Post 4763 SO Article 11.

In October 1996, Congress passed Public Law 104-262, the Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996.  This legislation paved the

way for creation of a Medical Benefits Package, a standard enhanced health benefits plan available to all enrolled veterans.  Once a vet applies

for enrollment, his, or her eligibility will be verified and the vet will be assigned to a priority group.  The priority groups range from 1 to 7,

with 1 being the highest priority for enrollment.  Under the Medical Benefits Package, the same services are generally available to all enrolled veterans regardless of the priority group assigned.

Priority Group 1

Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50% or more.

Priority Group 2

Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 30% or 40%.

Priority Group 3

     Veterans who are former POWs.

     Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 10% or 20%.

     Veterans discharged from active duty for a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty.

     Veterans who have received the Purple Heart.

     Veterans awarded special eligibility classification under 38 USC, Section 1151:  "...benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or

     vocational rehabilitation."

Priority Group 4

      Veterans who are receiving aid and assistance, or household benefits.

      Veterans who have been determined by VA to be catastrophically disabled.

Priority Group 5

Nonservice-connected veterans and noncompensable service-connected veterans rated 0% disabled, whose annual income and net worth

are below the established dollar thresholds.

Priority Group 6

All other eligible veterans who are not required to make co-payments for their care, including:

     World War I and Mexican Border War veterans.

     Veterans seeking care solely for disorders associated with:

          Exposure to Herbicides while serving in Vietnam; or

          Exposure to ionizing radiation during atmospheric testing, or during the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; or

          For disorders associated with service in the Gulf War; or

          For any illness associated with service in combat after the Gulf War, or during a period of hostility after

          November 11, 1998.

     Compensable 0% service-connected veterans.

Priority Group 7

Nonservice-connected veterans and noncompensable 0% service-connected veterans with income and net worth above

the established dollar thresholds and who agree to pay specified co-payments.

Priority Group 8

Priority Group 8 is similar to Priority Group 7, with the addition of a geographical means test standard set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Catastrophically Disabled:  Individuals who have a severe disabling injury, disorder, or disease which permanently

compromises their ability to carry out the activities of daily living to such a degree that they require personal or mechanical

assistance to leave home or bed , or require constant supervision to avoid physical harm to self or others.

Compensable:  A veteran who has been rated by VA as being 0% service-connected condition and who receives monetary benefit.

Co-payment:  A specific dollar amount of a covered health service expense for which a veteran is responsible to pay.

Noncompensable:  A veteran who has been rated by VA as being 0% service-connected condition, but who receives no monetary benefit.

Nonservice-connected:  An eligible veteran who has been discharged from active military duty and does not have an

illness or injury incurred in or aggravated during military service.