Instead of measuring straight-line distance, a veteran’s actual driving mileage will be used.
Veterans who must drive more than 40 miles to the nearest Department of Veterans affairs medical facility are now eligible for the Veterans Choice Card, which will give them access to health care from private practitioners.
VA published an interim final rule on April 24 that changed the distance criteria. The American Legion had testified before Congress a month earlier, pointing out that the straight-line (geodesic) distance criterion was unfairly excluding many veterans from the Choice Card program.
According to the VA, the new distance rule will roughly double the number of veterans eligible for the program. The department is sending letters of notification to these newly eligible veterans.
Veterans who have any questions about the Choice Card or their eligibility should call (866) 606-8198.
VA has also changed the mileage calculation for beneficiary travel, using the fastest route instead of the shortest route.
For more on the 40-mile distance change, click here.
- Veterans Benefits