VA HEALTH CARE AND THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
**Frequently Asked Questions**
WHAT IS THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT:
The Affordable Care Act, also known as the health care law, was created to expand access to affordable health care coverage to all Americans, lower costs, and improve quality and care coordination.
*****Under the health care law, people will have :
· Health coverage that meets a minimum standard (called “minimum essential coverage”) by January 1, 2014.
· Qualify for an exemption; or
· Make a payment when filing their taxes if they have affordable options but remain uninsured.
IN 2014, HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACES WILL BE A NEW WAY TO FIND HEALTH COVERAGE. ON THE MARKETPLACES, SOME PEOPLE MAY BE ELIGIBILE FOR LOWER COSTS ON HEALTH PREMIUMS AND OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS BASED ON THEIR INCOME.
AT A GLANCE:
-VA wants ALL Veterans to get health care that improves their health and well-being.
– If you are enrolled in VA Health Care, you don’t need to take additional steps meet the health care law coverage standards.
-The health care law does not change VA health benefits or Veterans’ out-of-pocket costs.
-If you are not enrolled in VA health care, you can apply any time.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT HAVE HEALTH COVERAGE?
– You do not have to make a payment if you have coverage that meets a minimum standard (called “minimum essential coverage”). If you have access to affordable coverage but remain uninsured starting in 2014, you may have to make payment when filing your taxes.
This payment will either be a flat fee or a percentage of your taxable household income, depending on which amount is higher.
This payment will be phased-in-according to the schedule below:
-$95 or 1% of your taxable income in 2014
– $325 otf2% of your taxable income in 2015
– $695 or 2.5% of your taxable income in 2016
Exemptions from the payment will be granted under certain circumstances. For more information on these exemptions, visit www.healthcare.gov
IF I’M ENROLLED IN A VA HEALTH CARE PROGRAM, DO I MEET THE REQUIREMENT FOR HEALTH COVERAGE?
Yes. If you are enrolled in any of VA’s programs below, you have coverage under the standards of the health care law:
– Veteran’s Health Care Program
-Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA)
– Spina Bifida Health Care Program
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ENROLLMENT IN VA HEALTH CARE?
Enrollment in VA Health Care Means You Have:
-Medical care rated among the best in the US
-Immediate benefits of health care coverage. Veterans may apply at any time.
-NO enrollment fee, monthly premiums or deductibles. Most Veterans have NO out-of-pocket costs. SOME Veterans may have small copayments for health care or prescription drugs.
-Coverage can go with you if your travel or move.
-Met the new requirement to have health coverage that meets the minimum standard.
HOW DO I ENROLL FOR VA HEALTH CARE COVERAGE?
– You may apply in one of three convenient ways. To enroll, visit:
www.va.gov/healthbenefits/enroll
Call 1-877-222-VETS (8387)…OR
-Visit your local VA Health Care Facility…Or…go by your local County Veterans Affairs Office.
CAN I CONTINUE TO USE VA HEALTH CARE WITH OTHER PROGRAMS, LIKE PRIVATE INSURANCE OR FEDERAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS?
YES. You can continue to use VA for all your health care needs, or complement your VA care with private health insurance or coverage by other federal health care programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare.
WHAT’S THE HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE?
BEGINNING IN 2014, the Marketplace is a new way to shop for and purchase private health insurance (….for example, health coverage other than VA health care programs…..) that fits your budget and meets your needs. People who purchase insurance through the Marketplace may be able to lower the costs of health insurance coverage by paying lower monthly premiums.
CAN THE HEALTH CARE LAW HELP MY FAMILY MEMBERS GET AFFORDABLE CARE?
Your family members who are not eligible for a VA Health Care program may use the Marketplace to get coverage. They may get lower costs on monthly 0premums or out-of-pocket costs or be eligible for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Starting October 1, 2013 they can submit an application for health care coverage through the Marketplace and learn the amount of assistance they are eligible for.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.healthcare.gov
ALSO VISIT THE VA’S WEBSITE AT www.va.gov/aca
ALSO CALL (or) CALL 1-877-222-8387 (Monday thru Friday 8a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. eastern time.
USEFUL VA CONTACT
PHONE NUMBERS
VA Medical Center – Columbia, SC 1-800-293-8262
VA Outpatient Clinic – Florence, SC 1-843-292-8383
VA Regional Office – Columbia, SC 1-800-827-1000
(Press 1, then 1, then 0)
VA Medical Center – Fayetteville, NC 1-800-771-6106
VA Outpatient Clinic, Hamlet, NC 1-910-582-3536
VA Outpatient Clinic – Myrtle Beach, SC 1-843-477-0177
VA Medical Center – Charleston, SC 1-888-878-6884
Dillon County, SC VA Office – 843-774-1427
Marion County, SC VA Office – 843-423-8255
Marlboro County, SC VA Office – 843-479-5622
Robeson County, NC Veterans Service Office – 1-910-671-3070
….Until Next Time,…..”KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY”
V O L U N T E E R V A N D R I V E R S STILL NEEDED!
CONTACT THE DILLON VA OFFICE.
