Medicare and health costs
VA health care
VA health care covers medical care, mental health care and prescriptions for veterans who enroll. Many veterans qualify through their service alone, and some pay nothing. You can have VA health care and Medicare at the same time.
How to apply
- By phone
- 1-877-222-8387
- In person
- Bring a signed Application for Health Benefits (VA Form 10-10EZ) to your nearest VA medical center or clinic.
- By mail
- Send VA Form 10-10EZ to Health Eligibility Center, PO Box 5207, Janesville, WI 53547-5207.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify
| Service | You served in the active military, naval or air service and didn't receive a dishonorable discharge |
|---|---|
| Toxic exposure and combat-zone service | Veterans who meet the basic service rules and were exposed to toxins or other hazards may enroll, including everyone who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan or any other combat zone after 9/11 |
| Minimum service if you enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, or started active duty after Oct. 16, 1981 | 24 continuous months, or the full period you were called to active duty. This may not apply if you were discharged for a disability caused or made worse by your service, or for a hardship or "early out" |
| Reserves and National Guard | You must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period. Active duty for training only doesn't count |
| Income | Not needed for many veterans. If no other rule fits you, you may still qualify based on your income |
| Income limits | Set by the ZIP code where you live |
What you may get
| What you pay | Some veterans get care at no cost. Others pay small copays, depending on eligibility and priority group |
|---|---|
| What's covered | Medical care, mental health care and prescriptions. You may get care from community providers outside VA if VA care isn't available nearby or soon enough |
| Eye and dental care | Routine eye exams and preventive tests. Eyeglasses and dental care in some cases |
| Priority groups | You're placed in 1 of 8 priority groups based on your service history, disability rating, income, Medicaid and other VA benefits. Your group can affect how soon you're enrolled and what you pay |
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| How long a decision takes | Less than 1 week |
|---|
Good to know
- Getting a VA pension, or getting or qualifying for Medicaid, can place you in a higher priority group.
- If you join a Medicare drug plan (Part D), you can fill prescriptions at your local pharmacy. There's no Part D penalty if you enroll when you're first eligible, or within 63 days of losing VA health care or other drug coverage that counts.
- If you received an other than honorable, bad conduct or dishonorable discharge, you can apply for a discharge upgrade or ask VA for a Character of Discharge review.
- You can get help applying from an accredited attorney, claims agent or Veterans Service Organization representative, or from your state's veterans agency.
What to have ready
What to have ready
- Social Security numbers for you, your spouse and your qualified dependents
- Your military discharge papers (DD214 or other separation documents), service history, and details of any exposure to toxins or other hazards
- Insurance cards for every plan that covers you, including Medicare and any coverage through a spouse or employer
- Gross household income from last year for you, your spouse and your dependents
- Last year's deductible expenses, such as certain health care and education costs
What people get wrong
MythI have Medicare, so I can't get VA health care.
Not true. Having Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance doesn't affect whether you can get VA health care.
MythVA health care is only for veterans who were hurt in the service.
Not true. You may be eligible if you served on active duty and didn't receive a dishonorable discharge. Veterans without a service-connected disability can enroll too, and some qualify based on income.
MythOnce I have VA health care, I don't need Medicare Part B.
Not necessarily. VA encourages you to sign up for Medicare as soon as you're eligible. Medicare covers you outside VA, and if you delay Part B, a penalty is added to your premium for good.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Eligibility for VA health care (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, How to apply for VA health care (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA priority groups (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, About VA health benefits (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA decision reviews and appeals (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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