Health Care

Health Care

VA Healthcare: Who is Eligible?

Veterans: If you served in the acitve military, naval or air service and are separated under any condition other than dishonorable, you may qualify for VA health care benefits.

Returning Service Members (OIF/OIF/OND): If you served on active duty in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, you may be eligible for an extended period of free VA health care benefits.

Active Duty Service members: Active duty service members separating or retiring may be eligible for VA Health Benefits.

Some family members of veterans under certain circumstances are eligible for health benefits.

Treatment of allied and foreign national beneficiaries:

If you are a former member of the armed forces of a nation allied with the United States (U.S.) in World War II, you may be eligible for health benefits.

Priority Groups:

The number of Veterans who can be enrolled in the health care program is determined by the amount of money Congress gives VA each year. Since funds are limited, VA set up Priority Groups to make sure that certain groups of Veterans are able to be enrolled before others.

Once you apply for enrollment, your eligibility will be verified. Based on your specific eligibility status, you will be assigned a Priority Group. The Priority Groups range from 1-8 with 1 being the highest priority for enrollment. Some Veterans may have to agree to pay a copay to be placed in certain Priority Groups.

You may be eligible for more than one enrollment Priority Group. In that case, VA will always place you in the highest Priority Group that you are eleigble for. Under the Medical Benefits Package; the same services are generally available to all enrolled verterans. VA determines your eligibility for VA's comprehensive medical benefits package through our patient enrollment system, which is based on Priority Groups from 1 through 8.

Find a general definition of priority groups

How do I apply for VA health care?

Whatever method you choose, you will need your discharge papers (DD Form 214)

  1. Stop by your Veterans Service Office and they will help you fill out the application
  2. Apply online: Complete VA Form 10-10EZ Application for Health Benefits.
    1. You may request an appointment when you apply for enrollment
    2. You will receive a submission number
    3. You will be given contact information for Preferred VA health care facility
    4. Within 5 to 7 business days you will receive written notification of your enrollment status in the VA health care system. If you are enrolled this letter will provide information on how to obtain a veteran identification card (VIC) 
    5. The letter will also give you instructions on how to appeal the decision if you do not agree
  3. Apply by phone: Call 877-222-VETS (8387).
    1. Complete application with representative
    2. Within 2 to 5 business days you will receive a VA form 10-10EZ, Application for Health Benefits to review, sign and return
    3. Once this form is returned, within 5 to 7 business days you will receive written notification of your enrollment status in the VA health care system. if you are enrolled, this letter will provide information on how to obtain a veteran identification card (VIC) 
    4. The letter will also give you instructions on how to appeal the decision if you do not agree
    5. NOTE: Depending on the volume of calls you may experience a waiting period
  4. Apply in person
    1. Go to your local VA health care facility
    2. Complete VA Form 10-10EZ Application for Health Benefits
    3. They will take a picture for the veteran identification card (VIC) 
    4. Within 5 to 7 business days you will receive written notification of your enrollment status in the VA health care system. If you are enrolled you should receive your identification card within this time period
    5. The letter will also give you instructions on how to appeal the decision if you do not agree