From the Desk of the National Service Officer:

On May 5, 2010, the President signed into law Public Law 111-163, the ‘Caregiver and Veterans’

Omnibus Health Services Act” of 2011 that will provide help to many groups of veterans

including the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) members. The new law covers a broad array of health-care initiatives and reforms contained in multiple bills including a prohibition against the collection of co-payments by the VA from veterans who are catastrophically disabled and enrolled in Priority Group 4. Section 511 of the Act exempts catastrophically disabled veterans from co-payments for hospital care and medical service’s, which includes co-payments for prescription, drugs. PVA members are often the highest users of the VA health-care services and this legislation will ensure that our non-service connected, catastrophically disabled veterans will continue to receive the highest level of quality health care without the heavy financial burden that many have faced in the past.

PVA National Staff are now working with the staff at the VA to get this legislation implemented as soon as possible and anticipate that this new policy should come online within the next few months. Also, the VA has informed PVA that it will have a means to reimburse veterans who have paid for services retroactively to May 5, 2010 when the law was signed.

Some veterans who are in a higher Priority Group, specifically Priority Group 2 or 3, and have suffered a catastrophic disability may still have co-payments for services and prescriptions for the treatment and care of their catastrophic disability. This legislation currently affects only veterans enrolled in Priority Group 4. Priority Group 4 consists of veterans who are receiving aid and attendance or housebound pension from the VA and/ or veterans who have been determined by the VA to be catastrophically disabled.

If you have any questions about which Priority Group you are enrolled, please contact your PVA National Service Officer.

Michael L. Killen

Senior Benefits Advocate