Veterans and the Affordable Care Act

The federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) wants vets to be clear about something regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA): “The health care law does not change VA health benefits or veterans’ out-of-pocket costs.”

The VA has a page on its site dedicated to explaining to vets what they should know about their health care options. The VA emphasizes three points:

1. It wants all veterans to receive health care that improves their health and well-being.
2. Veterans enrolled in VA health care do not need to take additional steps to meet the health care law coverage standards.
3. Veterans not enrolled in VA health care can apply at any time.

The VA also explains how family members not enrolled in VA health care can obtain health care coverage through what is known as the Marketplace or exchange, which will become operational in October 2013.

Everyone — with a few exceptions — must either have health insurance that meets a minimum standard or pay a fee starting in January 2014. The fee is the higher of:

• $95 or 1% of taxable income in 2014,
• $325 or 2% of taxable income in 2015, and
• $695 or 2.5% of taxable income in 2016.