EDS Chosen to Manage Combat Veteran Call Center for Department of Veterans Affairs

HERNDON, Va., May 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has selected EDS to provide outbound calling services and inbound callback support to facilitate the Combat Veteran Call Center outreach and education campaign to make combat veterans more aware of health care services and benefits available from the VA. Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

The Combat Veteran Call Center will increase awareness of the extension of health care and benefits eligibility for veterans of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is the first task order awarded under the General Services Administration's $2.5 billion USA Contact contract vehicle.

Calls to veterans began on May 1 and will reach out to nearly 570,000 recent wartime veterans over the next six months. Initially, the campaign will focus on about 17,000 veterans who, based on their wartime injuries or illnesses, are considered candidates for care management. During the second phase, about 550,000 Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans who have not yet enrolled for VA health care services will be contacted.

"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 as they deliver vital services to those who have served our country in its battle against terrorism."

EDS will support the VA's education and outreach campaign through the Combat Veteran Call Center by providing the necessary facilities, staff, equipment, supplies and services. The company's phone representatives will make initial calls to veterans, interview them to assess their needs, and send information about available VA health care services and benefits. In addition, EDS callers will follow-up with the veteran to ensure their needs are 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."

About EDS

EDS is a leading global technology services company delivering business solutions to its clients. EDS founded the information technology outsourcing industry more than 45 years ago. Today, EDS delivers a broad portfolio of information technology and business process outsourcing services to clients in the manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, communications, energy, transportation, and consumer and retail industries and to governments around the world. Learn more at eds.com.

CONTACT: Ericka Floyd - EDS 703 742 1477 ericka.floyd@eds.com