The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 extended the period of enhanced enrollment eligibility and cost-free care for conditions potentially related to the theater of combat operations.

Major implications of this law are:

Any combat veteran currently enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system and new combat veteran enrollees who are discharged from active duty on or after January 28th, 2003, are eligible for enhanced enrollment placement into Priority Group 6,( unless eligible for higher priority group placement, for five years post discharge.

Combat veterans discharged from active duty before January 28, 2003 who did not previously enroll in the VA’s health care system and who apply for enrollment on or after Jan.28,2003, are eligible for enhanced enrollment placement into Prioriy 6 through January 27. 2011.

As a result of the National Defense Authorization Act, veterans who are eligible for retroactive refunds of co-payments they made for medical services and prescriptions associated with treatment related to combat experience.

VA medical facilities are currently conducting reviews to determine applicable co-payments which should be refunded to these veterans.

The Veterans Administration anticipates mailing letters to impacted veterans before the end of the year informing them that they are due a refund which will be issued by the end of December, 2009.

Veterans are asked to contact the VA’s Health Resources Center with any questions at 1-800-0932.

Update data provided by Disabled American Veterans.

I remind our readers that the VA Budget was approved back in October. The first time in 20 years the VA has budget has been signed off on before the end of the year. This is a good thing, as they have spent the last 60 days planning for 2010, which is assured to see a huge influx in the needs of returning vets.

The very reason for this Blog, is to impart information like this that never makes conventional news dailies. I hope you pass it on.