How to Help Veterans Get Started with VA Health Care Benefits

How To Help Veterans Get Started With VA Health Care Benefits

Many people think income or combat experience is the deciding factor in whether a Veteran qualifies for VA health care. That’s actually not true. Encourage Veterans in your community to seek the VA health care benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

How does a Veteran qualify for VA health care benefits?

If a Veteran answers “yes” to any of the following questions, he or she may qualify for enrollment:

  • Are you currently receiving VA service-connected disability compensation?
  • Are you receiving or eligible for Medicaid?
  • Were you awarded the Medal of Honor?
  • Are you deemed unemployable or catastrophically disabled?
  • Are you a former POW?
  • Were you awarded a Purple Heart?
  • Are you currently receiving Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) services, Aid and Attendance, or other VA pension?
  • Were you exposed to radiation in the military?
  • Did you serve in-country during war or a conflict?

There are a dozen other ways Veterans can qualify for VA health care.

How does a Veteran enroll?

For most Veterans, the process starts with completing and submitting VA Form 10-10EZ. VA offers four simple ways to complete the process:

  1. In Person: Anyone who served in the U.S. military may visit and enroll at any VA facility. If available, the Veteran should bring a copy of his or her DD-214. This will help VA verify his or her honorable service to our country. Find your closest VA facility.
  2. By Phone: If the Veteran prefers completing the application over the phone, he or she may call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.
  3. Online: Veterans may apply online. They must fill out and submit the application for online processing.
  4. By Mail: Veterans can pick up or download VA Form 10-10EZ and mail it to the Health Eligibility Center located at 2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30329.

VA’s comprehensive medical benefits package offers care and services to promote, preserve and restore a Veteran’s health. Services provided include the following:

  • Health: VA offers Veterans health services ranging from flu shots to plastic surgery and more.
  • Wellness: VA offers Veterans a multitude of programs aimed to improve their quality of life like personal training.
  • Foundational: VA offers Veterans supportive programs geared toward community reintegration.
  • Long-term: VA offers Veterans health care options that are rooted in dignity, honor and respect. Programs include home health, residential and hospice care.

For more information on some of the most commonly requested VA benefits and services, see the QuickSeries®guide Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors.