Covering The Basics When It Comes To Accessing VA Health Care

If you’re a transitioning service member or Veteran, you may have the option of applying for health care benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). You’d join around 9 million Veterans who already access care through VA’s Veterans Health Administration, which delivers services at more than 170 VA medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care.

Deciding on the best health care program for you and your family is not easy, even though studies show that VA hospitals provide care that is competitive with or even outperforms private health care in certain markets (https://rly.pt/35kmdRU). Factors impacting your decision to enroll may relate to coverage and costs, which VA generally determines based on your service history, disability rating, income level and receipt of other benefits.

Keep these considerations in mind as you weigh your options:

1. Check out services available right now — possibly for free.

• Enhanced eligibility coverage period. Free health care is available to you for up to five years for health conditions related to service in Operating Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation New Dawn (OND). Act right away to access this benefit after discharge or release. If you wait, VA bases enrollment decisions on factors related to income and disability rating. The benefits of using enhanced eligibility include immediate enrollment, free combat-related care and medications, and remaining enrolled in VA health care after the five years. Details: http://rly.pt/35kwxJy.

• Mental health care. You can access mental health care from VA, no matter your discharge status, service history, or eligibility for or enrollment in VA health care. Walk into any VA or Vet Center or call [login to see] . Details: http://rly.pt/3seomIO.

• Dental care. VA dental care services are available through 200 clinics, but accessing these benefits is highly dependent on your circumstances. For instance, one-time dental benefits may be available to you if you apply within 180 days of discharge or separation from service of more than 90 days in the Persian Gulf War era. Dental care is also available if you meet other criteria or qualify for other benefits, such as Veteran Readiness and Employment. However, if you enroll in VA health care, you may qualify for less expensive dental insurance through the VA Dental Insurance Program. Details: http://rly.pt/2MJ9Qsd.

2. Know what’s covered and how eligibility is determined.

• Covered services. Depending on your circumstances, VA health care covers assisted living; dental, eye and hearing services; health and nutrition education; genetic counseling; immunizations, including for COVID-19; home health care; geriatrics and extended care; medical equipment, prosthetics and rehabilitation; mental health care; prescription drugs; preventative and primary care; services for women, including breast and cervical cancer screenings, prenatal care, maternity care coverage and gender-specific exams; surgeries, dialysis, organ transplants, intensive and inpatient care; and more. Details: http://rly.pt/38pyjuW.

• Priority groups. Applications for VA health care are prioritized across eight groups based on factors such as service history, disability rating, income and other factors. Your group determines the pace of the sign-up process and whether and how much you need to pay toward the cost of care. If you qualify for enhanced eligibility, for instance, you’re assigned to Group 6. Then, after this enrollment period ends, you are put in the next highest priority group. Details: http://rly.pt/3s3zLLc.

• Concierge for Care team. If you have just separated from the military, you should receive a call from VA’s Concierge for Care team to talk through health care benefits, how to move from TRICARE to VA and even schedule initial appointments. Details: http://rly.pt/3hQv42T.

3. Explore other aspects of VA health care.

• Accessing community care. If you’re enrolled in VA health care or are otherwise eligible, you may be able to access care in the community from a non-VA provider, with VA approval. Details: Review this process at http://rly.pt/3hQv42T.

• Using VA health care with other insurance. You can use VA health care benefits even if you have private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE or tribal health care or belong to the Indian Health Service. Details: http://rly.pt/2Xk0eGf.

• Upgrading discharge status. If you have an other than honorable discharge, bad conduct or dishonorable discharge status, you may find it hard to access VA benefits. However, there are options to apply for discharge upgrades or benefits even with so-called bad paper. Many state, county or local Veteran service officers or the equivalent national agents can help you file appeals. VA offers two additional routes to appeal, based on discharge circumstances or through the Character of Discharge review process. Details: Visit the Discharge Upgrade page at http://rly.pt/35mFqlV and the Character of Discharge page at http://rly.pt/39qEvSX.

4. Learn more. Get help navigating these benefits by consulting with your national, state, county or local Veterans service officer (VSO). Find these individuals through your state Veterans’ affairs office or a VA regional benefit office. Locate these contacts and other resources below:

• Apply for VA health care and check the status of your application: http://rly.pt/3q0gloY.

• Check how quickly you can be seen at the nearest VA facility: http://rly.pt/3pWN52g.

• Compare VA health care to other health care: http://rly.pt/35jDn28.

• Find your state’s office of Veterans’ affairs: http://rly.pt/3fv3Uvu.

• Locate a VSO at VA’s regional benefit offices: http://rly.pt/2LxWhuR.

• Review much more about VA health care: http://rly.pt/3pTNz9a and http://rly.pt/38pyjuW.

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If you are a Veteran in crisis or are concerned about one, reach the Veterans Crisis Line by calling [login to see] and pressing 1, texting 838255 or chatting online (http://rly.pt/3prhAxH).