Ron Mori
AARP recently launched a new tool to bring together valuable information and resources to help veterans, military families and their caregivers navigate their health care options. The Veterans and Military Families Health Benefits Navigator provides veterans and military families with critical information about what is required to qualify for health care benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or Department of Defense (DoD).
Not only will those who wore the uniform and their surrounding family members find this a useful tool, caregivers will find this to be a much-needed repository of information as they assume their caregiving duties and get up to speed on what’s available for their wounded warrior
More than ever, veterans and military families need help accessing the health care benefits they earned serving our country. My uncle was in his 80s when he found out that he qualified for a hearing benefit through the VA. This free, one-stop resource will help make the process less confusing and overwhelming for veterans and military families as they navigate their options.
Even before the pandemic, veterans and their families struggled with where to begin when deciding the best path for their health care needs: VA health care, Military Tricare, Medicare, private insurance or Medicaid.
Recently, more than 340,000 veterans have been diagnosed with Covid-19, and VA medical centers has reported almost 15,000 deaths from the disease. More than 9 million veterans, about 47 percent of all veterans in 2019, are 65 or older, according to the VA; nearly three-quarters are 50 and older.
How Does the Navigator Help?
Don’t let your veteran be one of those who are eligible but not receiving important health benefits. I know the vital difference it can make for our loved ones, so I urge you to check out the new AARP online tool, the Veterans & Military Families Health Benefits Navigator, to access critical information about what is required to qualify for health care benefits from the VA. The tool will help you:
- Learn more about health care benefits provided through the VA and DoD.
- Understand how to qualify for, apply and enroll in VA health care.
- Understand how these health care benefits may be combined with Medicare and Medicaid to expand options.
- Identify how to get help from representatives who have experience and knowledge of the VA’s process for awarding benefits.
AARP also provides free resources for family caregivers, who often play a critical role in helping veterans access the care they need, including the newly updated Military Veterans Caregiving Guide and the Financial Workbook for Veteran and Military Family Caregivers.
Nearly 60 percent of all veterans are eligible for VA health care services, while less than half of those eligible veterans use VA health benefits, according to a RAND study. Yet, quality of care delivered by the VA is generally equal to or better than care delivered in the private sector. A misunderstanding or frustration with the application process causes many veterans to simply forgo VA health benefits. Oftentimes, confusion about qualification requirements keeps veterans from receiving their health benefits.
AARP’s Veterans and Military Families Health Benefits Navigator is available at www.AARP.org/VetsHealthNavigator. For more information and other resources for veterans, visit www.aarp.org/veterans.
To all the veterans, thank you for your service and sacrifice for our great country.
Ron Mori is a member of the Washington, D.C., JACL chapter and manager of community, states and national affairs — multicultural leadership for AARP.
