Paul Sanchez
Veterans can get medical insurance through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which provides medical benefits packages to qualifying veterans. These benefits include coverage for routine eye exams, preventive tests, and in some cases, eyeglasses or services for blind or low-vision rehabilitation. Additionally, veterans may be eligible for assisted living, residential, or home health care. The specific benefits received depend on the veteran's priority group, which is assigned based on eligibility and income. Veterans who served in active duty and did not receive a dishonorable discharge may be eligible for VA medical benefits. Other factors that determine eligibility include the length of service, exposure to toxins or hazards, and whether the veteran was discharged due to a service-connected disability or hardship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for VA health care? | Veterans who meet basic service and discharge requirements and were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving. This includes veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11. |
| What is covered by VA health benefits? | Routine eye exams, preventive tests, eyeglasses, services for blind or low-vision rehabilitation, dental care, assisted living, residential or home health care, prosthetic items, audiology, radiation oncology, beneficiary travel benefits, caregiver support, veterans transportation service, etc. |
| How to apply for VA health benefits? | Online, by phone or mail, or in person. |
| Other health insurance coverage | Having other health insurance coverage does not affect the VA health care benefits one can get. |
| TRICARE For Life (TFL) | A program that provides health coverage to all military retirees, their spouses, survivors, and other qualified dependents. |
| CHAMPVA | A health benefit program that spouses, children, survivors, and family caregivers may qualify for. |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility for VA health care
Veterans who meet the basic service and discharge requirements and were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving their country are eligible for VA health care. This includes veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11. To be eligible, veterans 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 aggravated by their active-duty service.
Veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, are also subject to the same minimum duty requirements. Additionally, current or former reserve or National Guard members must have been called to federal active duty and completed the full period of service. It is important to note that active-duty status for training purposes does not qualify for VA health care.
If you are a combat veteran, you are eligible for 10 years of enhanced eligibility. This means you will be placed in a higher priority group, making it more likely that you will receive benefits. Other factors that can enhance eligibility status include receiving financial compensation from the VA for a service-connected disability or qualifying for Medicaid benefits.
VA health care benefits cover a range of services, including routine eye exams, preventive tests, dental care, assisted living, and long-term care services. Veterans can also receive assistance with non-medical services, such as beneficiary travel benefits, caregiver support, and transportation services. It is important to note that VA health care benefits work alongside other insurance coverage, and veterans can still receive VA benefits even if they have separate health insurance.
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Additional services covered
Veterans who qualify for VA health care will receive coverage for services to help them get and stay healthy. Each veteran's medical benefits package is unique and depends on factors such as income level, disability rating, and military service history. However, some additional services covered by VA health benefits include:
- Routine eye exams and preventive tests, with coverage for eyeglasses or services for blind or low-vision rehabilitation in some cases.
- Dental care, although this is only available to some veterans as an added benefit.
- Assisted living, residential, or home health care.
- Prosthetic items.
- Audiology (care for hearing loss).
- Radiation oncology (cancer care).
- Beneficiary travel benefits to help with travel-related treatment.
- Caregiver support for those who care for the veteran.
- Veterans transportation service to help with getting to and from appointments.
- Foreign language or American Sign Language services to help understand medical or healthcare benefits.
Additionally, VA health care meets the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirement of having "minimum essential health coverage." Veterans can also use VA health care benefits alongside other insurance plans such as private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE. If a veteran is retiring, they are eligible for TRICARE and may also qualify for certain VA health care benefits. OEF/OIF/OND combat veterans who have returned from serving in Iraq or Afghanistan can receive free medical care for any condition related to their service for 10 years after discharge. Furthermore, veterans exposed to toxins or hazards while serving, including those who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any combat zone after 9/11, are eligible for VA health care.
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Other health insurance coverage
Veterans who meet the basic service and discharge requirements and were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving are eligible for VA health care. This includes veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11. However, those who served in active duty for training purposes only do not qualify for VA health care. If you are a veteran with a disability rating of at least 50%, all your medical care is free from the VA. If you have a lower disability rating, you may have to pay a copay for certain services.
Veterans with other private health insurance, including a Medigap policy, can still receive VA health care benefits. By law, the VA must bill the insurance carrier for care received for non-service-connected conditions. Additionally, if you are retiring, you are eligible for TRICARE, which provides health coverage to military retirees and their spouses, survivors, and other qualified dependents. TRICARE can also be available to those separating from service due to a service-connected illness or injury. If you are an OEF/OIF/OND combat veteran, you can receive free medical care for any condition related to your service in Iraq or Afghanistan for 10 years after discharge.
If you do not have VA benefits, you may still qualify for health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Additionally, the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is a program that offers health benefits to spouses, children, survivors, and family caregivers of veterans.
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Health care for transitioning service members
Transitioning from military to civilian life can be challenging for service members and their families, especially when it comes to healthcare. There are, however, several options available to ensure continuous, comprehensive, and quality healthcare during this transition.
Transitional Assistance Management Program (TAMP)
The TAMP offers transitional Tricare coverage to certain separating active-duty members and their eligible family members. This coverage is available for 180 days and includes those who have been:
- Separated from active duty after being called up for a period of more than 30 days
- Involuntarily retained in support of a contingency operation
- National Guard members or reservists
Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP)
After TAMP eligibility expires, service members and their families can apply for temporary, transitional medical coverage under the CHCBP. This premium-based program provides continuous healthcare coverage for up to 18 or 36 months, acting as a bridge between military and civilian health benefits. The program is run by Humana Military Healthcare Services, and applications can be found on their website.
VA Health Benefits
If you meet the basic service and discharge requirements, you may be eligible for VA health care benefits. This includes veterans who:
- Served in the active military, naval, or air service and received an honorable discharge
- Served a minimum of 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty
- Were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving, including in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any combat zone after 9/11
VA health benefits cover a range of services, including routine eye exams, preventive tests, dental care, assisted living, and non-medical services like beneficiary travel benefits and caregiver support.
Other Options
If you do not qualify for the above programs, you may still be eligible for health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace or Medicaid. Additionally, as of 2021, the Army provides gender transition care and surgeries for transgender soldiers, including hormone therapy and mental healthcare.
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Health care for veteran dependents
Veterans who meet basic service and discharge requirements and were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving are eligible for VA health care. This includes all veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11. Veterans who served in the active military, naval, or air service and didn't receive a dishonorable discharge are also eligible, provided they served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty.
VA health care benefits cover most services, including routine eye exams, preventive tests, and, in some cases, eyeglasses or services for blind or low-vision rehabilitation. Veterans may also receive coverage for dental care, assisted living, residential or home health care, prosthetic items, audiology, and radiation oncology. Non-medical services covered include beneficiary travel benefits, caregiver support, and veterans transportation services.
Dependents of veterans may also qualify for certain benefits, including health care, life insurance, or money for school. The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is a program that provides health insurance to the spouses, dependents, and survivors of veterans who meet certain service-connected disability requirements. Respite care is also available for family caregivers of veterans, which pays for short-term care when a break from caregiving is needed. The Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance Program and the Fry Scholarship are additional programs that provide money for school or to help cover expenses while training for a job.
If a veteran does not qualify for VA benefits, they may still be eligible for health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
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Frequently asked questions
VA health care is a program that provides health coverage to veterans who meet basic service and discharge requirements and were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving.
VA health care covers most care and services, including routine eye exams and preventive tests. In some cases, eyeglasses or services for blind or low-vision rehabilitation may also be covered.
To be eligible for VA health care, veterans must have served in the active military, naval, or air service and not have received a dishonourable discharge. They must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty.
You can apply for VA health benefits online, by phone, mail, or in person.
If you don't have VA benefits, you may still qualify for health coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace or other programs such as TRICARE For Life (TFL).
