Special Enrollment Deadline for Veterans Who Served in Combat Zones

Veterans who deployed to a combat zone, never enrolled in VA health care, and left active duty between September 11, 2001 and October 1, 2013 are eligible to enroll directly in VA health care until September 30, 2023. This special enrollment period gives Veterans who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other combat zones an opportunity to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits or meeting low income requirements.

This special enrollment period is a part of the PACT Act, signed into law on August 10, 2022. Since its passage, more than 344,000 Veterans have enrolled in VA health care and more than 4.2 million enrolled Veterans have been screened for toxic exposures.

“Even if you don’t need this care now, you may need it in the future – and once you’re in, you have access for life,” said VA Secretary Denis McDonough. “But don’t wait – the deadline is September 30 – so go to VA.gov/PACT and apply today.”

“We want all Veterans across San Diego and Imperial Counties to be connected to the health care services they’ve earned,” said VA San Diego Healthcare System Director and CEO, Dr. Frank Pearson. “We welcome these heroes to enroll for direct access to care at any of our VA facilities in San Diego and Imperial Counties. It is critical to know that enrollment opportunity closes at the September 30 deadline, so don’t waste any time; get to the VA and enroll now!.”

VA encourages all eligible Veterans to visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more and sign up for VA health care before the deadline.

Although this deadline is written into law for this specific group of Veterans, many other groups of Veterans are able to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits – including many Vietnam Veterans, Gulf War Veterans, Veterans who deployed to a combat zone and transitioned out of the service less than 10 years ago, and more. Veterans who do not meet any of the above criteria can often still access VA health care by filing for VA benefits or based on income. And Veterans granted service connection for any health condition become eligible for VA health care.

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The VA San Diego Healthcare System is located at the Jennifer Moreno VA Medical Center and seven community VA clinics. The system provides care to 116,000 Veterans in San Diego County and Imperial County. We recently received a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, one of 36 VA medical centers nationwide to receive this distinction.

Scott Gomer, Chief Communications Officer

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