About Veterans Family Health Insurance
Veterans and their family may qualify for healthcare services through the Veterans Family Health Insurance program. Approximately, one-fourth of the population may qualify for benefits, if you are a veteran or family member of a veteran. You can fill out an application through the Veteran's Affairs (VA) website and receive services as soon as the organization determines your eligibility. It is simple to find out if you qualify for free or low-cost care.
History
The Vet Center Program started in 1979 for Vietnam after recognizing that veterans had difficulties with readjustment after serving. The U.S. Department of Affairs expanded services in 1991 to other veterans since the Vietnam era, including those who served in Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Somalia and Kosovo/Bosnia. In 2003, services extended to veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism.
Significance
Veterans Centers offers veterans and their family members a variety of services that include medical benefits, counseling, outreach and referral services. Some services are free, while others have a co-pay fee for each service they receive. Benefits reduce the financial hardships of veterans and their families so they may cope with the readjustment and get the services that they may not afford on their own.
Types
Services include medical, dental, mental health and preventive services such as flu shots and immunizations. Criteria for each type of benefit depend on factors such as the family's income level and the veteran's status such as active duty or retired, and accomplishments such as earned medals. Bereavement counseling is free for family members, regardless of their eligibility criteria. Other programs, such as the Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Health Care Programs, serve biological children of Vietnam Veterans born with Spina Bifida or other birth defects.
Considerations
Veterans Centers often do not receive enough funding so medical plans change frequently, and beneficiaries may have reduced services or increased co-pays. The medical plans offered through the Veteran's Center come from private insurance companies, similar to Medicare Advantage plans. Because of low government funding and the low reimbursement rates, overcrowding and low-quality care from the centers is a regular concern.
Potential
Most veterans qualify for some type of medical plan, and some veterans and their family members receive free medical services. Services from some plans require a co-pay, but if the family has trouble paying for services, they can file a Waiver of Debt that excuses past due balances.
Identification
VA provides eligible veterans a Veterans Identification Card (VIC) for use at VA health care facilities. You may visit any VA center for services, and your identification card shows your eligibility status so the center knows what services you can receive and how much you must pay, if you must pay a fee at all. This is not an insurance card, so it will not pay for services outside of a VA center.
Expert Insight
In 1996, President Clinton signed a bill to help the veteran health-care system in crisis saying, "Furnish comprehensive medical services to all veterans, regardless of their income or whether they had service-related disabilities." However, VA centers still give priority status to disabled veterans, while other veterans and their families are not eligible for services.
Tags: Family Health, Family Health Insurance, family members, Health Insurance, their family
