Health Care | ChooseVA

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flex-align-center flex-justify flex-nowrap maxw-mobile" aria-label="Play video" title="Play Video"> <span class="text-left">Overview of VA health care</span> <i class="fad fa-play-circle icon-right"></i> </a> <a href="https://www.va.gov/resources/the-pact-act-and-your-va-benefits/" class="usa-button usa-button--secondary radius-md hover:opacity-50 display-flex flex-align-center flex-justify flex-nowrap maxw-mobile"> <span>PACT Act Eligibility</span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section>  <section class="usa-section padding-y-1 usa-section--dark" id="main-content"> <div class="grid-container" style="margin-top: -3rem!important;"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap radius-top-md bg-primary-darker padding-1" style="box-shadow: 0px -12px 8px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.24);"> <div class="tablet-lg:grid-col-10 display-flex flex-row flex-justify-start flex-align-center font-heading-sm text-medium"> <nav class="display-flex flex-row flex-justify-start flex-align-center" aria-label="Health Care section menu"> <ul class="display-flex flex-align-center flex-column mobile:flex-row flex-wrap font-body-xs margin-left-1 padding-left-0" style="list-style: none;"> <li class="margin-y-1 margin-right-05 tablet:font-heading-md text-uppercase text-bold"> <a href="http://choose.va.gov/health" class="padding-x-1 padding-y-1 hover:bg-blue-90v text-no-underline radius-md display-flex flex-row flex-align-center flex-justify-center"> <div class="display-flex flex-column flex-align-center flex-justify-center radius-top-pill radius-bottom-pill height-6 width-6 text-center margin-right-105 border-2px bg-blue-cool-50 border-blue-cool-20" style="aspect-ratio:1"> <i class="fad fa-briefcase-medical fa-lg text-white"></i> </div> <span>Health Care</span> </a> </li> <li class="margin-y-1 margin-right-05"> <a href="http://choose.va.gov/health/types-of-care" aria-label="Types of Care" class="padding-x-1 padding-y-1 hover:text-no-underline hover:bg-blue-90v radius-md">Types of Care</a> </li> <li class="margin-y-1 margin-right-05"> <a href="http://choose.va.gov/health/affordable-care-act" class="padding-x-1 padding-y-1 hover:text-no-underline hover:bg-blue-90v radius-md">Affordable Care Act</a> </li> <li class="margin-y-1 margin-right-05"> <a href="http://choose.va.gov/health/vet-centers" class="padding-x-1 padding-y-1 hover:text-no-underline hover:bg-blue-90v radius-md">Vet Centers</a> </li> <li class="margin-y-1 margin-right-05"> <a href="http://choose.va.gov/health/oth-enrollment" class="padding-x-1 padding-y-1 hover:text-no-underline hover:bg-blue-90v radius-md">OTH Enrollment</a> </li> <li class="margin-y-1 margin-right-05"> <a href="http://choose.va.gov/health/family-members" class="padding-x-1 padding-y-1 hover:text-no-underline hover:bg-blue-90v radius-md">Family Members</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="tablet-lg:grid-col-2 display-flex flex-column flex-align-center flex-justify-center tablet-lg:margin-top-neg-3"> <p class="font-body-xs">Share this Page</p> <div class="display-flex flex-row"> <a class="text-no-underline" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http://choose.va.gov/health"> <div class="display-flex flex-column flex-align-center flex-justify-center radius-top-pill radius-bottom-pill border-2px border-blue-cool-20 bg-blue-cool-50 height-4 width-4" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fab fa-facebook-f text-white"></i> </div> <span class="sr-only">Facebook</span> </a> <a class="margin-left-105 text-no-underline" href="https://twitter.com/share?url=http://choose.va.gov/health"> <div class="display-flex flex-column flex-align-center flex-justify-center radius-top-pill radius-bottom-pill bg-base-lightest border-2px bg-blue-cool-50 border-blue-cool-20 height-4 width-4" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fab fa-twitter text-white"></i> </div> <span class="sr-only">Twitter</span> </a></div> </div> </div> </div> </section>  <section class="usa-section usa-section--dark padding-y-2"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class=" grid-row"> <div class="grid-col-12"> <h2 class="margin-top-1 text-thin font-heading-xl">How to Apply for VA Health Care</h2> <ul class="usa-card-group"> <li class=" tablet:grid-col-6 tablet-lg:grid-col-3 usa-card"> <div class="usa-card__container bg-transparent radius-0 border-1px border-white"> <header class="usa-card__header"> <h3 class="usa-card__heading text-thin">Apply <span class="text-heavy font-heading-xl">Online</span></h3> </header> <div class="usa-card__body"> <p>The fastest and easiest way to get access to your benefits is to apply using your computer or mobile device.</p> </div> <div class="usa-card__footer text-center"> <a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/" class="usa-button usa-button--secondary radius-md" aria-label="Apply for health care benefits"><i class="fad fa-edit fa-fw icon-left"></i>Apply today!</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class=" tablet:grid-col-6 tablet-lg:grid-col-3 usa-card"> <div class="usa-card__container bg-transparent radius-0 border-1px border-white"> <header class="usa-card__header"> <h3 class="usa-card__heading text-thin">Apply <span class="text-heavy font-heading-xl">By Phone</span></h3> </header> <div class="usa-card__body"> <p>Call <a href="tel:+1-877-222-8387">1-877-222-8387</a> Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.</p> </div> <div class="usa-card__footer"> </div> </div> </li> <li class=" tablet:grid-col-6 tablet-lg:grid-col-3 usa-card"> <div class="usa-card__container bg-transparent radius-0 border-1px border-white"> <header class="usa-card__header"> <h3 class="usa-card__heading text-thin">Apply <span class="text-heavy font-heading-xl">By Mail</span></h3> </header> <div class="usa-card__body"> <p>Print, fill out, and mail <a href="https://www.va.gov/find-forms/?q=1010ez">VA Form 10-10EZ</a> to </p> <address class="text-white"> Health Eligibility Center<br> Enrollment Eligibility Center<br> PO Box 5207<br> Janesville WI 53547-5207 </address> </div> <div class="usa-card__footer"> </div> </div> </li> <li class=" tablet:grid-col-6 tablet-lg:grid-col-3 usa-card"> <div class="usa-card__container bg-transparent radius-0 border-1px border-white"> <header class="usa-card__header"> <h3 class="usa-card__heading text-thin">Apply <span class="text-heavy font-heading-xl">In Person</span></h3> </header> <div class="usa-card__body"> <p>Visit the nearest VA medical center or clinic.</p> </div> <div class="usa-card__footer text-center"> <a href="https://www.va.gov/find-locations" class="usa-button text-white bg-green-cool-50v hover:bg-green-cool-70v radius-md" aria-label="Search the locations directory"><i class="fad fa-map-marker-alt fa-fw icon-left"></i>Search the directory</a> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="usa-section"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap"> <article class="tablet-lg:grid-col-8"> <p class="measure-6">VA provides world-class health care to eligible Veterans. The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, with more than 1,200 sites of care, and it is consistently ranked among the nation’s top health care providers.</p> <p class="measure-6">Many Veterans may be eligible for VA health care. Enrollment in VA health care satisfies your Affordable Care Act health coverage requirement — no add-on insurance plan is needed. VA encourages you to explore your health care benefits, including the following services:</p> <ul class="usa-list"> <li>All enrolled Veterans have access to VA’s comprehensive medical benefits package including preventive, primary, and specialty care; prescriptions; mental health care; home health care; geriatrics and extended care; medical equipment and prosthetics; and more.</li> <li>Most Veterans qualify for cost-free health care services, although some Veterans must pay modest copays for health care or prescriptions.</li> <li>Women Veterans can receive primary care, breast and cervical cancer screenings, prenatal care, maternity care coverage, and other gender-specific services.</li> <li>Eligible Veterans — and their family members — may visit VA’s many community-based Vet Centers, which provide no-cost counseling, outreach, and referral services to help the whole family adjust to life after deployment. Learn more about <a href="http://choose.va.gov/health/vet-centers">eligibility for Vet Center Services</a> .</li> <li>Combat Veterans who were discharged or released from active service on or after Jan. 28, 2003, are eligible to enroll in the VA healthcare system for five years from the date of their discharge or release, regardless of their disability claim status. Combat Veterans who enroll with VA under this enhanced Combat Veteran authority will continue to be enrolled after their enhanced eligibility period ends, although their enrollment priority group may change. Many Combat Veterans applying after their five-year special enrollment period ends are eligible for enrollment and are encouraged to learn more about <a href="https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/returning_servicemembers.asp">these and other health care benefits</a> on VA’s health benefits page.</li> <li>Access your health care conveniently through digital tools like the My HealtheVet portal, mobile apps, and telehealth services.  Secure messaging, digital appointment management, prescription refills and virtual appointments make it easy to connect with us. </li> </ul> <h2 id="req">VA Requirements</h2> <h3><strong>Military Service Requirements</strong></h3> <ul class="usa-list list--checklist"> <li>Veterans must have served in the active military, naval, or air service and separated under any conditions other than dishonorable.</li> <li>Most Veterans who enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, or who entered active duty after Oct. 16, 1981, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty. This includes current and former members of the Reserve or National Guard called to active duty by a federal order.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Note:</strong> Former Reserves or National Guard members are eligible for VA health care if they have qualifying service (as described above) and meet one of the health care eligibility requirements. Former members of the Reserves or National Guard who only served for training purposes may not be able to establish Veteran status if they did not incur a qualifying disability during such training. Some exceptions apply. Please visit the <a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/">Eligibility for VA Health Care</a> page for more information.</p> <h3><strong>Application Requirements</strong></h3> <ul class="usa-list list--checklist"> <li>Social Security number</li> <li>Proof of discharge papers such as <a href="https://www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/">DD-214</a></li> <li>Any additional health insurance information, including coverage through a spouse or domestic partner</li> <li>Wage and financial information, including previous calendar-year gross income for the Veteran, spouse, and dependent children</li> <li>Medical deductions, funeral expenses, and educational expenses </li> </ul> <div class="margin-y-6"> <a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/" class="display-flex flex-row flex-align-center maxw-mobile-lg usa-button bg-transparent border-2px radius-md padding-2 border-gray-cool-40 text-no-underline hover:bg-gray-warm-10 text-black"> <i class="fal fa-compass fa-2x icon-left"></i> <span class="text-left">Explore VA Health Care Today</span> </a> </div> <h2 id="process">VA Application Process</h2> <p class="measure-6">Applying is easy: Submit an application form and VA will send you written notification of your enrollment status.</p> <ul class="usa-list"> <li>The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is designed to expand access to health coverage, control health care costs, improve health care quality, and coordinate health care. Learn more about Veterans and ACA at <a href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/about-affordable-care-act/">VA’s ACA website</a>.</li> </ul> </article> <aside class="tablet:grid-col-4 display-flex flex-align-center flex-column"> <div class="bg-white shadow-1 padding-3 display-flex flex-column flex-justify-center margin-bottom-2 margin-x-auto"><a href="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Uwx4qZ9qUIE " class="testimonial display-flex flex-column flex-nowrap" aria-label="play testimonial video"> <img src="/_media/img/testimonials/natasha.jpg" class="text-center" alt=""/><span class="font-body-sm text-medium margin-bottom-1 display-block">Play video</span> </a> <p class="font-family-serif text-italic">“Women do not self-identify as Veterans first, but in the women’s clinic … most of the staff are female Veterans.”</p> <p class="font-body-md text-right margin-top-2px">Natasha<br> Army Veteran<br> OEF/OIF</p> </div> <div class="usa-accordion usa-accordion--bordered bg-white shadow-1 ">  <h2 class="usa-accordion__heading"> <button class="usa-accordion__button usa-accordion__button--primary-darkest" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="help"> Get Help with Applications and Claims </button> </h2> <div id="help" class="usa-accordion__content font-body-md bg-white"> <h3 class="font-heading-sm">Application Assistance</h3> <ul class="usa-list usa-list--unstyled"> <li> <div class="display-flex flex-column flex-nowrap flex-justify-center"> <a href="https://www.va.gov/find-locations"> <img src="/_media/img/bg/bg-location-link.png" alt=""> <span class="display-block">Find VA benefits offices</span></a> </div> </li> <li class="margin-top-05"><a href="https://www.va.gov/statedva.htm">State Veterans Affairs Directors</a></li> <li class="margin-top-05"><a href="https://www.nacvso.org/directory/directory_5.aspx" class="usa-link--external">County Veterans Service Officers</a></li> <li class="margin-top-05"><a href="https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/about/feature?feature=request-vso-representative">Accredited Veterans Service Organizations</a></li> </ul> <h3 class="font-heading-sm">Documents </h3> <ul class="usa-list"> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-10-10ez/">VA Form 10-10EZ</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-10-10cg/">VA Form 10-10CG</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-10-10ec/">VA Form 10-10EC</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </aside> </div> </div> </section> <script> $('.intro-video-modal').modaal({ type: 'video', }); 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Consult the <a href="https://www.va.gov/getstarted/">VA benefits booklet</a> or visit the <a href="https://www.va.gov/find-locations">nearest VA regional office</a> for character of discharge requirements and more detailed information.</p> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="usa-section text-center padding-3"> <div class="grid-container"> <p class="font-sans-3xs">Page last updated on June 26, 2024</p> </div> </section> </main> <footer class="usa-footer"> <div class="usa-footer__secondary-section"> <div class="grid-container"> <div class="grid-row grid-gap"> <div class=" grid-row tablet:grid-col-6 tablet:grid-gap-2"> <div class="mobile-lg:grid-col-auto display-flex flex-column flex-justify-center"> <a href="https://www.va.gov"><img class="width-mobile maxw-mobile" src="/_media/img/seals/va-color-seal-black-text.png" alt="United States Department of Veterans Affairs"></a> </div> </div> <div class="usa-footer__contact-links tablet:grid-col-6"> <div 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