Health Benefits for Veterans
The Veterans Administration (VA) serves the needs of America's veterans. Men and women who have been in the military service can get healthcare and social support services from the VA.
What is covered?
The VA provides healthcare in over 1300 medical centers in the US. Along with hospital care, the VA may provide:
- home healthcare
- hospice care
- mental health and substance abuse treatment
- prescription medicines
- preventive services such as immunizations, screening tests, and health education
- surgery, including outpatient surgery
- urgent care.
VA benefits do not usually cover hearing aids and eyeglasses. However, these items may be covered if you need them for a problem related to your service in the military.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible for VA benefits if:
- You served full-time in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard.
- You received an honorable or general discharge.
You may be eligible for services that are not standard benefits. You need to apply for them and there are some restrictions. These services include:
- adult day care
- help at home (help with personal care, medicines, or cooking)
- nursing facility care
- geriatric assessment.
A geriatric assessment determines your ability to live on your own, pay your own bills, or perform with various disabilities. The assessment may help determine if you need assistance or equipment to help you function better.
How do I get benefits?
To receive VA benefits you must enroll. You can sign up at any VA healthcare facility or veterans' benefits office.
When you sign up, you are placed in 1 of 8 priority groups. The priority system ensures that veterans with service-connected disabilities and those below the low-income threshold are able to be enrolled in VA's healthcare system. There is no monthly premium required to use VA care. However, if your annual income is over a set amount, you may have to pay co-payments. If you have insurance, it may cover the cost of co-payments.
You may also be able to get benefits for your spouse or children. Enrolling for VA healthcare still allows you to use other sources of insurance for healthcare, such as private health insurance.
For current benefit information, call the VA Health Care Benefits Service Center toll free at 1-877-222-VETS (1-877-222-8387), or visit the VA Web site at http://www.va.gov.
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Published by RelayHealth.
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