To aid the Combat Veteran Call Center outreach and education campaign, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has chosen EDS (News - Alert) to provide outbound calling services and inbound callback support in order, the government agency announced today.

The campaign for the new program began as combat veterans more aware of health care services and benefits available from the VA.

 

Financial terms of the contract between the two organizations were not disclosed.

The Combat Veteran Call Center is expected to make more people aware of health care and benefits eligibility for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s the first task order awarded under the General Services Administration’s $2.5 billion USA Contact contract vehicle, according to EDS.

Calls to veterans began on May 1 and plans include reaching out to nearly 570,000 recent wartime veterans over the next six months. The campaign will initially focus on roughly 17,000 veterans who, based on their wartime injuries or illnesses, are considered candidates for care management.

The second phase will include contacting about 550,000 Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans who have not yet enrolled for VA health care services.

“The Department of Veterans Affairs works hard to provide high quality, prompt and seamless service to veterans,” said Don Picard, EDS’ vice president of federal healthcare. “We look forward to supporting VA employees.”

EDS said it plans to support the VA’s education and outreach campaign through the Combat Veteran Call Center by providing the necessary facilities, staff, equipment, supplies and services.

Officials at the company say EDS phone representatives will make initial calls to veterans to complete interview that will assess their needs. Representatives also will provide information about available VA health care services and benefits. Follow-up calls will also be completed to ensure that the veteran has had his or her needs met.

“EDS is committed to supporting the VA’s mission to educate and inform veterans of the range of benefits to which they are entitled,” said Dennis Stolkey, vice president and general manager, EDS U.S. Government and Public Sector. “It is extremely important to support these men and women who have sacrificed so much for their country.”

Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

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