Alyssa Lane
Veterans in the US have access to health insurance through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA health benefits are available to veterans who meet basic service and discharge requirements and who 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. VA health benefits cover most care and services, and additional benefits like dental care are available depending on the advice of the veteran's primary care provider and the medical standards for treating their health conditions. Veterans can also retain other forms of health insurance, such as private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE, and use these plans alongside their VA health benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of health insurance | VA health care |
| Who is eligible | Veterans who meet basic service and discharge requirements and who 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 does it cover | Most care and services, including eyeglasses or services for blind or low vision rehabilitation. Some veterans may also qualify for added benefits like dental care. |
| How to apply | Apply online or by calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387). |
| Other benefits | Signing up for VA health care meets your Affordable Care Act (ACA) health coverage requirement. |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility for VA healthcare
To be eligible for VA healthcare, veterans must meet the basic service and discharge requirements and have been exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military. This includes veterans who served in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any other combat zone after 9/11. To qualify for VA health care benefits, individuals 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, unless they were discharged due to a disability incurred or aggravated by their service or for hardship reasons.
Veterans who meet the minimum active-duty service and discharge requirements may qualify for enhanced eligibility status, which places them in a higher priority group and increases their likelihood of receiving benefits. Additionally, those who receive financial compensation from the VA for a service-connected disability may also qualify for enhanced eligibility.
It is important to note that VA health benefits are established by federal law and regulations and can change depending on the funding approved by Congress each year. Veterans are encouraged to retain any other health insurance they have, including private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE. VA health care benefits can be used concurrently with these plans, providing comprehensive coverage for veterans' healthcare needs.
Veterans can apply for VA health care benefits by completing VA Form 10-10EZ, which can be obtained from VA health care facilities, regional benefits offices, online, or by calling their support line. Enrolling in VA health care provides access to the country's largest integrated health care system, with over 1,200 care locations serving nearly 9 million veterans annually. VA health benefits cover a range of services, including specialized care for organ transplants, intensive care for mental and physical conditions, urgent and emergency care, and more.
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VA health benefits
VA health care benefits include coverage for regular checkups with your primary care provider and appointments with specialists, such as cardiologists, gynecologists, and mental health providers. You can also access services like home health and geriatric (elder) care, as well as medical equipment, prosthetics, and prescriptions. Some veterans may also qualify for added benefits like dental care.
To enrol in the Medical Benefits Package, you need to complete VA Form 10-10EZ, which can be obtained from any VA health care facility, regional benefits office, online, or by calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387). If you're a veteran without VA health care, you may learn that you qualify for VA coverage by visiting the VA health care website. You can also apply for VA health care benefits online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
In addition to the above, VA health benefits also include access to urgent and emergency care services. Urgent care services are available for illnesses or injuries that require immediate attention but are not life-threatening. Emergency care services are provided in non-VA hospitals, clinics, or other medical settings under certain conditions. The VA also offers mental health services to treat issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), military sexual trauma (MST), depression, and substance use problems.
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Other health insurance
If you are a veteran without VA health care, you may still qualify for health 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 can also qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
If you have other forms of health care coverage, such as a private insurance plan, Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE, you can use VA health care benefits alongside these plans. The VA is required by law to bill your insurance provider for any care, supplies, or medicine they provide to treat your non-service-connected conditions (illnesses or injuries unrelated to your military service). You won't have to pay any balance not covered by your insurance provider, but you may have a copay for non-service-connected care, depending on your assigned priority group.
TRICARE For Life (TFL) is a program that provides health coverage to all military retirees, their spouses, survivors, and other qualified dependents. TFL has no premiums or copayments for Medicare-covered services other than the Part B Medicare premium. It acts as a secondary insurer for services covered by both Medicare and TFL plans. If you have other supplemental health insurance in addition to Medicare and TFL, Medicare pays first, followed by your other insurance, and then by TFL.
If you are enrolled in the VA Medical Benefits Package and have private health insurance or federally funded coverage through TRICARE, Medicare, or Medicaid, you can use your existing coverage in addition to your VA health care benefits. The programs are independent and do not coordinate, so you cannot use your Medicare card at a VA facility as they cannot bill Medicare. To use Original fee-for-service Medicare, you must visit doctors and facilities that accept Medicare assignments. You are responsible for paying all Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance, as the VA does not cover these costs.
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Dependants' coverage
Dependants of veterans may qualify for health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Dependants' eligibility for coverage depends on household size and income, which may result in lower costs for monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. They may also be eligible for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Additionally, dependants may qualify for VA health care benefits through the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). CHAMPVA is specifically for spouses, dependents, and survivors of veterans who meet certain service-connected disability requirements. Benefits may include access to health insurance, mental health counselling, caregiver training, and respite care.
If you are a dependent caregiver of a veteran, you may also qualify for respite care, which pays for short-term care when you need a break from caregiving. Furthermore, if you are enrolled in CHAMPVA, you may be able to obtain prescription medications through Meds by Mail.
It is important to note that TRICARE's young adult coverage rules differ from those of the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act requires individuals to have "minimum essential health coverage," and being signed up for VA health care meets this requirement.
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Applying for VA healthcare
To apply for VA healthcare, you must first determine your eligibility. All 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. Additionally, if you served in the active military, naval, or air service and did not receive a dishonorable discharge, you may be eligible. The minimum duty requirement is 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty, with some exceptions.
Once you have confirmed your eligibility, you can gather the necessary information to complete the Application for Health Benefits (VA Form 10-10EZ). This includes Social Security numbers for you, your spouse, and any qualified dependents, as well as military discharge papers, military service history information, and details about exposure to toxins or hazards. You will also need to provide insurance card information for all insurance companies that cover you, including any coverage through a spouse or partner, and your gross household income from the previous calendar year.
You can obtain VA Form 10-10EZ from any VA health care facility, regional benefits office, online, or by calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387). After completing the form, you or someone acting as your power of attorney must sign and date it. If you are using a power of attorney, you will 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 and also sign and print their names on the form.
Finally, you can submit your completed application by visiting your nearest VA medical center or clinic, or by working with your state's Department of Veterans Affairs. You can also get assistance from an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative. Alternatively, you can apply online or by phone, fax, or mail. If you have any questions or need help with your application, you can call the VA hotline at 877-222-8387 or 800-827-1000, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.
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Frequently asked questions
Veterans who meet basic service and discharge requirements and who were exposed to toxins and other hazards while serving in the military 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.
VA health care covers most care and services for veterans. This includes routine eye exams, preventive tests, and, in some cases, eyeglasses or services for blind or low vision rehabilitation. Dental care may also be covered as part of VA health benefits in certain cases.
To apply for VA health care, you can visit the VA health care website or call the VA hotline at 800-827-1000. You will be assigned one of eight priority groups to determine how soon you receive health care benefits and whether you need to pay for any of the costs.
Yes, you can use VA health care benefits along with other forms of health care coverage, such as private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE. However, the programs are independent and do not coordinate with each other. For example, you cannot use your Medicare card at a VA facility because the VA cannot bill Medicare.
