August 28, 2017
Veterans Service Update
Department Veterans Service Office September Business Hours: The department service office will be closed for Labor Day on, Monday, September4th. The office is otherwise open each Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM until 4:00 PM during the month of September. Appointments are necessary for client visits. You may contact the department service office by calling our direct number of 317-916-3605; calling a long distance toll free number of 1-888-723-7999, extension 1; faxing us at 317-916-3406; or by using the following e-mail address: .
Local Veterans Service Issues:
Legion Day: The American Legion, Department of Indiana Legion Day will take place on Sunday, September 10, 2017 from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM at the Department Headquarters, 5440 Herbert Lord Road, Indianapolis, Indiana. The event will include kid friendly games; putt-putt golf; chili cook-off; horseshoes; a variety of soft drinks; and a 9/11 patriot observance. In addition, The American Legion Veterans Service Office will offer veterans benefits information, and VA claims filing and representation services. Legionnaires are encouraged to bring the whole family for a cost free day of fun and information.
Post Service Officers Attend Service Officer Training Seminar: American Legion department service officers conducted a training seminar for post service officers immediately following the department convention on Sunday, July 16, 2017. Those present received information to help post members and other veterans within their local communities better understand veterans benefits as well as where, when and how to apply for those benefits. These dedicated volunteers help further the goals of The American Legion by selflessly giving their time in service to other veterans, their dependents and survivors. Their efforts will allow many more veterans to lean about life changing benefits. Hats off to the following post service officers and post representatives for attending the seminar:
Joseph Fuller, Post 4; Rick Baum, Post 79; Richard Jones, Post 150; Jesse R. Booker, Post 148; Turner Nolan, Post 18; Sue Hunt, Post 42, and Luther H. Nixon, Post 354.
Veterans Services at the Department Fall Conference: The American Legion Department Fall Conference will take place at the Marriott Hotel, 7202 East 21st Street, Indianapolis, Indiana on Saturday, October 7. Department Service Officers will staff the veterans’ services and benefits information table in the lobby. During the Veterans Assistance Meeting, Bill Pease, Health Insurance Coordinator with ASPIN Health Services, will discuss how ASPIN offers free health insurance navigation services. The American Legion Department of Indiana General Hospital, Indiana Veterans Home, Veterans Employment, Homeless Veterans, and Nursing Home committees will also discuss their areas of veterans’ services. American Legion members may attend these free informative events.
National Veterans Service Issues:
VA Mental Health Care Now Available for Veterans with Other Than Honorable Discharges: Veterans having other-than-honorable (OTH) discharges are not normally eligible for VA health care services. Due to the high suicide rate for veterans, VA will now allow some veterans with OTH discharges access to emergency mental health stabilization care. Effective July 5, all Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical centers began offering emergency stabilization care for former service members who present at the facility with an emergent mental health need thought related to military service. Under this initiative, former service members with an OTH administrative discharge may receive care for their mental health emergency for an initial period of up to 90 days, that can include inpatient, residential or outpatient care. VA can provide this care at the VA emergency room, a VA Vet Center, or through the veterans’ crisis line. This service is limited to 90 days unless VA determines the mental health condition is the result of a service–related injury. Not all former service persons will receive care, however; this initiative still bars individuals with a dismissal, dishonorable discharge, or bad conduct discharge from a general court-martial. After the veteran begins receiving services, VA will conduct an administrative review of the discharge for VA benefits purposes. If VA holds the discharge as a continued bar for services, VA will bill for services rendered. (See VA Fact Sheet, June 2017)
VA Agrees to Pay Many Previously Denied Emergency Medical Expense Claims: In a congressional hearing on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, VA Secretary David Shulkin announced that VA would "voluntarily withdraw" its appeal in the legal case, Staab v. Shulkin, that required VA to reimburse veterans the costs of receiving private emergency medical care when VA facilities were not reasonably available. Also on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, Secretary Shulkin announced that the VA has drafted a regulation to authorize payment for Staab related claims, and has sent the regulation to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Draft regulations must clear OMB and be published in the Federal Register before VA can begin reimbursements. VA estimates that this process could take at least 9 months. Veteranshaving VA claims or appeals pending for reimbursement or payment of private medical expenses incurred in a medical emergency anytime since the “Emergency Care Fairness Act” was passed in 2009, could eventually receive payment.
Other veterans should refile and ask the VA Medical Center to reconsider their claims based upon the ruling in Staab v. Shulkin and the VA Secretary’s June 14, 2017 decision to accept that decision and withdraw VA’sappeal;
If:
(1) The veteran had been enrolled in the VA healthcare system,
(2) The veteran received VA healthcare services within two years of having a medical emergency requiring private healthcare service, and
(3) Since 2009, VA had previously denied the veteran’s claim for payment of those expenses due to part of the billbeing paid by a third party.
General Motors (GM) Military Discount Program: GM will provide eligible military members substantial discounts on the purchase of new Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles. Eligible military members include active duty members, reservists, National Guard members, veterans within one year of their discharge date, and military retirees – including their spouses – of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Corps and Cost Guard. Those interested may sign in or register at: gmmilitarydiscount.com/americanlegion then select “Get Authorization Number” from the program menu and follow the prompts, the print your authorization number and take it to your participating GM Dealer, along with a copy of your current Leave and Earrings Statement (LES), Retiree Account Statement, or your discharge papers (e.g. DD Form 214).
Veterans Online Shopping Benefit: The Department of Defense will soon grant on line exchange shopping privileges to veterans of the United States Armed Forces. You may go to vetveritfy.org and submit a verification form to check your eligibility. Learn more at: shopmyexchange.com/veterans.