WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) have implemented a significant update to the installation access process for Veterans and their eligible caregivers, reflecting an ongoing commitment to ease access to essential services at military installations. This revamped system introduces electronic verification to streamline entry for medical appointments, shopping, and morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) services.
A noteworthy change in this process is the elimination of the need for Veterans and caregivers to present various documents, such as the VA-issued caregiver patronage letter or service-connected disability letter, as of November 1, 2024. Instead, eligibility will be electronically verified, simplifying access for those without a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC). These individuals can now utilize a REAL ID Act-compliant driver’s license or non-driver’s identification card for enrollment at visitor centers.
VA Deputy Secretary Tanya Bradsher expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts between the VA and DOD, stating, “DOD installations provide numerous benefits and critical services to our nation’s Veterans, including health care. We are grateful for our partnership with DOD and the ability to implement these updates to make military installation access easier for Veterans and their caregivers.”
The updated system requires eligible Veterans and caregivers to establish identity, fitness, and purpose on their initial visit to a DOD installation. This process includes presenting a VHIC or REAL ID to verify identity, undergoing an immediate criminal record and terrorism check to ensure fitness, and having their eligibility for installation benefits confirmed electronically. For healthcare purposes, proof of appointment may still be required if the installation lacks certain facilities.
Once enrolled, Veterans and caregivers can gain recurring access by presenting the same identification used during their initial enrollment. The validity of enrollment spans one to three years or extends one year beyond their last visit, subject to the expiration of their identification, necessitating reenrollment.
Ashish S. Vazirani, serving as Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, emphasized the importance of a seamless access experience: “Our Veterans and their caregivers deserve a smooth experience in accessing installations. We are glad to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs on this initiative and look forward to continuing to welcome eligible Veterans and VA caregivers to military exchanges and commissaries, and at eligible facilities like golf courses, movie theaters and clubs.”
While the new system facilitates entry to installations, physical proof of eligibility remains necessary for commissary, exchange, and MWR services, as these facilities currently lack electronic verification capabilities. Eligible caregivers, defined as primary family caregivers under the VA’s Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers, must still present hard copy documentation to access these benefits.
This initiative represents the latest in a series of efforts by the VA and DOD to enhance healthcare access for Veterans, with recent expansions evident in regions such as Alabama, the Gulf Coast and Tampa areas of Florida, Kentucky, New York’s Hudson Valley, Tennessee, and Virginia. This collaborative approach aims to provide comprehensive support to those who served, reinforcing the ongoing commitment to their welfare and integration into community services.
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