VA Health Care Eligibility & Enrollment

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Beneficiary Travel Higher Mileage Reimbursement

VA raised the Beneficiary Travel mileage reimbursement rate from 0.285 cents per mile to 0.415 cents per mile effective November 17, 2008. For more information on Beneficiary Travel, go to the Beneficiary Travel Benefits Fact Sheet and Beneficiary Travel Frequently Asked Questions.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

The Department of the Navy recently sent letters to veterans who were stationed at the “Camp Lejeune” Marine Corps Base in North Carolina to notify them of toxic chemicals in the drinking water from 1957 to 1987. Veterans who received the letter from the Department of the Navy may visit the VA Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Fact Sheet and visit the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: Camp Lejeune, North Carolina web page. For more information, call the Department of the Navy toll-free at (877) 261-9782.

VA Notice to Health Care Providers

The Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration provides notice that effective with dates of service on and after January 1, 2009 payment for laboratory services, emergency ambulance transportation, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) dialysis treatment not purchased by contract will be based upon the applicable Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) fee schedules.

Reference: Title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, 17.56

Overview

VA provides a Medical Benefits Package, a standard enhanced health benefits plan available to all enrolled veterans. This plan emphasizes preventive that primary care that offers a full range of outpatient and inpatient services within VA health care system.

VA maintains an annual enrollment system to manage the provision of quality hospital and outpatient medical care and treatment to all enrolled veterans. A priority system ensures that veterans with service-connected disabilities and those below the low-income threshold are able to be enrolled in VA’s health care system.

Benefits on the Go

VA enrollment allows health care benefits to become portable throughout the entire VA system. Enrolled veterans who are traveling or who spend time away from their primary treatment facility may obtain care at any VA health care facility across the country without the worry of having to reapply.

All Veterans are Potentially Eligible

• Eligibility for most veterans’ health care benefits is based solely on active military service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard (or Merchant Marines during WW II), and discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
• Reservists and National Guard members who were called to active duty by a Federal Executive Order may qualify for VA health care benefits. Returning service members, including Reservists and National Guard members who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations have special eligibility for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for five years following discharge from active duty.
• Health Care eligibility is not just for those who served in combat.
• Other groups may be eligible for some health benefits.
• Veteran’s health care is not just for service-connected injuries or medical conditions.
• Veteran’s health care facilities are not just for men only. VA offers full-service health care to women veterans.

Click here to get started in determining your eligibility for VA health care benefits or click on a menu button to the left to learn about specific programs and benefits.

Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents
VA National Means Test Income Threshold | GMT Income Threshold
Viewers, Plug-Ins, & Readers | VA Health Care Eligibility & Enrollment Site Map

For questions about Health Care Eligibility, please visit the VA inquiry website.