Active-Duty Service Members And VA Health Care

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} </script> </va-breadcrumbs></div> <div itemscope itemprop="mainEntity" itemtype="https://schema.org/FAQPage"> <div id="content" class="interior"> <main class="va-l-detail-page" lang="en"> <div class="usa-grid usa-grid-full"> <nav data-template="navigation/sidebar_nav" aria-label="Secondary" id="va-detailpage-sidebar" data-drupal-sidebar="true" class="va-drupal-sidebarnav usa-width-one-fourth va-sidebarnav"> <div> <button class="va-sidenav-btn-close va-sidebarnav-close" type="button" aria-label="Close this menu"> <va-icon icon="close" size="3" class="vads-u-color--gray-dark"></va-icon> </button> <div class="vads-u-display--flex vads-u-align-items--center left-side-nav-title"> <va-icon icon="medical_services" size="3" class="hub-icon vads-u-color--white vads-u-background-color--hub-health-care vads-u-display--flex vads-u-align-items--center vads-u-justify-content--center vads-u-margin-right--1"></va-icon> <h4>Health care</h4> </div> <div class="sidenav-previous-page"> <a href="/health-care/eligibility">Eligibility</a> </div> <ul class="usa-sidenav-list"> <li class="active-level"> <a class="usa-current" href="/health-care/eligibility/active-duty" id="836695afb2a405afe8d5642798d7d146">Active-duty service members</a> </li> <li> <a href="/health-care/eligibility/priority-groups" id="67c93e74300bf58df978ccb6c5fadd53">VA priority groups</a> </li> </ul> </div> </nav> <div class="usa-width-three-fourths"> <div class="va-btn-sidebarnav-trigger" id="sidebar-nav-trigger">  <div class="button-background"></div> <div class="button-wrapper"> <button aria-controls="va-detailpage-sidebar"> <strong>In this section</strong> <va-icon icon="menu" size="3" class="vads-u-color--link-default"></va-icon> </button> </div> </div> <div class="trigger-placeholder"></div> <script nonce="dhqy5CnTTb2X0vDa9N0WkdrthvdHb3vq" type="text/javascript"> var mobileMediaQuery = window.matchMedia('(max-width: 767px)') var navTrigger = document.getElementsByClassName('va-btn-sidebarnav-trigger')[0] var buttonWrapper = document.querySelector( '.va-btn-sidebarnav-trigger .button-wrapper' ) var buttonBackground = document.querySelector( '.va-btn-sidebarnav-trigger .button-background' ) var navTriggerPlaceholder = document.querySelector('.trigger-placeholder') var navTriggerPosition // Helper to get the height of the nav button, with or without the bottom // padding. 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Your eligibility for VA health care and other health care coverage depends on your service history and other factors.</p> </div> <va-alert data-template="blocks/alert" data-entity-id="17" status="info" class="vads-u-margin-top--3" uswds> <h2 slot="headline" class="vads-u-font-size--h3" id="get-connected-with-mental-heal"> Get connected with mental health care—no matter your discharge status, service history, or eligibility for VA health care. </h2> <va-additional-info id="alert-with-additional-info" disable-border="true" trigger="Get care now"> <div><p>If you need support for a specific mental health problem—or if you’re having problems sleeping, controlling your anger, or readjusting to civilian life—you are not alone. And we can help.</p> <p><strong>To access free VA mental health services right away:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Call or walk in to any VA medical center</strong>—anytime, day or night.<br> <a href="https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?zoomLevel=4&page=1&address=&facilityType=health&serviceType">Find your nearest VA health facility</a></li> <li><strong>Call or walk in to any Vet Center</strong> during clinic hours.<br> <a href="https://www.va.gov/find-locations/?facilityType=vet_center">Find your nearest Vet Center</a></li> <li><strong>Call us at <a href="tel:+18772228387">877-222-8387</a>.</strong> We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. If you have hearing loss, call TTY: <a aria-label="TTY. 8 0 0. 8 7 7. 8 3 3 9." href="tel:18008778339">800-877-8339</a>.</li> </ul> <p>You don’t need to be enrolled in VA health care to get care.<br> <a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health/">Learn more about accessing VA mental health services</a></p> <p><strong>To connect with other resources for Veterans and transitioning service members:</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.militaryonesource.mil/">Visit the Department of Defense (DoD) Military OneSource website</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/transitioning-service/resources.asp">Visit our mental health site for transitioning service members</a></li> </ul></div> </va-additional-info> </va-alert> <va-on-this-page></va-on-this-page> <div data-template="paragraphs/wysiwyg" data-entity-id="7404"> <div itemprop="text"> <h2 id="enhanced-eligibility-for-retur">Enhanced eligibility for returning OEF/OIF/OND combat Veterans</h2> <p>You can receive free VA health care for up to 10 years after discharge or release for any condition related to your service in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation New Dawn (OND) in Iraq. This is called an enhanced eligibility period.</p> <h3 id="we-encourage-you-to-apply-righ">We encourage you to apply right away</h3> <p>If you wait to apply for VA health care until after your enhanced eligibility period ends, we won’t factor your OEF/OIF/OND combat Veteran status into our decision on your enrollment. Instead, we’ll base your eligibility on factors such as your income and VA disability rating. So even if you don’t think you need medical care right now, we encourage you to apply for VA health care right away to take advantage of this enhanced eligibility period. </p> <p><a href="/health-care/how-to-apply/">Apply for VA health care</a></p> </div> </div> <div data-template="paragraphs/collapsible_panel" data-entity-id="7408" data-multiselectable="false"> <va-accordion uswds> <va-accordion-item class="va-accordion-item" id="eligibility-requirements-7405"> <h4 slot="headline"> Eligibility requirements </h4> <div id="7405" data-template="paragraphs/collapsible_panel__panel" data-entity-id="7405" data-analytics-faq-text="Eligibility requirements"> <div id="collapsible_panel_item-7405"> <div data-template="paragraphs/wysiwyg" data-entity-id="7405"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>You may qualify for enhanced eligibility if you meet all of these requirements.</p> <p><strong>All of these must be true</strong><strong>:</strong></p> <ul> <li>You served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, <strong>and</strong></li> <li>You were discharged or released from active service on or after January 29, 2003, <strong>and</strong></li> <li>You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge</li> </ul> <p><strong>We’ll use the documents listed below to determine your service in a theater of combat operations:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Military service documentation that reflects service in a combat theater, <strong>or</strong></li> <li>Receipt of combat service medals, <strong>or</strong></li> <li>Receipt of combat tax exemption, imminent danger, or hostile fire pay</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </va-accordion-item> <va-accordion-item class="va-accordion-item" id="benefits-of-enhanced-eligibility-7406"> <h4 slot="headline"> Benefits of enhanced eligibility </h4> <div id="7406" data-template="paragraphs/collapsible_panel__panel" data-entity-id="7406" data-analytics-faq-text="Benefits of enhanced eligibility"> <div id="collapsible_panel_item-7406"> <div data-template="paragraphs/wysiwyg" data-entity-id="7406"> <div itemprop="text"> <p><strong>If you qualify for enhanced eligibility as an OEF/OIF/OND combat Veteran:</strong></p> <ul><li><strong>We’ll enroll you right away.</strong> We’ll assign you to priority group 6, unless you qualify for a higher priority group based on your income or a service-connected disability. <br><a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="a825daf6-e41a-487d-b1c0-7bcb7a82e0fc" href="/health-care/eligibility/priority-groups" title="VA priority groups">Learn more about priority groups</a></li> <li><strong>You’ll receive free care and medications for any condition that may be related to your combat service.</strong> You may need to pay copays for care and medications that we determine are clearly not related to your military service, but you can submit your income as part of your application to apply for a copay exemption. <br><a href="https://www.va.gov/HEALTHBENEFITS/cost/index.asp">Learn more about how we determine your health care costs</a> <br><a href="https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/revenue_ops/copays.asp">Review current copay rates</a></li> <li><strong>You’ll stay enrolled in VA health care even after your OEF/OIF/OND enhanced eligibility period ends.</strong> We’ll reassign you to the highest priority group you qualify for at that time.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </va-accordion-item> <va-accordion-item class="va-accordion-item" id="eligibility-for-va-dental-care-7407"> <h4 slot="headline"> Eligibility for VA dental care </h4> <div id="7407" data-template="paragraphs/collapsible_panel__panel" data-entity-id="7407" data-analytics-faq-text="Eligibility for VA dental care"> <div id="collapsible_panel_item-7407"> <div data-template="paragraphs/wysiwyg" data-entity-id="7407"> <div itemprop="text"> <p>You may be eligible for one-time dental care for any needed conditions. Be sure to apply within 180 days of discharge or separation. You may also qualify for VA dental care based on other factors. <br> <a href="/health-care/about-va-health-benefits/dental-care/">Find out if you may be eligible for VA dental care</a></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </va-accordion-item> </va-accordion> </div> <div data-template="paragraphs/wysiwyg" data-entity-id="7409"> <div itemprop="text"> <h2 id="eligibility-after-separation"><strong>Eligibility after separation</strong></h2> <p>If you're a Veteran who's recently separated from active duty, including active National Guard or Reserve duty, you may be eligible for VA health care for all or some of your health care needs. We’ll determine your eligibility based on your service history, VA disability rating, income, and other factors. If you had active-duty status for training purposes only, you don’t qualify for VA health care.<br><a href="/health-care/eligibility/">Learn more about VA health care eligibility</a> </p> <p><a href="/health-care/how-to-apply/">Find out how to apply for VA health care</a></p> <p>You and your family may also qualify for temporary health coverage through the Department of Defense’s TRICARE program. If you’re a member of the National Guard and Reserve, your coverage options will depend on your military status before you separate. You’ll have 90 days from your separation date to change your health plan.</p> <p><a href="https://tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Separating">Learn about how to enroll for temporary TRICARE coverage after separation on the TRICARE website</a></p> </div> </div> <div data-template="paragraphs/wysiwyg" data-entity-id="7410"> <div itemprop="text"> <h2 id="eligibility-after-retirement">Eligibility after retirement</h2> <p>You may be eligible for the Department of Defense’s TRICARE program as a military retiree. Your family members may also qualify for care. You’ll need to enroll within 90 days after your retirement date even if you’re already enrolled in TRICARE on active duty.</p> <p><a href="https://tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Retiring">Learn about how to enroll in TRICARE as a military retiree on the TRICARE website</a></p> <p>You may also be eligible for certain VA health care benefits.<br><a href="/health-care/eligibility/">Learn more about VA health care eligibility</a> </p> <p><a href="/health-care/how-to-apply/">Find out how to apply for VA health care</a></p> <h3 id="if-youre-being-medically-retir">If you’re being medically retired from active duty</h3> <p>You may be eligible to receive care through VA for any service-connected disabilities. You may also qualify to receive all other care through TRICARE. Your eligible family members may also qualify for care through TRICARE.</p> <p>To learn more about your options, talk with a VA benefits counselor. Your counselor will help you determine what your military and VA medical board ratings mean and how they affect your options. Your counselor will also help you apply for benefits.</p> <p>Call our health benefits hotline at <a aria-label="8 7 7. 2 2 2. 8 3 8 7." href="tel:18772228387">877-222-8387</a> to connect with a benefits counselor. If you have hearing loss, call TTY: <a aria-label="TTY. 8 0 0. 8 7 7. 8 3 3 9." href="tel:18008778339">800-877-8339</a>. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Or contact your nearest VA medical center. <br><a href="/find-locations/?zoomLevel=4&page=1&address&facilityType=health&serviceType">Find a VA medical center near you</a></p> </div> </div> <div data-template="paragraphs/wysiwyg" data-entity-id="7411"> <div itemprop="text"> <hr><h2 id="getting-started-with-va-health">Getting started with VA health care</h2> <h3 id="can-i-apply-for-va-health-care">Can I apply for VA health care before I’ve ended my service?</h3> <p>Yes. You can apply as soon as you’ve received your separation or retirement papers. If we determine you’re eligible, you’ll be enrolled once you’ve separated or retired.</p> <h3 id="can-i-use-va-health-care-while">Can I use VA health care while I’m still on active duty?</h3> <p><strong>You may be able to use VA health care if:</strong></p> <ul><li>You need emergency or urgent care. We’ll provide care first, and then get TRICARE authorization for care once we’ve stabilized your health. </li> <li>You need routine care and you have a valid TRICARE referral or authorization.</li> <li>The VA health facility you’re visiting has a VA/DoD sharing agreement that allows us to provide care without referrals. For more information about this, please contact your local military hospital or clinic (also called a military treatment facility) or TRICARE office. <br><a href="https://tricare.mil/">Find a military treatment facility</a> <br><br><a href="https://tricare.mil/ContactUs">Contact TRICARE</a></li> </ul><h3 id="what-if-ive-just-separated-and">What if I’ve just separated and I don’t know where to start?</h3> <p>We can help you learn about and apply for VA health care benefits. A member of our Concierge for Care (C4C) team will call you soon after your separation from military service. We can answer any questions you may have, process your application over the phone, and help you schedule your first VA medical appointment.</p> </div> </div> <div class="row"> <div class="usa-content"> <aside class="va-nav-linkslist va-nav-linkslist--related"> <section data-template="paragraphs/list_of_link_teasers" data-entity-id="7416" class="field_related_links"> <h2 id="other-helpful-information" class="va-nav-linkslist-heading" tabindex="-1"> Other helpful information </h2> <ul class="va-nav-linkslist-list"> <li data-template="paragraphs/linkTeaser" data-entity-id="7412" data-links-list-header="About VA health benefits" data-links-list-section-header="Other helpful information"> <h3 class="va-nav-linkslist-title vads-u-font-size--h4" id> <va-link href="/health-care/about-va-health-benefits" text="About VA health benefits"> </va-link></h3> <p class="va-nav-linkslist-description">Learn how VA health care works and which Veterans health care services we cover.</p> </li> <li data-template="paragraphs/linkTeaser" data-entity-id="7413" data-links-list-header="VA mental health services" data-links-list-section-header="Other helpful information"> <h3 class="va-nav-linkslist-title vads-u-font-size--h4" id="-1"> <va-link href="/health-care/health-needs-conditions/mental-health" text="VA mental health services"> </va-link></h3> <p class="va-nav-linkslist-description">Learn how to get started with VA mental health services for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST), depression, grief, anxiety, and other needs.</p> </li> <li data-template="paragraphs/linkTeaser" data-entity-id="7414" data-links-list-header="Health issues related to service history" data-links-list-section-header="Other helpful information"> <h3 class="va-nav-linkslist-title vads-u-font-size--h4" id="-2"> <va-link href="/health-care/health-needs-conditions/health-issues-related-to-service-era" text="Health issues related to service history"> </va-link></h3> <p class="va-nav-linkslist-description">Find out which health concerns you should be aware of depending on when and where you served.</p> </li> <li data-template="paragraphs/linkTeaser" data-entity-id="7415" data-links-list-header="Eligibility for VA disability benefits" data-links-list-section-header="Other helpful information"> <h3 class="va-nav-linkslist-title vads-u-font-size--h4" id="-3"> <va-link href="/disability/eligibility" text="Eligibility for VA disability benefits"> </va-link></h3> <p class="va-nav-linkslist-description">Find out if you may be eligible for disability compensation for a service-connected disability.</p> </li> </ul> </section> </aside> </div> </div> <va-back-to-top></va-back-to-top>  <div class="last-updated usa-content vads-u-padding-x--1 desktop-lg:vads-u-padding-x--0"> <div class="mobile-lg:vads-u-display--flex above-footer-elements-container"> <div class="vads-u-flex--auto"> <span class="vads-u-text-align--justify"> <p>Last updated: <time datetime="2022-11-16">November 16, 2022</time></p> </span> </div> <div class="vads-u-flex--1 vads-u-text-align--right"> <span class="vads-u-text-align--right"> <button type="button" class="feedback-button usa-button" id="mdFormButton" aria-label="give feedback"> Feedback </button> </span> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div></main> </div> </div>  <script nonce="dhqy5CnTTb2X0vDa9N0WkdrthvdHb3vq" type="text/javascript" defer src="https://www.datadoghq-browser-agent.com/datadog-rum-v5.js"></script> <script nonce="dhqy5CnTTb2X0vDa9N0WkdrthvdHb3vq" type="text/javascript"> window.addEventListener('load', () => { // All of the page urls we want to monitor include www.va.gov (production only) if (window.DD_RUM && window.location?.hostname === 'www.va.gov') { /** * Unauthenticated Static pages may be crawled by bots, so we won't initialize * RUM sessions. 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