Bozho,

Attention Veterans! There are changes in VA Health Care Eligibility! Effective 2015, the Department of Veterans Affairs has eliminated the use of net worth as a determining factor for both health care programs and co-payment responsibilities.

This change makes VA Health Care Benefits more accessible to lower-income veterans. Instead of combining the sum of veterans’ income with other assets to determine eligibility for medical care and co-payment obligations, VA will now only consider a Veteran’s gross household income and deductible expenses from the previous year. Veterans may submit updated income information at www.1010ez.med.va.gov, or by visiting their nearby VA Health Care facility. For more information, visit the VA’s Health Benefits web page at www.va.gov/healthbenefits or call VA toll-free at 1-877-222-VETS (8387).

Another VA item is that starting 25 March 2015 of this year the VA is streamlining claims processes to deliver benefits faster and more accurately. Three important changes are now in effect.

  1. Informal claims have migrated to a new intent to file process.
  2. Use of standardized forms is now required when filing for benefits.
  3. Initiating an appeal requires a standardized notice of disagreement form.

To learn how the new standardized forms and intent to file process affects you, go to www.VA.gov.

The Vietnam Era Veterans Banquet is coming together and our location is finalized at the Grand Casino Hotel and Resort. Check out our latest signup sheet below this column which you can cut out and mail back to us for your registration.

Any questions can be sent by mail at the above address or main phone number: 405-964-4894 or Commander Daryl Talbot talbotok@sbcglobal.net Treasurer David Joe Barrett dbarrett@potawatomi.org

The above form is needed to reserve a place at the banquet. Remember the deadline is 15 July 2015.

We normally have our monthly meeting the final Tuesday of the month, but this past weekend’s flooding has resulted in us calling off tonight’s planned meeting. We will be conducting an executive meeting at some point in the coming weeks to take care of our day-to-day business, but our next meeting will likely take place Sat. June 27, 2015 at Family Reunion Festival. Look for our CPN Veterans Organization meeting on the Family Festival schedule when you arrive at our annual event and please join us. If there are any questions until then, please contact me at talbotok@sbcglobal.net.