For Your Benefit
For and about Hawaii's military
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Pharmacy copayment is increased each year
Question: Why is the Department of Veterans Affairs pharmacy copayment rate increasing and how is the new amount calculated?
Answer: The pharmacy copayment went up $1 to $8 on Jan. 1 for each 30-day or less supply of medication for a nonservice-connected condition. This increase is required for each calendar year beginning after Dec. 31, 2002. The index of the previous Sept. 30 will be divided by the index as of Sept. 30, 2001. The ratio obtained will be multiplied by the original copayment amount of $7. The copayment amount of the new calendar year will be rounded down to the whole-dollar amount.
Q: Is it true that the VA and Goodwill Industries have signed an agreement to work together?
A: The agreement supports VA's Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program, which assists veterans with service-connected disabilities in preparing for, finding and keeping suitable employment.
With locations in the United States, Canada and 22 other countries, Goodwill Industries International, Inc. provides a network of 206 community-based organizations that serve people with workplace disadvantages and disabilities by providing job training and employment services, as well as job placement and post-employment support.
For more information concerning this program or the VA's Vocational Rehabilitation Program, call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 or visit the VA's Web site at www.va.gov.
If you have questions about your benefits as a veteran, call Fred Ballard at the Veterans Affairs at 433-0049 or visit the VA Web site at
www.va.gov/hawaii or the Star-Bulletin at 529-4747.