Alyssa Lane
Veterans Insurance is offered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide health care to eligible veterans and their dependents. The VA offers a range of health care options, including medical and dental care, and insurance benefits for veterans and their families. To apply for VA health care, veterans must meet certain eligibility criteria, including basic service and discharge requirements, and may be placed in one of eight priority groups to determine the urgency and cost of their care. Applications can be made online, by phone, fax, mail, or in person, and veterans can seek assistance from an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application method | Online, by phone, fax, mail, or in person |
| Requirements | Basic service and discharge requirements, exposure to toxins and hazards, active military/naval/air service, no dishonorable discharge, minimum duty requirements |
| Additional benefits | Dental care, dependent on service history, income, and disability |
| Eligibility | Assigned one of eight priority groups based on immediate care needs, financial situation, and health condition |
| Application assistance | Accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility criteria
To apply for veterans insurance, you must meet the eligibility criteria for VA health care. When you apply for VA health care, you will be assigned one of eight priority groups. This system ensures that veterans who need immediate care can be signed up quickly. Your priority group may affect how soon you are signed up and how much you'll need to pay toward the cost of your care.
All veterans who meet basic service and discharge requirements and who 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. To be eligible, you must have served in the active military, naval, or air service and not have received a dishonorable discharge. You must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty. There are exceptions to this minimum duty requirement if:
- You were discharged due to a disability caused or made worse by your active-duty service.
- You were discharged for a hardship or "early out".
If you are retiring, you are eligible for TRICARE and may also qualify for certain VA health care benefits. If you are separating from service due to a service-connected illness or injury, you may be eligible for VA health care benefits and certain TRICARE benefits. OEF/OIF/OND combat veterans who have just returned from service can receive free medical care for any condition related to their service in Iraq or Afghanistan for 10 years after discharge.
If you are not enrolled in VA benefits or other veterans health coverage, you can get coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Depending on your household size and income, you may be able to get lower costs on monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs on private insurance. You may also qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
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Application process
To apply for veterans insurance, you must first determine your eligibility. 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. You must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty. However, this minimum duty requirement may not apply if you were discharged due to a disability caused or worsened by your active-duty service or due to a hardship or "early out."
Once you have confirmed your eligibility, you can proceed with the application process. You can apply for VA health benefits online, by phone, mail, or in person. If you are applying online, you will need to fill out an Application for Health Benefits (VA Form 10-10EZ). This form must be signed and dated by you or someone acting as your power of attorney. If you are using a power of attorney, a copy of the Power of Attorney form must be submitted along with your application. If you sign with an "X," two people you know must witness your signature and provide their signatures and printed names.
If you are applying by phone, mail, or in person, you can find instructions on the VA website or by contacting the VA directly. You can also work with an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative to assist you in the application process.
After submitting your application, you should typically receive a response within a week. If you have not heard back, you can call the VA hotline at 877-222-8387, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.
Please note that your application may take some time to process, and the priority of your group may affect how soon you are signed up for health care benefits and the associated costs.
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Additional benefits
Veterans who qualify for VA health care will receive coverage for the services they need to stay healthy. Each veteran's medical benefits package is unique and tailored to their needs. All veterans receive coverage for most care services, and some may qualify for additional benefits.
Veterans can receive assistance with non-medical services, such as beneficiary travel benefits, caregiver support, and transportation services. These services can help with travel costs related to medical treatment, provide support for caregivers, and assist with transportation to and from medical appointments.
In certain cases, veterans may also be eligible for dental care, assisted living, residential, or home health care. To determine eligibility for these benefits, factors such as service history, income, and the presence of a disability are considered.
Veterans who are not enrolled in VA benefits can explore other options for health coverage. They may qualify for lower costs on private insurance plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace, depending on their household size and income. Additionally, veterans can explore options like Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for free or low-cost coverage.
It is important to note that VA health care eligibility is determined by basic service and discharge requirements. Veterans who have served in designated combat zones, fulfilled minimum duty requirements, or were discharged due to a service-connected disability or hardship may be eligible for VA health benefits.
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Dependants coverage
Dependants of veterans may be eligible for VA health care benefits. Dependants in this context include spouses, dependent children, and surviving spouses and children. Dependants may also include family caregivers of veterans.
Dependants' coverage includes health care, life insurance, and money for school. For example, dependants may be eligible for money to help cover expenses while training for a job through the Survivors' and Dependents' Education Assistance Program (also called Chapter 35) or the Fry Scholarship. Dependants may also be eligible for Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) coverage.
If you are a dependant of a veteran, you may also be eligible for support to help you care for the veteran and for yourself. This support may include respite care, which pays for short-term care when you need a break from caregiving. You may also be eligible for free resources, education, and support as a caregiver.
To apply for VA health care benefits, you can fill out an Application for Health Benefits (VA Form 10-10EZ). You or someone acting as your power of attorney must sign and date the form. If you’re using a power of attorney, you’ll need to submit a copy of the Power of Attorney form along with your application. If you sign with an “X,” two people you know must witness your signature. They’ll also need to sign and print their names on the form. You can submit your application online or by phone, fax, or mail. You can also go to your nearest VA medical center or clinic.
If you don’t have veterans or other health coverage, you can use the Health Insurance Marketplace to enroll in a plan.
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Other insurance
There are several other insurance options available for veterans beyond the standard VA health care benefits. These include:
Life Insurance
Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is available for all veterans who meet the basic service and discharge requirements. This includes veterans who were exposed to toxins and hazards while serving in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11. VGLI provides guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance for service-connected veterans aged 80 and under. Spouses and dependent children of service members insured under SGLI are automatically covered under Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) at no additional charge.
Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
SGLI is a low-cost group term life insurance program for active-duty service members, including those in the Ready Reserve and National Guard. Coverage can be extended for up to two years if the service member is totally disabled upon separation. SGLI also includes Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI), which provides payments to service members who suffer losses due to traumatic injuries that occur during service.
Veterans' Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI)
VMLI provides mortgage life insurance protection to disabled veterans who have been approved for a VA Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant. This insurance is designed to help veterans with severe service-connected disabilities protect their adapted homes.
Health Insurance Marketplace®
If you are a veteran without VA health care or other veterans' health coverage, you can explore options through the Health Insurance Marketplace®. Depending on your household size and income, you may find more affordable options or qualify for Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
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Frequently asked questions
Veterans who meet 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. You must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty.
You can apply for VA health benefits online, by phone, mail, or in person. You will need to fill out an Application for Health Benefits (VA Form 10-10EZ) and have it signed and dated by you or someone acting as your power of attorney. If you're using a power of attorney, you'll need to submit a copy of the Power of Attorney form along with your application.
You will need to provide information about your service history, income, and any disabilities you may have. Most veterans also need to complete a financial assessment to determine if they qualify for free VA health care.
Yes, you can use VA health care benefits along with other health insurance plans such as private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE.
