When you were on active duty, you used TRICARE. You may have received care at military hospitals and clinics or from TRICARE-authorized civilian providers. Now that you're separated from active duty you may only be eligible for health care from Veteran's Affairs (VA).
- While the Department of Defense and VA do have some joint programs and facilities, the VA is a separate health care program.
- If you're retired from active duty, you may qualify for benefits from TRICARE and the VA together.
Visit eBenefits, a secure environment where you can safely access your personal information and perform self-service tasks.
Transitioning from TRICARE to the VA
The VA has benefit counselors and liaisons at the following military hospitals who can help you transition to the VA:
- Brooke Army Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX
- Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Ft. Hood, TX
- Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Ft. Gordon, Augusta, GA
- Evans Army Community Hospital, Ft. Carson, CO
- Madigan Army Medical Center, Ft. Lewis, Tacoma, WA
- Naval Hospital, Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, CA
- Naval Medical Center, San Diego, CA
- Womack Army Medical Center, Ft. Bragg, NC
- Walter Reed National Military Medical Center at Bethesda, MD
Veterans Affairs Links & Resources
Appealing your Service Medical Disability Rating or Eligibility for Medical Retirement
Your separation, retirement and military disability rating is a personnel decision rather than a medical decision. While Military Health System (MHS) providers do the medical exams used by the Services, the MHS does not make the decision on your eligibility. To find out more about changing a Service’s discharge decision, visit these sites: