VA: Net worth won't affect health care

The Department of Veterans Affairs will no longer use net worth as a factor to determine if a veteran is eligible for health care. Previously, veterans who were ill with conditions that were not service-related could get care at VA hospitals if their income and net worth met certain thresholds and they made co-payments.

Here's how it works now: The VA calculates the gross income of the household, and then subtracts deductible expenses for the prior year. The result of doing away with assets means that low-income veterans will have fewer out-of-pocket costs for health care, with co-pays ranging from $15 to $50, opening the door to approximately 190,000 more lower-income veterans over the next five years.

In 2014, the VA dropped the requirement that these veterans file updated financial information annually. Instead, the department now gets the income figures directly from the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security.

If you're not enrolled in VA health care and want to be, go online to the benefits explorer at hbexplorer.vacloud.us and answer the questions, which include whether you participated in Project 112/SHAD (Shipboard Hazard and Defense), periods of service, whether you're a Purple Heart or MOH recipient and many more. The last page concerns your ZIP code, dependents, income and certain deductible expenses. It will help determine what benefits you could have if you enroll.

Veterans who live in high-cost areas might be able to get reduced co-pay rates for inpatient care. Call the VA at 877-222-VETS (8387) to find out. There are some services that are exempt from co-pays, such as care and counseling for military sexual trauma, readjustment counseling, smoking and weight loss services, and publicly announced services like health fairs.

(c) 2015 King Features Synd. Inc.