VA Announces Camp Lejeune Medical Care Reimbursement

Did you live at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1957-87? Veterans and their families who lived at the U.S. Marine Corps base and were potentially affected by contaminated water may be eligible for VA health benefits. 

Learn more: http://go.usa.gov/fttP

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October 25, 2014

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced publication of the regulations in the Federal Register regarding provision of medical care to Veterans and reimbursement for care to their family members who were exposed to chemically contaminated drinking water at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. 

The regulations implement provisions of the “Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012,” which President Obama signed into law on August 6, 2012.  VA will provide hospital care and medical services to eligible Camp Lejeune Veterans and reimburse eligible family members for care for one or more of the 15 illnesses or conditions specified in the Act.

To be eligible for care, Veterans must have served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between January 1, 1957 and December 31, 1987.  Veterans who are determined to be eligible under the Camp Lejeune authority will not be charged a copayment for treatment associated to the 15 stated conditions nor will their third party insurance be billed for these medical services. 

VA may also reimburse eligible family members of Camp Lejeune Veterans for health care related to the 15 conditions. Eligible family members must have resided on Camp Lejeune as a dependent of an Active Duty Service member for no less than 30 days between January 1, 1957 and December 31, 1987 to receive benefits.  VA will also reimburse costs associated with hospital care and medical services, as the last payer, for the Veterans’ family members, including individuals who may have been in utero, for the same 15 illnesses or conditions.  Once those individuals have submitted claims to their insurance companies, they can apply to VA for reimbursement of the remaining balance of charges and fees connected to the qualifying illnesses.

Interested family members may apply online at https://www.clfamilymembers.fsc.va.gov.  Submitted applications and supporting documentation will be reviewed to determine family member eligibility for the program.  If you have questions regarding applying for CLFMP benefits, claims payment, appeals, or other related matters, feel free to call toll-free at 1-866-372-1144.  Additional CLFMP information is located online at the website listed above. 

The law requires VA to provide health care for the following illnesses or conditions:

• Bladder cancer                                                          • Miscarriage

• Breast cancer                                                            • Multiple myeloma

• Esophageal cancer                                                     • Myelodysplastic syndromes

• Female infertility                                                      • Neurobehavioral effects

• Hepatic steatosis                                                      • Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

• Kidney cancer                                                           • Renal toxicity

• Leukemia                                                                  • Scleroderma

• Lung Cancer

VHA Office of Public Health offers a website dedicated to the Camp Lejeune Program and information regarding eligibility at: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune/.

Veterans seeking more information about VA’s Camp Lejeune Program can call 1–877–222–VETS (8387).  Additionally, Veterans seeking to enroll in VA health benefits can enroll online at www.VA.gov/healthbenefits/apply.

Please share this information with other Veterans and their families.  Thank you for your service.

Sincerely,

Terry Walters, MD, MPH

Co-Chair

Camp Lejeune Implementation Task Force