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Many military veterans aren’t aware they are eligible for VA health care benefits. The common misconception is that veterans can only use VA medical care facilities if they have a service-connected disability rating. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating can use VA medical centers, but health care benefits aren’t only limited to those individuals.
Let’s dispel some of the myths about VA health care eligibility, see who is eligible, and learn how you can apply for VA health care benefits.
Two things to remember:
There may be limitations on the type of health care you may be eligible for, and some medical care may require a co-pay or other associated cost, depending on your VA Priority Group, the nature of your coverage, and the medical care you receive.
VA health care eligibility is based upon active duty military service in the Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, or Merchant Marines (during WWII).
Members of the National Guard and Reserves may be eligible for VA health care benefits if they were called to active duty on a Federal Executive Order (this generally excludes active duty for training purposes). Other groups of servicemembers may also be eligible for VA medical care.
Misconceptions about VA health care eligibility: It is not a requirement to have served in combat or in a war zone. You do not need a service-connected disability rating. You did not need to be injured or wounded while in the service.
VA health care eligibility factors: VA health care eligibility is based on many issues, including active duty military service, type of military discharge, service-connected disabilities, medical conditions incurred while in the service, location of service, and more. You can be eligible based on your service dates, deployments you served on, or other criteria.
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Let’s start by looking at some basic eligibility requirements, based on the VA health care eligibility questionnaire:
1. Are any of these statements true?
Veterans have the option of selecting yes or no.
If you answer yes, you will be taken to the following question: Are any of these statements true?
If you answer Yes to the second question, you most likely qualify for VA health care. You can skip to the section below, labeled “Applying for VA Health Care Benefits.”
If you answer No to either of the two questions above, you may still be eligible for VA medical benefits based on criteria such as your military service or household income. You will need to submit an application for VA health care benefits to learn more based on your specific information.
Important note about household income:
In 2015, the VA eliminated the use of net worth as a determining factor for both health care programs and copayment responsibilities. The VA will now only consider a Veteran’s gross household income and deductible expenses from the previous year.
The VA automatically determines the veteran’s income and deductible expenses by matching records with the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration.
This reduces the burden on the veteran to file an annual income eligibility form each year. It is estimated that this change will enable some 190,000 more veterans to become eligible for health care benefits in the next 5 years. Learn more.
Once you have established your eligibility for VA health care benefits, you will need to fill out Form 10-10EZ or Form 10-10EZR to apply for benefits. These forms are also used to update your current information if anything has changed. There are several ways you can fill out or update the 10-10EZ: online, by phone, by mail, or in-person at a VA medical facility. Here is the info you need:
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You can reduce the application processing time by providing information about your service when you apply. This includes documentation such as your DD-Form 214 or other military discharge paperwork, service records that indicate you were a POW or received a Purple Heart, or records that show you received hostile fire or imminent danger pay or a combat medal.
Applying with for 10-10EZ and providing all relevant information will generally enroll you in the VA medical care system. Most veterans will automatically remain enrolled in the system from year to year. However, some veterans will need to establish eligibility each year to maintain their enrollment priority. This is generally the case for veterans who qualify for VA medical care based on their income or other information that can change from year to year.
Other veterans may be eligible based on returning from a combat zone within the last five years. Enrollment Priority may change based on the date they returned from the combat zone. The VA will contact you when they need additional information to maintain your enrollment priority.
Veterans who are eligible for VA health care are also eligible to receive a Veterans Health Care Identification Card which is used to access VA medical care. These cards have a designation on them indicating a service-connected disability, Purple Heart, or former POW status if applicable.
The only official use of the card is to receive medical care at VA Medical Facilities, but many veterans also like to show this card as proof of military service if they no longer have a Military ID Card or do not have a state-issued ID card with a veterans designation. This card is only available to veterans who are eligible for VA medical care.
Eligible veterans can apply for a VA ID Card at any VA medical facility. They must fill out the 10-10EZ and have their picture taken. The VA then verifies eligibility and sends out the card within 7-10 business days.
There is a different VA ID Card which is available to all veterans. This card is free from the VA, but is not intended to be used for any specific veterans benefits.
Veterans who are not eligible for VA health care should look into other health insurance options, such as an employer-sponsored health care plan, health insurance through a spouse, joining a trade organization that offers health insurance, or purchasing an individual health care plan from the Affordable Care Act Exchanges. This article covers health insurance options after leaving the military.
Ryan Guina is The Military Wallet’s founder. He is a writer, small business owner, and entrepreneur. He served over six years on active duty in the USAF and is a current member of the Tennessee Air National Guard.
Ryan started The Military Wallet in 2007 after separating from active duty military service and has been writing about financial, small business, and military benefits topics since then.
Featured In: Ryan’s writing has been featured in the following publications: Forbes, Military.com, US News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, Reserve & National Guard Magazine (print and online editions), Military Influencer Magazine, Cash Money Life, The Military Guide, USAA, Go Banking Rates, and many other publications.
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It is disturbing how many combat veterans, who are also military retirees, remain ineligible for VA care. Of course, since I am one of them it hits even closer. I want to encourage every veteran and patriotic American citizen to contribute to Army Emergency Relief. Of all military care programs AER is the very best. USAA insures veterans in Alaska at approximately twice the rate of Geico so it’s a no brainer to use Geico unless you’ve been dissatisfied with Geico insurance which is also rather common.
AETNA is the best insurance company in Alaska. The disaster that is code named Obamacare is the worst of all medical insurance unless you are an illegal alien.
Good luck our there fellow veterans and fellow Americans. May God bless you and may He bless America.
my second wife of twenty years has decided to to get divorce and pursue payment from my 90% disability payment no family involved no children.Is she entitle to part of the moneys from my Viet-Nam disability ??
Hello Ivan, I believe VA disability benefits are protected in a divorce. I recommend working with a divorce lawyer that specializes in military-related divorces. They will have the most up to date information and help you understand your rights and hopefully protect your benefits. I wish you and your family the best.
VA disability income is used to determine spousal support, some judges will even raise the amount of disability used to calculate support 25% because disability is non-taxable.
The confusion concerning it being “protected” is the spouse cannot be permanently awarded a percentage they own like they can from military retirement under certain conditions if they were married while you earned the retirement.
I am an Army Veteran and I do not qualify for VA Health Care benefits. I have private medical insurance. Can I choose to use the VA for my health care and have the VA bill my private medical insurance?
Hello Doug, This is a great question. Did the VA provide any paperwork when you applied for VA health care? Some veterans are given a VA Priority Group number, which is how the VA determines the level of healthcare access veterans are eligible to receive. You can learn more about VA Priority Groups. The VA also provides some services regardless of VA healthcare eligibility, including care for PTSD, mental health, and sexual trauma. If none of this applies to you, then I would call the general VA hotline at 800-827-1000, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET to find out what your care options may be. I’m sorry I don’t have a better answer, but VA health care can be unique for each individual and it’s often best to get the answers directly from the VA. I wish you the best and thank you for your service!
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