W. G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center - Salisbury, NC

Returning Service Members

The W. G. (Bill) Hefner VAMC values you and your family's service. Now it's our turn to serve YOU!

You have 5 years from your date of discharge to receive free health care for any condition that may be related to combat service. Whether or not you choose to use VA health care after separation, you must enroll with the VA within 5 years to get health care benefits later on.

All Veterans are encouraged to enroll in the VA Health Care System. To begin the process, please complete an Application for health care benefits.

 

 Points of Contact for Returning Combat Veterans

If you have served in Operations Enduring & Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF), please contact us in any of the following ways:

• Call the Transition and Care Management Program Office at (704) 638-9000 ext. 15507.

OEF/OIF Services Available
Primary Care Dental Care Vision Care Polytrauma Social Work Counseling	Rehabilitation Behavioral Health Psychological Services Family Benefits Counseling Community Resources Referral Assistance

Related Links VA Seamless Transition  VHA Benefits & Services  Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors  Eligibility & Enrollment  National Center for PTSD Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  for veterans to call and speak with someone 1-800-273-TALK (8255) If in immediate crisis, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency care center. Suicide Warning Signs

Army Wounded Warriors Program Local Contact:

Terry Lollis, MEd, AW2 Advocate
Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2)
U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command (WTC) AFSC Contractor
Office: (704) 638-9000 ext. 15505
Cell: (704) 680-8140
AW2 online: www.WTC.army.mil/AW2 
AW2 blog: http://AW2.armylive.dodlive.mil
AW2 Facebook: http://facebook.com/armyAW2

Special Eligibility and Coordination of Care for Combat Veterans Serving in Combat Theater After 11/11/1998- Returning Servicemembers (OEF/OIF/OND)

The Post-9/11 Transition and Care Management Program offers transitional assistance, case management and outreach services to all Veterans who have served after September 11, 2001 in their transition to civilian life. For more information about the various programs available for recent returning service members, log on to the Returning Servicemembers web site.

Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations also have special eligibility for VA health care. Under the "Combat Veteran" authority VA provides cost-free health care services and nursing home care for conditions possibly related to military service and enrollment in Priority Group 6 or higher for 5 years from the date of discharge or release from active duty, unless eligible for enrollment in a higher priority group.

Combat Veterans who enroll with VA under this enhanced Combat Veteran authority will continue to be enrolled even after their enhanced eligibility period ends, although they may be shifted to Priority Group 7 or 8, depending on their income level, and required to make applicable copays. Additionally, for care not related to combat service, copays may be required depending on their financial assessment and other special eligibility factors.

NOTE: The 5-year enrollment period applicable to these Veterans begins on the discharge or separation date of the service member from active duty military service, or in the case of multiple call-ups, the most recent discharge date.