Enhanced Benefits for Certain Veterans
February 4, 2008

Expansion of Eligibility for Operations Enduring Freedom & Iraqi Freedom combat veterans.

Currently enrolled veterans and new enrollees who were discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003 are eligible for the enhanced benefits for 5 years post discharge
Veterans discharged from active duty before January 28, 2003 who apply for enrollment on or after January 28, 2008 are eligible for the enhanced benefit until January 27, 2011

Expansion of Dental Eligibility

Veterans who served on active duty 90 days or more are eligible to receive one-time VA dental benefits if they make an application to VA within 180 days post discharge from active duty and if their DD Forms 214 do not indicate necessary dental treatment had been provided with 90 days of release from active duty

Beneficiary Travel Benefits

On Feb. 1, 2008, beneficiary travel reimbursement rate is increased to 28.5 cents per mile for travel to or from a VA or VA-approved non-VA facility for the purpose of examination, treatment or care.  The deductible for travel is $7.77 one way or $15.54 for a round-trip, with a monthly cap of $46.62 after which travel payments are free of deductibles.  More information is available at: http://www.va.gov/healtheligibility/Library/pubs/BeneficiaryTravel/BeneficiaryTravel.pdf

If you have questions, please call (928) 445-4860 extension 6181 or toll free at 1 (800) 949-1005 extension 6181.  We are in the process of updating our enrollment and billing software to reflect these changes.  In the interim, we have implemented manual processes to ensure veterans are able to receive these benefits.  Veterans who are eligible for these enhanced benefits and receive bills in error should contact the revenue coordinator at (928) 445-4860 extension 7598 or toll free at 1(800) 949-1005 extension 7598.