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Phased rollout of new veterans health ID cards begins this Feb.
HAGATNA, Guam—The Department of Veterans Affairs is undergoing a phased rollout of a newly designed, more secure Veteran Health Identification Card.
These cards have additional security features and will have a different look and feel. Similar to a regular health insurance card the card also acts as a Veterans Health Identification Card. The VHIC displays the veteran’s member ID, a new unique identifier, as well as a Plan ID, reflecting the veteran’s enrollment in VA health care.
“Our Veterans are truly beginning to benefit from remarkable changes in their benefits and services,” said Guam Sen. Frank B. Aguon Jr. “The rollout of these new insurance cards is a testament to our federal Department of Veterans Affairs’ effort to modernize, improve, and expand services for all veterans.”
The VHIC is personalized to display the emblem of the veteran’s branch of service. It also provides features that make it easier to use. An addition of “VA” in Braille will help visually impaired veterans and the printing of VA phone numbers and emergency care instructions will also be placed on the cards. The card replaces the Veteran Identification Card, which was introduced in 2004.The issuing of these cards is a phased rollout and the card will only be offered to newly enrolled and other veterans who have not been issued a VIC.
In early April, the VA will begin a three-month effort to automatically issue the more secure VHIC to current VIC cardholders. (PR)
