Paul Sanchez
Veterans who are retiring are eligible for TRICARE and may also be eligible for certain Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. If a veteran is separating from service due to a service-connected disease or disability, they may be eligible for VA benefits and certain TRICARE benefits. OEF/OIF/OND combat veterans are eligible for free medical care for any condition related to their service in Iraq or Afghanistan for 10 years after discharge.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for Tricare insurance? | Retired service members |
| Military retirees | |
| Service members who separate due to a service-connected disease or disability | |
| OEF/OIF/OND combat veterans who have just returned from service | |
| Who is not eligible for Tricare insurance? | Service members who were discharged dishonourably |
| Criteria | Served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11 |
| Served in the active military, naval, or air service | |
| Served 24 continuous months or the full period for which called to active duty |
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What You'll Learn
Veterans retiring from active duty
When leaving active duty, service members may be entitled to benefits offered by TRICARE and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), depending on whether they are retiring or separating from service. If you are retiring, you are eligible for TRICARE as a military retiree and may also be eligible for certain VA benefits.
Retired service members may be eligible for both TRICARE and VA benefits, meaning that their healthcare may be covered by either or both. For most healthcare needs, TRICARE may be the main source of coverage. Most VA facilities are TRICARE network providers, and TRICARE will cover the cost of treatment even if the same treatment has been received through the VA for the same medical condition in a previous episode of care. However, TRICARE will not duplicate payments made by the VA or authorized to be made by the VA.
To be eligible for VA health care benefits, veterans must have served in the active military, naval, or air service and not have received a dishonorable discharge. They must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty. Veterans who served on active military service and meet the length-of-service requirements may qualify for VA health care benefits.
Service members who separate from service due to a service-connected disease or disability may be eligible for VA benefits and certain TRICARE benefits. OEF/OIF/OND combat veterans who have recently returned from service can receive free medical care for any condition related to their service in Iraq or Afghanistan for 10 years after discharge.
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Veterans discharged due to service-connected illness/injury
Veterans who were discharged due to a service-connected illness or injury may be eligible for certain TRICARE benefits. When leaving active duty, service members may be entitled to benefits offered by TRICARE and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), depending on whether they are retiring or separating. If a service member is retiring, they are eligible for TRICARE as a military retiree and may also be eligible for certain VA benefits.
Service members who separate due to a service-connected disease or disability may be eligible for VA benefits and certain TRICARE benefits. For example, if you are an OEF/OIF/OND combat veteran who has just returned from service, you can receive free medical care for any condition related to your service in Iraq or Afghanistan for 10 years after discharge.
To be eligible for VA health care, veterans must have served in the active military, naval, or air service and not have received a dishonorable discharge. They must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty. However, this minimum duty requirement may not apply if the veteran was discharged due to a disability caused or made worse by their active-duty service.
Veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in any combat zone after 9/11, including the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan, are eligible for VA health care. Combat veterans can apply right away to take advantage of 10 years of enhanced eligibility.
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Veterans needing mental health support
Veterans and their families can benefit from TRICARE's mental health coverage. This includes care for a range of mental health and substance use disorders, including opioid treatment programs and office-based opioid treatments, as well as emergency inpatient hospital services. There are no longer any limits on the number of times beneficiaries can receive substance use disorder treatment, smoking cessation counseling, or outpatient treatment per week.
TRICARE's mental health coverage also includes applied behavior analysis, cancer clinical trials, durable medical equipment, home health care, hospice care, and skilled nursing facility care. If someone in your family needs home health care services, TRICARE may cover the cost. TRICARE may also cover the cost of renting or purchasing equipment to improve your quality of life.
If you or a family member needs immediate mental health support, you can call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. You can also chat with a counselor at 988Lifeline.org. If you are unsure about your or your family member's needs, you can call the MHS Nurse Advice Line or Military OneSource for assistance. You can also learn more about mental health services at your local military hospital or clinic.
To find the nearest military treatment facility, you can use the TRICARE Military Treatment Facility Locator by searching with your ZIP code or military installation. These facilities provide care for service members and their families.
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Veterans requiring dental care
Dental coverage is separate from Tricare's medical coverage. The TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) is a voluntary dental plan. Sponsors can enrol through the Beneficiary Web Enrollment website.
TRICARE Dental Program network dentists can complete the dental exam form (DD 2813) for you at no cost. If you get any dental care before your start date, you will have to pay for the full cost of your care.
You can disenroll from the TRICARE Dental Program by completing a new TRICARE Dental Program Enrollment/Change Authorization Form. Your coverage will end depending on when your form is received. You may be able to disenroll on the Beneficiary Web Enrollment website. You must enrol for a minimum of 12 months. After the 12-month period, you can continue on a month-to-month basis.
Please note that adult children enrolled in TRICARE Young Adult do not qualify for dental benefits.
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Veterans exposed to toxins during service
Veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards during their military service are now eligible for VA health care. This includes veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11. It also covers veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards during active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training in the United States. This means that millions of veterans who may have been exposed to toxins such as air pollutants, chemicals, occupational hazards, radiation, and warfare agents are now eligible for VA health care.
The expansion of VA health care eliminates the phased-in approach called for by the PACT Act, allowing veterans to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits. This makes it quicker and easier for veterans to enroll and access the healthcare they need.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough has stated that the VA is committed to providing the best and most affordable healthcare for veterans, and once enrolled, veterans will have access to VA healthcare for life. This expansion ensures that veterans who may have been exposed to toxins or hazards during their service can receive the necessary healthcare and support.
While this expansion is a positive step, some veterans have expressed concerns about the challenges of accessing VA healthcare. For example, one veteran from Cape Coral, Florida, shared their experience of long wait times and difficulties in receiving meaningful care due to overcrowding and overstretched staff. These issues highlight the importance of ensuring that the VA has the necessary resources and capacity to meet the healthcare needs of all eligible veterans.
Overall, the expansion of VA health care eligibility for veterans exposed to toxins during their service is a significant development that recognizes the importance of providing healthcare support to those who have served their country. By offering direct access to VA healthcare, this expansion aims to improve the accessibility and affordability of healthcare for millions of veterans.
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Frequently asked questions
Veterans are eligible for TRICARE insurance if they are retiring from active duty. They may also be eligible for certain benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Yes, veterans must have served in the active military, naval, or air service and not have received a dishonorable discharge. They must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty.
Yes, if a veteran is separating from service due to a service-connected illness or injury, they may be eligible for VA health care benefits and certain TRICARE benefits.
OEF/OIF/OND combat veterans who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan are eligible to receive free medical care for any condition related to their service for 10 years after discharge.
