VA Expands Choice Program Eligibility, Effective Immediately
VA Will Now Determine Eligibility Using Driving Distance
WASHINGTON - In order to expand eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program,
the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced that it will determine
eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program based on the distance between a
Veteran's place of residence and the nearest VA medical facility using driving
distance rather than straight-line distance. This change has been published in
the
<https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/04/24/2015-09370/driving-distance
-eligibility-for-the-veterans-choice-program> Federal Register and is effective
immediately.
"VA is pleased to announce the distance calculation change from straight-line to
driving distance for the Veterans Choice Program," said Secretary Robert
McDonald. "This update to the program will allow more Veterans to access care
when and where they want it. We look forward to continued dialogue with Veterans
and our partners to help us ensure continued improvements for Veterans' to
access care."
The change from straight-line to driving distance roughly doubles the number of
eligible Veterans. Letters are being sent to the newly eligible Veterans to let
them know they are now eligible for the Veterans Choice Program under this
expansion. If a Veteran does not remember receiving a Veterans Choice Card or
has other questions about the Choice Program, they can call (866) 606-8198.
Effective immediately, VA is also changing the mileage calculation for
beneficiary travel. The change will ensure consistency in VA's mileage
calculations across the two programs. The beneficiary travel calculation will
now be made using the fastest route instead of the shortest route.
For more details about the department's progress and related information, see
<http://www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/factsheets_and_details.asp>
www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/factsheets_and_details.asp.
SOURCE: VA News Release at
http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2695
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