Visit Tripler to sign up for VA health care

Question: How do I begin to receive Department of Veterans Affairs health benefits and medical services?

Answer: When you enroll for the VA health benefits package, you will be asked if you are interested in receiving care through the VA primary care program. If you are interested, bring a copy of your honorable discharge (DD 214) to the VA Medical Clinic located at Tripler Army Medical Center. In the meantime, if you are currently under the care of a non-VA health-care provider, please continue until you receive an appointment from VA.

At your first appointment, your primary care provider will conduct a thorough physical examination, obtain a complete medical history, review your current medications, and arrange for any laboratory or diagnostic tests. A veteran must bring copies of medical records from his or her private provider. For more information, contact the VA Medical Center at 433-0600. You can also review what is available through the VA's Web site, www.va.gov.

Q: I heard that VA insurance death benefits can be accelerated for terminally ill policyholders. Is that true?

A. Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance, and Veterans' Group Life Insurance policyholders who are terminally ill (prognosis of nine months or less to live) can receive up to 50 percent of their coverage amount in advance. This option may be requested one time only. For additional information, contact the VA at (800) 827-1000.

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.

Gregg K. Kakesako, who covers military affairs for the Star-Bulletin, can be reached by phone at 294-4075 or by e-mail at gkakesako@starbulletin.com. See also: In The Military