In order to expand eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that it will change the calculation used to determine the distance between a Veteran's residence and the nearest VA medical facility from a straight line distance to driving distance. The change is expected to roughly double the number of eligible Veterans. Veterans seeking to use the Veterans Choice Program should call 1-866-606-8198 to confirm their eligibility and to schedule an appointment. A fact sheet on the 40-mile-rule change is available online. For more information, visit the Veterans Choice Program webpage at www.va.gov/opa/choiceact/factsheets_and_details.asp and the VA Progress Report online.
For more on veteran programs, visit the Military.com Benefits Center.