AARP Expands Tools to Help Hawai’i’s Veterans Access Health Care

AARP Hawai`i is co-sponsoring a Virtual Women’s Summit for women veterans on Saturday as AARP launches an updated Veterans and Military Families Health Benefits Navigator to bring together valuable information and resources to help veterans, military families and their caregivers navigate their health care options. The tool provides Hawai`i’s veterans with critical information about what is required to qualify for health care benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or Department of Defense (DoD). 

The Women’s Virtual Summit will help Hawai’i women veterans and their supporters access Veterans Administration services and address issues unique to women veterans. The summit will be held on Saturday, June 11^th from 9 a.m. to 12;45 p.m. Register at hawaiiveteransfoundation.org.

“Veterans and military families faced many difficulties serving our country; accessing health care benefits they earned shouldn’t be as challenging,” said Keali`i Lopez, AARP Hawai`i State Director. “This free, one-stop resource will help make the process less confusing and overwhelming for veterans and military families as they navigate the best path for their health care needs.”

Nearly 60% of all veterans are eligible for VA health care services, yet less than half of those eligible veterans use VA health benefits, according to a RAND study. And a survey conducted by the VA Center for Women Veterans found women veterans age 50-plus are the least likely group to use their earned benefits. In addition, of the 112,625 veterans living in Hawai`i, only 21% have utilized their earned benefits at VA health care, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The AARP Veterans and Military Families Health Benefits Navigator has just been expanded to help veterans and their families access VA Specialty Care Programs and Services in the following areas:

• Women Veterans Health Care Program
• Specialty Emotional and Mental Health Services
• Specialty Dental, Oral, Hearing and Vision Services
• Family Caregiver Assistance Program

The quality of care delivered by the VA is generally equal to or better than care delivered in the private sector, according to a RAND study. Frustration with the application process and confusion about qualification requirements keeps many veterans from receiving their health benefits.

AARP’s Veterans and Military Families Health Benefits Navigator is available at www.AARP.org/VetsHealthNavigator. For more information and other resources for veterans, visit www.aarp.org/veterans.