The Aid & Attendance
Program
With 36 million Americans
over the age of 65 and nearly 1 in 3 is a Veteran, married to a Veteran or the
Widow of a Veteran it is not surprising that the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs is trying to curb rising health care costs. Yet one program that could open the door to the VA health
care system, as well as provide money for assisted living, adult day care and
home health care, isn't being explored by many vets who might benefit.
The reason: Most veterans
just don't know about it, VA officials say. It's called Aid and Attendance. For years, the VA program
has provided monthly payments to veterans and their spouses who have high
out-of-pocket medical costs, and who are disabled or homebound, to help them
offset health care expenses. The eligibility formula balances income against
medical bills, so middle-class vets could qualify for payments as high as
$1,949 a month. But VA officials
think more veterans might be eligible than are tapping into the program. They
consider Aid and Attendance one of the department's most underutilized
offerings. A recent study
commissioned by the VA suggested that less than 5% of eligible veterans
nationwide, and about 17% of eligible widows, are participating.
The Aid & Attendance
Program, which began in 1951 has never received the publicity that the
veterans' prescription, education and housing benefits did. According to a number of
volunteer service officers, more and more veterans are turning to the Aid &
Attendance program as medication and health costs continue to rise and the
economy is slow to recover.
Veterans who qualify for
Aid and Attendance automatically get full VA health care and prescription
benefits as well. Because the program's eligibility formula counts all
unreimbursed medical expenses against a veteran's income. A doctor also must certify that a
veteran or spouse has conditions requiring the "aid and attendance"
of another person or care center in order to live safely. About half of those receiving
the benefit live in nursing homes, with the rest in assisted living centers or
receiving home care. While
veterans and their families still may not know about Aid and Attendance, 22
States have picked up on the program as they try to grapple with shrinking
budget and rising health care costs.
In addition to state
governments, VA officials have heard about companies that assist veterans with
the lengthy application process.
While the private firms may not be available and appropriate for every
veteran, it is a viable solution to assist the Veteran, Widow and the family.
Raymond S Gettins, CRC
US Veteran Resources
218
Worthington Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45215
O: 513-297-5994
M: 513-702-7211
US
Veteran Resources, LLC is a private practitioner and is not connected with the
department of Veterans Affairs. A veteran benefits consultant must comply with
Federal Statutes governing the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of
any claim for veteran benefits with the US Department of Veterans Affairs.