Many veterans are eligible for health care from the VA. Like other health care plans, the Medical Benefits Package emphasizes preventive and primary care, offering a full range of outpatient and inpatient services. The following is a summary of the Veteran's Medical Benefits Package:
Veteran's Medical Benefits Package Eligibility
VA medical benefits are generally provided to all enrolled veterans regardless of their priority group.
How Much Does VA Healthcare Cost?
The VA will provide you free health care for conditions that are caused or made worse by your military service. If you have severe injuries or disabilities you may be eligible to receive all your medical care for free from the VA, not just that care related to your injuries. You can also receive more care from the VA if you have an income below certain limits.
If you are a 50% or greater disabled veteran or a former POW, all your medical care from the VA is free. There are other groups that may get some, or all VA medical care for free, see our VA Copay page for details.
Medical Services Covered By The VA
The following is a general list of health care services that are provided by VA:
- Outpatient medical, surgical, and mental health care, including care for substance abuse.
- Inpatient hospital, medical, surgical, and mental health care, including care for substance abuse.
- Prescription drugs, including over-the-counter drugs and medical and surgical supplies available under the VA national formulary system.
- Bereavement counseling.
- Comprehensive rehabilitative services other than vocational services.
- Consultation, professional counseling, training, and mental health services for the members of the immediate family or legal guardian of the veteran.
- Durable medical equipment and prosthetic and orthotic devices, including eyeglasses and hearing aids.
- Home health services.
- Preventative Care such as:
- Immunizations
- Periodic medical exams
- Health Care Assessments
- Health education, including nutrition education
- Screening Tests
- Reconstructive (plastic) surgery required as a result of a disease or trauma but not including cosmetic surgery that is not medically necessary.
- Respite, hospice, and palliative care.
- Payment of travel and travel expenses for eligible veterans.
- Pregnancy and delivery service, to the extent authorized by law.
- Completion of forms.
- Emergency care in VA facilities.
- Emergency care in non-VA facilities in certain conditions: This benefit is a safety net for veterans requiring emergency care for a service connected disability or enrolled veterans who have no other means of paying a private facility emergency bill. If another health insurance provider pays all or part of a bill, VA can't provide any reimbursement.
How To Apply For VA Health Care
You can apply on the phone by calling 877-222-VETS (8387), Mon-Fri between 8 am and 8 pm, Eastern Time. You can also apply online by visiting the VA's website.
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