VA Healthcare Benefits for Veterans
Care designed around Veterans' needs
Understand your VA healthcare eligibility, available services, enrollment options, and how medical care may fit into your broader VA benefits.
Healthcare Benefits earned through service
VA healthcare gives eligible Veterans access to a wide range of medical services through the Department of Veterans Affairs. Depending on eligibility and individual circumstances, care can include primary care, specialty treatment, mental health services, prescriptions, preventive care, rehabilitation, and other services.
VA healthcare eligibility is separate from VA disability compensation. You do not necessarily need a service-connected disability to receive VA healthcare, although your service, discharge status, disability rating, income, and other circumstances can affect eligibility and costs.
If you are dealing with a condition connected to your military service, your VA medical records may also become important evidence in a disability claim.
Who can receive VA Healthcare?
VA determines healthcare eligibility based on several factors. Generally, Veterans who served in active military, naval, or air service and did not receive a dishonorable discharge may qualify, subject to VA requirements.
Other factors can affect eligibility or priority, including service-connected disabilities, combat service, certain toxic exposures, income, and other qualifying circumstances.
Certain Veterans with less-than-honorable discharges may also have options depending on their circumstances, including a VA Character of Discharge review.
Care Designed Around Veterans' Needs
Primary & Specialty Care
Veterans may receive routine primary care as well as specialty treatment for more complex conditions. Preventive services, examinations, vaccinations, and ongoing treatment can also be part of VA healthcare.
Medications & Medical Equipment
Eligible Veterans may receive prescriptions, medication management, prosthetic services, and certain medical equipment when the applicable requirements are met.
Mental Health Care
VA provides mental health services for eligible Veterans, including treatment for PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and other mental health concerns.
Urgent & Emergency Care
Depending on the circumstances, VA may provide or authorize urgent and emergency care at VA facilities or through community providers.
How to apply for VA Healthcare
Veterans can apply for VA healthcare online, by phone, by mail, or in person at a VA medical facility. VA may ask for information about your military service, discharge, health insurance, and, when applicable, household income and deductible expenses.
If you have not enrolled before, the VA healthcare application is an important starting point for determining eligibility and access to care.
Will VA Healthcare cost money?
VA does not charge every Veteran the same amount for healthcare. When you apply, VA assigns you to one of eight priority groups. Your priority group can affect enrollment and what you may pay for certain services or medications.
Some Veterans receive care without copayments for particular services, while others may have copayments based on their eligibility, income, disability status, and the type of care received.
Care related to a service-connected disability can receive different treatment under VA copayment rules.
VA provides specialized healthcare for Veterans dealing with conditions associated with military service. This can include mental health treatment for PTSD and other conditions, care related to military sexual trauma, and healthcare associated with certain toxic exposures.
For Veterans affected by military sexual trauma, VA offers MST-related mental and physical healthcare. Access to certain MST services does not require a Veteran to have an MST disability rating.
The PACT Act also expanded VA healthcare eligibility for certain Veterans exposed to toxic substances and other hazards during military service.
Care Outside a VA Facility
In certain circumstances, enrolled Veterans may be eligible to receive care from community providers through VA Community Care. VA determines eligibility based on specific requirements and the circumstances of the needed care.
Community Care can be relevant when VA cannot provide the needed service in an appropriate manner or when other qualifying circumstances apply.
Your Medical Records may matter
VA healthcare and VA disability compensation are different benefits. However, the medical evidence created through VA healthcare can be relevant when a Veteran files a disability claim.
Medical records may document a diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, severity, limitations, and the progression of a condition. Depending on the claim, this information can help establish the nature and severity of a disability.
Understand your Medical History
Connect the evidence
Review your VA Options
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. VA healthcare eligibility is separate from VA disability compensation and can be established through several pathways.
Yes. The PACT Act expanded healthcare eligibility for certain Veterans who meet applicable service, exposure, and other requirements.
They can. Medical records may provide evidence about a diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, severity, and functional limitations.
Yes. Having other health insurance does not by itself prevent a Veteran from receiving VA healthcare. VA has rules concerning coordination with other insurance.