Please Use Your VA Medical Benefits

If you were in the military and have not applied for your medical benefits you are, plainly put, making a huge mistake.

First, my personal testimony.

I have no health insurance because of my income. I am at the poverty level. Fortunately, at the age of 19, I joined the Navy and did four years. I had no idea, of course, how much that would help me later.

A couple of months ago I fell and broke my hip. Because I am a stubborn idealist, I didn't go to the Dr. for three days, thus making the situation far worse. When I did go, I needed fairly major surgery. That, along with the rehab, medications, necessary things like wheel chair and walker, was provided to me at no cost by the VA. If it was billed to me, it would have cost approximately $100,000. That would have taken me nearly ten years to pay off if I used my entire monthly income.

Second, what you should do.

Go to your local VA facility with your DD214. Apply.

You will qualify. What your benefits are depends on a lot of factors, like your income, whether you have a purple heart and what not.

Please note there are benefits that you may not be made aware of. One I just found out about is:

Travel pay. If you live any distance from the VA facility, they will pay you. They give me $25 for every appointment I have.

Also, a non-health related benefit you may be eligible for is a VA pension. Please inquire about this too.

Regardless of how much or how little your income, please apply for your VA benefits. In life, we never know what may happen.

Thanks to the good people of the USA for providing these benefits.