Overview
VA health care is one of the most comprehensive benefits available to veterans. It covers everything from primary care to specialty services, mental health, prescriptions, and more. Enrollment is straightforward, but understanding your coverage and priority group is important.
Eligibility
Most veterans who served on active duty and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable are eligible. Key factors:
- Enhanced eligibility for veterans with service-connected disabilities, former POWs, Purple Heart recipients, and those who served in certain theaters (e.g., Gulf War, OEF/OIF)
- Income-based eligibility for veterans without service-connected conditions
- Combat veterans get 5 years of cost-free care for any condition after separation (10 years for toxic exposure under the PACT Act)
Priority Groups
The VA assigns veterans to one of eight priority groups that determine your level of care and copay requirements:
| Group | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | 50%+ service-connected disability |
| 2 | 30-40% service-connected disability |
| 3 | 10-20% SC, former POWs, Purple Heart, etc. |
| 4 | Aid & Attendance / Housebound |
| 5 | Low income, pension recipients |
| 6 | Certain special categories (0% SC, toxic exposure, etc.) |
| 7 | Higher income, agree to copays |
| 8 | Highest income, agree to copays |
Groups 1-5 generally have no copays. Groups 6-8 may have copays for some services.
What's Covered
- Primary care — Regular checkups, preventive care
- Specialty care — Cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, and more
- Mental health — Therapy, psychiatry, PTSD treatment, substance abuse programs
- Prescriptions — Most medications at low or no cost
- Emergency care — At VA facilities and, in some cases, community hospitals
- Dental — Limited (see dental eligibility separately)
- Vision — Eye exams and glasses for eligible veterans
- Hearing — Hearing aids and audiology services
- Women's health — Comprehensive women's health services
- Telehealth — Virtual appointments available
How to Enroll
Online (Fastest)
Apply at VA.gov/health-care/apply using VA Form 10-10EZ.
By Phone
Call 1-877-222-8387 (Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm ET).
In Person
Visit your local VA medical center's enrollment office.
By Mail
Complete VA Form 10-10EZ and mail it to your local VA medical center.
After Enrollment
- You'll receive a welcome letter with your priority group assignment
- Schedule your first appointment
- Get your Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
- Register for My HealtheVet for online prescription refills, secure messaging, and health records
Community Care
If the VA can't provide care in a timely manner or you live too far from a VA facility, you may be eligible for Community Care — treatment at approved private providers paid by the VA. Key criteria:
- Wait time exceeds VA standards
- You live more than 40 minutes from a VA facility
- The VA doesn't offer the service you need
Tips
- Enroll even if you don't need care now — being enrolled makes it easier to access services later
- Service-connected conditions are always covered at no cost regardless of priority group
- Mental health services are available to all enrolled veterans, and you can self-refer
- The PACT Act expanded eligibility for toxic-exposed veterans — if you were previously denied, reapply