Today, I would like to introduce a special healthcare facility in Long Beach: the VA Long Beach Healthcare System.

The address is 5901 E. 7th Street, Long Beach, and unlike regular hospitals, it is directly operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

If you have served in the military in the U.S., you may have heard the name VA. However, among Korean Americans, there are many who wonder, "I served in the military, can I use this?" or "How do I register?" and are often unsure.

This hospital is one of the representative VA medical facilities in Southern California, with over 400 beds. It offers a wide range of medical services, including internal medicine, surgery, emergency care, mental health, rehabilitation, long-term care, and various specialty clinics. In terms of scale, it is comparable to a general hospital.

Of course, it is not a hospital that anyone can use. You must be a Veteran who has completed military service in the U.S. and must register for VA healthcare. Once registration is complete, benefits are determined based on factors such as length of service, discharge type, disability rating, and income level.

Some individuals may use the services with little to no out-of-pocket costs, while others may only have to pay a small copay for certain services.

Notably, there are many Korean Americans who have served in the U.S. military.

From the Vietnam War generation to those who served in the Gulf War, Iraq War, and Afghanistan War, many Korean veterans reside in Southern California. There are also active Korean veteran groups in Long Beach, Torrance, Gardena, and Cerritos.

Another important point to note is the VA Mission Act. If a VA hospital is too far away or if there is a long wait for an appointment, you may be able to receive care at a civilian hospital through the Community Care program, depending on certain conditions. Additionally, retired military personnel or military families with TRICARE insurance may have the option to use civilian hospitals as well, so it is advisable to check your benefits.

I've seen some Korean seniors around who say, "I didn't know if I qualified, so I just use Medicare or private insurance." However, it turns out that they could have received VA benefits. These situations often go unnoticed unless someone informs them.

If you or a family member has military service experience, it's worth checking your VA registration status. For detailed consultations, you can call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or visit the official VA website.

While it is often said that healthcare costs in the U.S. are high, it is also crucial to make proper use of the benefits available. Especially for veterans who have served the country for a lifetime, I hope you take advantage of the healthcare benefits provided by the VA. There are many programs that can be missed if you are not aware of them.