 22 million page views.
  • Print, digital, and video resources: VA has developed a library of videos, flyers, and information – in more than 10 languages – to help Veterans understand what this new law means for them.

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The Department of Veterans Affairs announced that all World War II Veterans are now eligible for no-cost VA health care, medical services, and nursing home care.

All WWII Veterans who served between Dec. 7, 1941, and Dec. 31, 1946, are eligible under this expansion, regardless of their length of service or financial status. These Veterans will not have to pay copays, enrollment fees or monthly premiums.

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.

“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. “We are proud to provide world-class, no-cost health care to these heroes at VA, and we encourage all of them to enroll today.”

All WWII Veterans are encouraged to enroll in VA health care – the best, most-affordable health care in America for Veterans. Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care are proven to have better health outcomes than non-enrolled Veterans, and VA hospitals have dramatically outperformed non-VA hospitals in overall quality ratings and patient satisfaction ratings. 

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. VA cannot automatically enroll these Veterans in health care; 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 (Cleland-Dole Act), signed in December 2022. To apply for VA health care, visit VA’s health care enrollment website, call 1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411), or visit your nearest VA medical center or clinic.

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St. Petersburg VA Regional Office October 2023 End of Month Report

Please see the PDF below to view the St. Petersburg VA's end of month report for the month of October.

october-2023-eom.pdf (462.5 KB)

 

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VA expands maternity care coordination for Veterans

Starting Oct. 1, Veterans will have access to maternity care coordinators from the beginning of their pregnancy to 12 months post-partum — an expansion from the previous end-date of 8 weeks post-partum. These coordinators help Veterans navigate health care inside and outside of VA, connect Veterans with care after delivery, ensure access to follow-up screenings, and more. This means that all new mothers will have the support and resources they need from VA, regardless of where they give birth.

This expansion is a key step toward improving maternal outcomes for Veterans and part of the work that VA is doing to implement the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. In addition to these maternity care coordinators, VA provides Veterans with the full range of maternity care services throughout pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum – including primary care, exams, tests, ultrasounds, newborn care, lactation support, and more.

Women Veterans are the fastest-growing cohort of Veterans who use VA, and VA currently provides health care to approximately 600,000 women Veterans — half of whom are of child-bearing age. Pregnancies in women Veterans using VA care have increased by more than 80% since 2014, from 6,950 pregnancies in 2014 to 12,524 in 2022.

“This expansion of care coordination is a critical step toward improving outcomes for Veteran mothers and their newborn children,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. “Now, Veteran mothers will know that they have one-on-one support throughout every step of their pregnancy — from the day it begins to one year postpartum.”

“Evidence shows that new mothers often need support and care coordination long after 8 weeks post-partum, which is why VA is taking action to support Veteran mothers for much longer after they give birth,” said Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal, MD. “We will also screen pregnant and postpartum Veterans for social determinants of health, mental health risk factors, relationship health and safety, and more.”

“Extended follow-up care for postpartum Veterans is a great step forward, given that a significant proportion of poor maternal outcomes happen later in the postpartum period,” said Acting Chief Officer for VA Office of Women’s Health Sally Haskell, MD. “Extending postpartum care coordination up to one year allows VA maternity care coordinators the ability to double the amount of contact with their patients to help improve the physical and mental health of both parent and child.”

VA maternity care coordinators also screen for social, physical, and mental health concerns; answer questions about billing; provide resources for childbirth education; and offer lactation consulting during pregnancy and after delivery.

VA understands the importance of having a solid support system during and after pregnancy, so along with extended maternity care, the department offers essential wraparound services. In addition to primary care, this incudes access to mental health care, housing assistance, and resources to address food insecurity. Learn more about VA maternity care coordination.

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Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Legislative Package to Support Florida’s Military Members and Their Families

Governor Ron DeSantis signed eight bills to support Florida’s military members and their families. Florida is the most military-friendly state in the nation and is home to nearly 1.5 million veterans, the third largest veteran population in the country. Bills signed by the Governor will support veteran education and training opportunities, expand veteran benefits, and strengthen long-term care for Florida’s veterans and their families.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

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VA Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (CFBNP) Information Sharing

VA expands burial benefits for Veterans and their families

Today, VA announced that Veterans, and their families, caregivers, and survivors now have access to expanded burial benefits to help with end-of-life expenses related to a Veteran’s gravesite, burial, funeral and transportation of remains to their final resting place. Burial benefits are available to individuals who pay for a Veteran’s burial and funeral costs that are not reimbursed by any other organization. The updated burial benefits are:

  • Expanded reimbursement of transportation expenses, to include costs for transporting remains, to state or Tribal Veterans’ cemeteries in addition to previously eligible national cemeteries.
  • Instituted a more generous single payment rate for non-service-connected burial benefits.
  • Extended the VA plot or interment allowance to Tribal organizations.

“Last fiscal year, VA delivered more than 84,000 burial benefits to families of Veterans,” said VA Under Secretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs. “Expanding burial benefits means we are able to ensure Veterans are honored in their final resting place, and assist their family, caregivers, and survivors during the difficult time of their loved one’s passing.”

VA provides burial benefits for all legal burial types, including cremation, burial at sea, and donation of remains to a medical school. Eligible individuals include a surviving spouse or legal partner, surviving child, parent or executor of the Veteran’s estate. Additionally, VA may pay burial benefits to a funeral home or third party who handled burial arrangements for a Veteran whose remains are unclaimed.

Veterans are encouraged to plan with end-of-life benefits provided by VA. These benefits include VA life insurance, care preferences, survivor benefits, and burial benefits that can be applied for in advance of a Veteran’s passing. Visit www.va.gov/plan-ahead to learn more.

There is no time limit to file for a service-connected burial, plot or interment allowance, or the transportation benefit. However, claims for non-service-connected burial benefits must be filed within two years of the Veteran’s burial or cremation. A non-service-connected burial benefit is one where the cause of death was not related to military service.

Learn more about burial benefits and additional information regarding flags, headstones, and markers.

Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov

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What Does The COMPACT Act Mean For Veterans?

What it is:

  • Any Veteran – whether enrolled in VA or not – can go to a VA or non-VA emergency room for emergent suicidal care.
  • We strongly recommend Veterans in suicidal crisis call 911 or visit their nearest emergency room for expedited care. Veterans may go to a Wilmington VA community outpatient clinic however, our clinics are only open Monday – Friday during normal business hours.
  • VA will provide the treatment or cover the costs for treatment including transportation, inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days, and outpatient care for up to 90 days

Who is eligible for COMPACT Act related services?

Regardless of VA enrollment status, COMPACT-eligible individuals are:

  • Former members of the armed forces who were discharged or released from active duty after more than 24 months of active service under conditions other than dishonorable.
  • Former members of the armed forces, including reserve service members, who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation either directly or by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
  • Former members of the armed forces who were the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment while serving in the armed forces.

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Access My HealtheVet Through New Sign-In Page

Over the past few months, VA has been building a new home for VA health tools to include My HealtheVet. The new My HealtheVet portal on VA.gov will provide a single place for you to manage your healthcare needs in the same location where you manage other VA benefits and services.

This transition began in Spring 2023 and will take approximately 2 years to complete. Veterans will continue to be able to access My HealtheVet directly at https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/home.

If you have not already, we encourage you to sign up for a My HealtheVet Premium account.

My HealtheVet is VA’s private and secure online patient portal for Veterans, active duty service members, and their dependents and caregivers. Its online resources and tools offer you greater control over your health and wellness.

A My HealtheVet Premium account includes mobile access to your personal health information, the ability to send secure messages to your VA care team and other VA staff, and additional resources that empower you to take ownership of your health care and wellness.

There are two types of MyHealtheVet accounts: Basic and Premium. If you are already signed up for MyHealtheVet, check the icon that appears next to your name on the MyHealtheVet website. If you have a if you have a “P” icon next to your name , you already have a Premium account. If you have a “B” icon, you can sign up for a Premium account by following the steps below:

  1. From the My HealtheVet login page, log in to your Advanced account using a sign-in partner (DS Logon Premium or ID.me).
  2. Select Upgrade Now.
  3. Check the box verifying that you are the owner of the My HealtheVet account and select Continue.
  4. Check the box accepting the My HealtheVet Terms and Conditions and select Continue.

If you do not have a MyhealtheVet account, register here .

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Travel Payments Are Direct Deposit Only

Beginning September 1, travel payments will be provided via direct deposit only through the the VA's Beneficiary Travel Program, a 24/7 online portal. Checks will no longer be submitted.

Veterans, caregivers, and beneficiaries who are eligible for reimbursement of mileage and other travel expenses to and from approved health care appointments can now enter claims in the Beneficiary Travel Self-Service System (BTSSS) . This online system simplifies the current claim submission process for beneficiaries and ensures timely processing and payment of travel reimbursements.

  • Submit claims online 24/7, 365 days a year
  • Track the status of submitted claims
  • Reduce processing time for submitted claims
  • Use self-help tools to make claim submissions fast and easy

To prepare for filing your first claim with BTSSS, do these three things to help your claims processing go smoothly.

For more tips and instructions on how to use BTSSS, watch our six-video playlist.

For more information or to contact your the local travel beneficiary office, click your healthcare system link below. Or you can call the VA's Beneficiary Travel toll-free call center at 855-574-7292. Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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Beware Unaccredited Individuals

Beware unaccredited individuals who prepare, present, or prosecute VA benefit claims, or hold themselves out as being authorized to do so, are in violation of Federal law.

 

I was prompted to send this alert out as we have individuals in our District preying off our veterans and our older veterans living in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. The “red flag” should go up immediately when the person says they are a consultant for a certain nursing home or are medical consultants for filing a claim. In many of the widow pension cases we are finding individuals who are not knowledgeable on how to file a claim or are filing incomplete claims. It is for these reasons, we need to get the word out that our veteran community needs to file their claims through an accredited representative (service organization), claims agent or an attorney that is recognized by the VA. These individuals are certified by the VA, have had training, and generally know what they are doing.

 

The VA Office of General Counsel maintains a list of VA-recognized organizations and VA-accredited individuals that are authorized to assist in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of VA benefit claims at https://www.va.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp.

Additionally, the state of Florida is home to more than 90,000 active and reserve members of the Armed Forces and more than 1.5 million veterans. The Attorney General thanks all service members and their families for the sacrifices they have made to protect our freedoms and keep our nation safe.

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division works every day to protect Florida consumers from businesses and individuals that engage in unfair methods of competition or deceptive and unfair practices. Unfortunately, we often see these methods used to specifically target members of our active duty and veteran communities.

The Military and Veterans Assistance Program ("MVAP") was created to help educate military members and veterans on the types of scams that target their communities, what they can do to protect themselves, and how they can help protect others by reporting scams and deceptive business practices. In addition, members of the MVAP team work directly with military servicemembers and veterans who have been targeted, or their representatives, to help resolve their consumer protection related issues or find other outside assistance if necessary.

The Attorney General’s Office continues to work tirelessly to ensure that our active duty, reserve members, and veterans of the Armed Forces are protected from unscrupulous businesses and individuals, but we cannot do it alone. WE NEED YOUR HELP.

If you are aware of a scam targeting our service members or veterans, or you have been affected by a scam or deceptive business practice, please file a complaint here or by calling 1 (866) 9NO-SCAM (1-866-966-7226).

The link for filing a complaint can also be found at: https://legacy.myfloridalegal.com/Contact.nsf/MVAP3?OpenForm

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PACT Act Submission Issues

Due to extremely high volume of submissions, some Veterans and survivors are receiving error messages when submitting their “intent to file” PACT Act claims. This impacted about 18% of individuals who submitted an intent to file on August 8, 2023.

First and foremost, no Veteran or survivor will miss out on a single day of benefits due to this issue.

Every Veteran or survivor who received an error message while applying for PACT Act benefits can consider their intent to file complete. We are working to contact these individuals to confirm directly to them that their intent to file will be honored and their effective date protected.

While we take steps to resolve this issue, we are putting an emergency banner (attached) on the VA website to reassure Veterans and survivors that their intents to file will be honored. We are also changing the intent to file error message (attached) to confirm that, despite the error message, the intent to file has been saved.

While we work to resolve these technical difficulties, we continue to encourage Veterans and survivors to file their PACT Act claims — or submit their intent to file — now at VA.gov/PACT. Veterans who do so on or before August 9, 2023 may be eligible to receive benefits backdated to August 10, 2022. Please know that VA.gov/PACT is not down, and we continue to collect intent to file submissions despite the outgoing error messages.

Additionally, we have experienced extremely high call volume on 1-800-MyVA411. Wait times for these calls, which are normally 10-30 seconds, have reached 10-15 minutes at times throughout the day. We are taking immediate steps to minimize these wait times for Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors.

We at VA are working to resolve this problem immediately, and we will make sure that no Veteran or survivor misses out on their earned benefits because of these technical difficulties.

The PACT Act is a new law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

The PACT Act adds to the list of health conditions that we assume (or “presume”) are caused by exposure to these substances. This law helps us provide generations of Veterans—and their survivors—with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

You can also call us at 800-698-2411(TTY: 711). And you can file a claim for PACT Act-related disability compensation or apply for VA health care now.

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VHA-Uber Health Connect Information

Learn more about new transportation options for veterans in Florida here.

This is an expansion of Beneficiary Travel. For a Veteran to use this mode, they have to be eligible for Beneficiary Travel and would arrange the same way they would arrange any other type of VA paid travel. The most important thing is the Veteran must meet the criteria for Bene Travel. If he/she is not eligible for Bene Travel, then Uber Health is not an available option.

VA offers two types of travel benefits under the Beneficiary Travel Program: general health care travel and special mode transportation. As a Veteran, you may be eligible for one or both. If you meet the criteria below, you may be eligible if you:

  • Have a service-connected rating of 30% or more.
  • Are traveling for treatment of a service-connected condition.
  • Receive a VA pension, or your income does not exceed the maximum annual VA pension.
  • Are traveling for a scheduled compensation or pension exam.
  • Have vision impairment, spinal cord injury or disorder, double or multiple amputation, enrollment in VA Rehab Programs.

Learn more about travel benefits offered by the VA here.

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HOPE Florida -- Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs

Learn more about HOPE Florida and the programs offered through FDVA here.

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Veterans' Honor Guard Seeks Volunteers

Learn more and sign up here.

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August 2023 Wait Times For NF/SGVHS

Please see here for the latest information on VA appointment wait times.

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Civilian Health & Medical Program of the Department of Veteran Affairs (CHAMPVA)

Learn more about CHAMPVA eligibility, instructions for applicants, and use of other health insurance. Click here to access the fact sheet.

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VA Center for Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships Announces New NTIA Funding for High-Speed Internet Grant Program

The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) recently announced how it has allocated funding to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories to deploy affordable, reliable high-speed internet service to everyone in America as part of the new "Internet for All" initiative. The funding will help rural veterans across the country access health care, education, and economic opportunities.

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New Toxic Exposure Screenings for Women Veterans

Toxic Exposure Screening

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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My HealtheVet on VA.gov

The new My HealtheVet portal on VA.gov will provide a single place for you to manage your health care needs in the same location where you manage your other VA benefits and services.

The VA is building a new health home that’s easy to find, understand, and use—with your feedback guiding us at every step. The new My HealtheVet on VA.gov will combine tools and health data from My HealtheVet and My VA Health (Oracle Cerner) into one unified patient portal.

You can learn more about the new My HealtheVet portal here.

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USDA Seeks Applications for Technical Assistance Grants to Expand Access to Safe, Affordable and Equitable Housing for People in Rural America

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today announced that the Department is accepting applications for technical assistance grants to preserve rental housing and expand access to safe, affordable and equitable housing for people in rural America.

You can learn more about USDA grants here.

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Commissioner Wilton Simpson Opens New Facility to Provide Outdoor Experiences for Florida's Wounded Veterans

Today, Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson opened a new Operation Outdoor Freedom facility solely dedicated to offering wounded veterans recreational opportunities free of charge.

“Operation Outdoor Freedom is a unique way of connecting our wounded veterans with one another and with all the natural resources and outdoor experiences that Florida has to offer,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “Creating these recreational and rehabilitative experiences for Florida’s wounded veterans, free of charge, is the least we can do for those who have done so much for our state and nation.”

You can learn more about the new outdoor facility here.

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Post-9/11 Combat Veterans, Don’t Miss this Special Health Care Enrollment Period

The PACT Act expands health care eligibility for many Veterans. One group that may be eligible for expanded benefits are post-9/11 Veterans. A one-year special health care enrollment period for post-9/11 combat Veterans began on October 1, 2022. Help spread the word before the special enrollment period ends.

The one-year special health care enrollment period for post-9/11 combat Veterans began October 1, 2022.

You can learn more about the special health care enrollment period here.

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USDA Makes Grants Available to Help People in Rural Florida Repair Their Homes Damaged By Fires, Tropical Storms and Hurricanes in 2022

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands State Director Lakeisha Hood today announced the availability of grants to help people repair their homes that were damaged by the Adkins Avenue and Chipola Complex Fires, as well as Tropical Storms Nicole and Ian and Hurricanes Nicole and Ian in 2022.

The homes must be located in presidentially declared disaster areas. Residents in all 67 Florida counties may be eligible for the funding.

You can learn more about grant availability and eligibility here.

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2022 Report to the Community

The VA Sunshine Health Network is excited to announce the release of their 2022 Report to the Community. This 24-page report includes information pertaining to the Veterans Integrated Service Network's (VISN) commitment to delivering high-quality, timely, safe, and compassionate care to America’s Veterans.

You can read the 2022 Report to the Community here.

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VBA Annual Benefits Report Fiscal Year 2022

The Annual Benefits Report (ABR) summarizes the benefit programs delivered by VBA, identifies the current level of program participation, and profiles the beneficiaries.

The report is intended to accomplish the following:

  • present a clear and data-driven picture of how Veterans and their dependents use these benefits, and
  • provide insights into the nature of the benefit programs.

You can view the VBA Annual Benefits Report for Fiscal Year 2022 here.

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2023 VA Health Care Copay Rates

Review 2023 copay rates for VA and VA-approved health care here.

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COMPACT Act, Section 201 Emergent Suicide Care and Treatment Staff FAQs

Section 201 of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care and Treatment (COMPACT) Act of 2020 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) to directly furnish, pay for, or reimburse for emergent suicide care (to include associated transportation costs) at VA and non-VA facilities for eligible individuals in acute suicide crisis.

Learn more here.

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Be Vigilant of VA Caregiver Support Stipend Scams

There is a potential scam about a VA Caregiver Stipend Recoupment. Please do not respond to such requests, as VA will not email you a request for money.

If you receive a suspicious email from the Department of Veterans Affairs, DO NOT open the email or click on any attachments or links. VA does not send emails asking for personal information, threatening emails, or emails claiming to take adverse actions on claimants or beneficiaries (jail or lawsuits). If you receive any of these emails or are in doubt about any communications appearing to be from VA, please contact VA directly at 1 (800) 827-1000.

Protect yourself against potential scams with these tips:

  • Do not provide personal, benefits, medical or financial details online or over the phone. Federal agencies will not contact you unless you make a request.
  • Do not click on online ads or engage with social media that seem suspicious.
  • Check for https:// at the start of website addresses.
  • Enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts.
  • Work with Veteran service providers you already know.

Visit the Cybercrime Support Network for additional resources to help Veterans, service members, and their families combat cybercrime.

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VA Expands Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers to Veterans of All Service Eras

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is expanding the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) to include eligible Veterans and their family caregivers of all eras.

VA’s PCAFC provides resources, education, support, a financial stipend, health insurance (if eligible), and additional benefits to Family Caregivers of eligible Veterans.

You can learn more about the PCAFC expansion and the VA’s Caregiver Support Program here.

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Fleet Readiness Center Southeast Apprenticeship Program

The FRCSE is now accepting applications for their apprenticeship program, which offers an opportunity for men and women with a high school diploma and no experience to earn while they learn.

FRCSE apprentices will combine tuition-free college-level classes in academics and trade theory with hands-on training to prepare them for a rewarding career in one of many skilled trades. They work side by side with experienced FRCSE employees who teach and mentor them along the way.

You can learn more about the program and eligibility requirements here.

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Improved Processing Needed for Veterans’ Claims of Contaminated Water Exposure at Camp Lejeune

From August 1953 through December 1987, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry estimated one million individuals could have been exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, a US military training facility. In March 2017, VA established a presumption of military service connection for eight illnesses related to veterans’ exposure to that contaminated water.The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted this review to determine whether Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) staff followed regulations when processing and deciding claimed conditions potentially associated with contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

Read the full report here.

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The Veterans Crisis Line Has A New Number

The Veterans Crisis Line has a new number: Dial 988 then Press 1. Reach out to your networks so Veterans and their loved ones save the new number in their phones. Make sure they know 24/7 support is available if they need it.

 

The new, shorter number directly addresses the need for ease of access and clarity in times of crisis, both for Veterans and non-Veterans alike.

 

This change is the result of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020, which designated 988 as the universal telephone number within the U.S. for purposes of the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system, operating through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and VCL.

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Presumptive Service Connection for Rare Respiratory Cancers Due to Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing this interim final rule to amend its adjudication regulations to establish presumptive service connection for nine rare respiratory cancers in association with presumed exposure to fine particulate matter. These presumptions would apply to Veterans with a qualifying period of service, i.e., who served on active military, naval, or air service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War (hereinafter Gulf War), as well as in Afghanistan, Syria, Djibouti, or Uzbekistan, on or after September 19, 2001, during the Gulf War.

The intended effect of this amendment is to ease the evidentiary burden of this population of Veterans who file claims with VA for these nine rare respiratory cancers: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx, SCC of the trachea, adenocarcinoma of the trachea, salivary gland-type tumors of the trachea, adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung, large cell carcinoma of the lung, salivary gland-type tumors of the lung, sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung, and typical and atypical carcinoid of the lung.

For more information, please see the PDF below.

VAIntermRuleRespCancers.pdf (285.04 KB)

 

 

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IRS Taxpayer Experience Days

To help taxpayers during this year’s filing season, the IRS is offering special in-person Saturday hours at many Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) across the country. The Taxpayer Advocate Service is partnering with the IRS and will be available at many events.

In-person hours will take place on April 9th and May 14th from 9 AM to 4 PM. No appointment necessary. No tax return preparation will be available at any of these events.

Items that may be helpful for taxpayers to bring:

  • Current government-issued photo ID
  • Social Security cards and/or ITIN numbers for members of their household, including spouse and dependents (if applicable)
  • Any IRS letters or notices received and related documents
  • Bank account information to receive payments or refunds by direct deposit

Visit www.IRS.gov/saturdayhours for more information.

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Update On Extension Of Presumptive Period For Persian Gulf War Veterans

The Department of Veteran Affairs has extended the presumptive period to Dec. 31, 2026 for qualifying chronic disabilities rated 10% or more resulting from undiagnosed illnesses in Persian Gulf War Veterans to ensure benefits established by Congress are fairly administered.

If an extension of the current presumptive period was not implemented, service members whose conditions arise after Dec. 31, 2021 would be substantially disadvantaged compared to service members whose conditions manifested at an earlier date.

Limiting entitlement to benefits due to the expiration of the presumptive period would be premature given that current studies remain inconclusive as to the cause and time of onset of illnesses suffered by Persian Gulf War Veterans.

VA presumes certain medically unexplained illnesses are related to Persian Gulf War service without regard to cause, including, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, functional gastrointestinal disorders. Also included are undiagnosed illnesses with symptoms that may include but are not limited to abnormal weight loss, cardiovascular disease, muscle and joint pain, headache, menstrual disorders, neurological and psychological problems, skin conditions, respiratory disorders and sleep disturbances.

Persian Gulf War Veterans who are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above and other unexplained medical issues are encouraged to file a claim.

Learn more about VA and Gulf War Veterans.

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Update On Claims For Asthma, Rhinitis, Sinusitis

Please see the below announcement from the VA:

The Department of Veterans Affairs will begin processing disability claims Aug. 2 for asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis on
a presumptive basis based on presumed particulate matter exposures during military service in Southwest Asia and certain other areas — if these conditions manifested within 10 years of a qualifying period of military service.

VA conducted the first iteration of a newly formed internal VA process to review scientific evidence to support rulemaking, resulting in the recommendation to consider creation of new presumptions of service connection for respiratory conditions based on VA’s evaluation of a National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine report and other evidence.

The process concluded that particulate matter pollution is associated with chronic asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis for Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations beginning Aug. 2, 1990 to the present, or Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Syria or Djibouti beginning Sept. 19, 2001 to the present. VA’s review also concluded that there was sufficient evidence to presume that these Veterans have been exposed to particulate matter.

The Southwest Asia theater of operations refers to Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the neutral zone between Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea and the airspace above these locations.

VA will conduct outreach to impacted Veterans and survivors to inform them about their eligibility and will provide information on how to apply. Veterans and survivors who believe they may be eligible for the newly established presumptive conditions are encouraged to apply. They should file a VA Form 21-526EZ if applying for the first time or a VA Form 20-0995 if they are reapplying for these conditions. For more information on the new presumptive conditions, visit our website at Airborne Hazards and Burn Pit Exposures - Public Health (va.gov).

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My HealtheVet — North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System

The program can help you with:

  • Refilling VA medicine prescriptions

  • Viewing laboratory tests

  • Managing personal wellness reminders

  • Scheduling VA medical appointments, to include viewing past and future appointments

  • Accessing provider/clinician health care notes

  • Viewing radiology reports/images

  • Communicating directly with health care teams using a secure email known as secure messaging

To enroll today, please visit: User Registration - My HealtheVet (va.gov).

Issues:Veterans