Updating Veterans Affairs Insurance: A Step-By-Step Guide For Policyholders

Veterans enrolled in VA health care can update their insurance information online, by phone, by mail, or in person. To update your insurance information online, you will need to sign in to your VA.gov account. You can also update your insurance information by filling out a Health Benefits Update Form (VA Form 10-10EZR) and mailing it to the Health Eligibility Center. Alternatively, you can update your insurance information by calling the Health Eligibility Center at 877-222-8387 or by visiting a VA health facility in person.

Updating insurance information online

Step 1: Sign in to Your VA Account

Go to VA.gov and sign in to your VA account. Ensure that you have a verified Login.gov or ID.me account. If you don't have one of these accounts, you can create one on the VA website.

Step 2: Navigate to Your Profile

Once signed in, navigate to your VA profile by selecting your name from the navigation menu and then choosing "Profile".

Step 3: Locate the Insurance Information Section

In your profile, find the section dedicated to insurance information. This is where you will be able to update your insurance details.

Step 4: Edit Your Insurance Information

In the insurance information section, select the option to edit or update your details. You will then be able to modify your insurance provider, policy number, start and end dates, group policy number, and any other relevant information.

Step 5: Save Your Changes

After making the necessary changes, be sure to click the "Save" button to record your updates. You may also have the option to "Save and Add Another" insurance provider, if you have multiple insurance policies.

Additional Information:

It's important to note that the VA requires certain types of insurance information, such as health insurance, to be updated using a specific form. The Health Benefits Update Form (VA Form 10-10EZR) can be used to review and update insurance information for all health insurance companies that cover you, including private insurance, Medicare, or insurance from your employer. This form can be submitted online, by mail, or in person at a VA health facility.

Additionally, for specific types of insurance, such as life insurance benefits, you may need to contact the relevant department directly to update your information. This includes programs like Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) and Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI).

Remember to always verify that you are on an official government website before sharing sensitive information.

Updating insurance information by phone, mail, or in person

By phone:

Call the Health Eligibility Center at 877-222-8387 and select 1 (TTY: 711). Phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. You can also call the VA Benefits Hotline at 800-698-2411.

By mail:

Fill out a Health Benefits Update Form (VA Form 10-10EZR) and mail the completed form with any supporting documents to: Health Eligibility Center, PO Box 5207, Janesville, WI 53547-5207.

In person:

You can update your insurance information in person at a VA health facility. Find your nearest VA health facility by visiting the VA website.

Online:

Sign in to your VA.gov profile and update your insurance information there. You can also update some information, such as your address and other contact information, in your VA.gov profile.

Updating insurance information for Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) or Family SGLI (FSGLI)

Updating insurance information for Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (SGLI) or Family SGLI (FSGLI)

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is a low-cost term insurance for members of the uniformed services. SGLI is a group life insurance policy purchased by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from a commercial life insurance company.

If you are a Servicemember, you are automatically covered under SGLI for the maximum amount of insurance unless you reduce or decline the coverage. If you previously declined or reduced your SGLI coverage and want to obtain or increase your coverage, go to the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance webpage and complete Form SGLV 8286, "Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Election and Certificate".

You can also apply online at the SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES) website. To access SOES, go to Benefits, Life Insurance SOES- SGLI Online Enrollment System. You can log in with your CAC or DS Logon as soon as you receive a notice that you can start using SOES.

Family SGLI, also known as Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI), offers coverage for the spouse and dependent children of service members covered under full-time SGLI. Spouses of service members covered under SGLI are automatically insured for $100,000 or the amount of the member's coverage, whichever is less. Military spouses must apply for the coverage. Dependent children are covered for $10,000 each at no cost to the member.

If you are covered under full-time SGLI and your spouse is not automatically covered, use the SGLI Online Enrollment System to apply for coverage for them. To access SOES, have your service member go to Benefits, Life Insurance SOES- SGLI Online Enrollment System to sign up. Your service member can log in with their CAC or DS Logon as soon as they receive notice that they can start using SOES.

Updating insurance information for Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI)

Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is a term life insurance policy for former military members who wish to continue the group life coverage they had while in active service. VGLI offers between $10,000 to $400,000 in life insurance benefits, based on the amount of coverage the veteran had upon leaving the military.

To update your insurance information for VGLI, you can access your policy online through the Prudential Life Insurance Company of America. You can also update your beneficiary information by filling out a VGLI Beneficiary Designation form (SGLV 8721) and mailing it to:

OSGLI

PO Box 41618

Philadelphia, PA 19176-9913

Alternatively, you can call the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) at 800-419-1473 or email the Prudential Insurance Company.

Updating insurance information for other VA life insurance programs

If your VA Life Insurance policy number begins with V, RH, J, RS, K, or W, the fastest and easiest way to update your beneficiary is through the Online Policy Access website. After creating an online account and logging in, you can update your beneficiary online. Your update will be sent immediately to the office to be made a part of your records.

You can also download form 29-336, Designation of Beneficiary and Optional Settlement. Complete the form and mail it to:

> VARO&IC (B&O)

> P.O. BOX 8638

> PHILADELPHIA, PA 19101

If you are assisting a competent veteran with changing a beneficiary designation, the veteran should complete and sign form 29-336 if they are able to. If they are competent but unable to sign their name, they should make a mark in place of their signature. Two disinterested parties must witness the mark and sign form 29-336. The two witnesses cannot be beneficiaries. If the veteran is competent and unable to sign or make their mark, send a letter explaining the veteran's condition.

If the veteran is incompetent, only a court-appointed guardian can change the beneficiary designation. The court-appointed guardian must also obtain a specific court order authorizing them to make the change. Please have the court-appointed guardian complete form 29-336 and include a copy of the guardianship documents and the specific court order with the form.

For information on how to become a court-appointed guardian and obtain a specific court order, contact your state court system.

Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife)

If you have VA life insurance, you can access and manage your policy online. You can check your policy's status, pay your premium, find out about your plan and renewal options, and update your beneficiaries.

To access your policy, go to the VA life insurance portal if you have one of the following policies:

• Veterans Affairs Life Insurance (VALife)—policies that start with a G
• Service-Disabled Veterans Life Insurance (S-DVI)—policies that start with an RH
• Any VA life insurance policy that starts with a V, J, RS, or W

If you have a VGLI policy, you can access your Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI) policy online through the Prudential Insurance Company of America. Prudential works with the VA to provide VGLI benefits to veterans.

If you have an SGLI or FSGLI policy, you can access your Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) or Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) policy online through milConnect. Go to milConnect and select Manage my SGLI.

Frequently asked questions