How to apply for VA Health Care

Who it's for

VA Health Care covers primary care, specialty care, mental health, hospital stays, prescriptions, and preventive services at the nationwide network of VA medical centers and community-based outpatient clinics. Most veterans with an other-than-dishonorable discharge are eligible to enroll. After enrollment the VA assigns the veteran a Priority Group (1 through 8) based on service-connected disability rating, special circumstances (former POW, Purple Heart, catastrophic disability), and income relative to the geographic-means-test threshold. Priority Groups 1 through 5 receive most care at no cost; higher priority groups pay copays that are still well below typical Medicare and private-insurance cost-sharing. VA Health Care does not replace Medicare for most senior veterans — most enroll in both — but it can substantially reduce out-of-pocket costs for care received at VA facilities, especially prescriptions ($0–$11 per fill versus typical Medicare Part D copays).

What you'll need

• Discharge papers (DD-214, NGB-22, or equivalent) showing character of service
• Social Security card
• Most recent federal tax return or a recent Social Security award letter (used to assign a Priority Group; not used to determine basic eligibility)
• Insurance cards for any other coverage (Medicare, Medicaid, employer plan) — VA bills these for non-service-connected care
• Photo ID

Where to apply

Renewals

ongoing (no annual re-enrollment; income reported annually to keep Priority Group assignment current)