Navigation Expanded Healthcare Benefits Available for New Groups of Veterans Effective October 1, 2022
With the signing of the PACT Act on August 10, 2022 tens of thousands of Veterans will now be eligible to enroll in, and receive, VA healthcare on October 1, 2022. The largest group affected are those pos-9/11 servicemembers who have not previously enrolled in VA healthcare and meet certain criteria for enrollment. Of note, these Veterans will only have a one-year window to sign up for these benefits based on the language of the law. Secretary McDonough has said that the VA has hired increased staff to handle these claims and for the increased demand for healthcare through the VA.
To be eligible, Veterans would need to have served on active duty in a combat theater after the 1991 Persian Gulf War, served against a hostile force after Nov. 11, 1998, or were discharged or released from active duty from Sept. 11, 2001, to Oct. 1, 2013.
