Applying for Care
There are many ways that a Veteran may qualify to receive top-notch VA health care at over 1,400 medical centers and clinics across the nation. The VA has highly trained physicians and clinicians that allow the VA to address many specialties. You may also be able to receive assistance with prescription medication. VA health care is portable. Once enrolled, you may receive care at your home facility as well as the nearest VA facility while traveling. If you are a Veteran, and you want low-cost, high-quality health care, please take a moment to see if you qualify.
You can apply online for VA health care, Community Nursing Home, Domiciliary, or Dental Benefits by completing VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Health Benefits. Be sure you sign and date the application. You can obtain this form by:
- Accessing our web site, www.va.gov/1010EZ.htm
- Calling VA toll free at 1-877-222-VETS (8387), Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. eastern time
You can indicate on the VA Form 10-10EZ if you desire an appointment at the same time you apply. There is no need to wait to request an appointment before your enrollment is confirmed. When your application is processed at the medical center, an appointment will be scheduled for you. You will be notified in writing of your appointment and your eligibility for medical care. For veterans requesting care for a service-connected disability, those appointments have a higher priority (see below) and will be scheduled within 30 days of the desired date.
In order to ensure the availability of quality and timely health care to veterans with service connected conditions, special authority based on military service, low income, and those with special health care needs, in January 2003 VA made the difficult decision to stop enrolling new Priority Group 8 (high income) veterans whose income exceeded VA Income Thresholds.
The new regulations went into effect on June 15, 2009 and enable the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to relax income restrictions on enrollment for health benefits. While this new provision does not remove consideration of income, it does increase income thresholds. You may be eligible for enrollment under this new provision.
For more information:
A Financial Calculator is available to help Veterans determine their potential eligibility for VA health care services under the new regulations.
VA will provide you priority access to care if you are a veteran who:
- Needs care of a service-connected disability or
- Are 50 percent service-connected or higher and need care for any condition.
In this case, VA will schedule you for a primary care evaluation within 30 days of the desired date. If your outpatient appointment cannot be scheduled within this timeframe, VA will arrange to have you seen within 30 days at another VA health care facility or obtain the services on a fee basis, under a sharing agreement or contract at the VA’s expense.
All other veterans will be scheduled for a Primary Care appointment as soon as one becomes available.
Long Term Care benefits provide long-term care services, including community nursing home care, domiciliary care, adult day health care, geriatric evaluation, and respite care.
Nonservice-connected and zero percent service-connected enrolled veterans with income over the single pension rate will need to complete VA Form 10-10EC, Application for Extended Care Services in addition to a VA Form 10-10EZ.
Form 10-10EC is used to measure your family’s current income and assets to determine if you will be charged copays for long term care.
Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability are exempt from long-term care copays.
To reduce processing time, you may submit any of the following:
- A copy of your discharge papers (DD-214 or “WD” form) if you are not currently receiving benefits from VA,
- Military service records indicating that you received a Purple Heart Medal
- Evidence that you received hostile fire or imminent danger pay or a a combat medal after this date if you indicated that you were in combat after November 11, 1998
The new law requires that the VA obtain any records in the VA’s possession, or within any other Federal agency. The law also mandates the VA tell the claimant what evidence is needed to support their claim. The VA now must make several efforts to obtain any evidence identified by the claimant.
By law, the burden of proof falls on the veteran or dependent. Even though the VA is now required to look for evidence, this may take many months. You can help your claim and speed up the process if you can obtain supporting evidence.
Evidence can be any number of items:
- The veteran’s statements, especially those of combat veterans claiming a "combat related" injury or illness
- Statements from friends, relatives or anyone that has knowledge of your disability and its relationship to service
- Medical evidence
Any lay statements must fit certain criteria and are not always helpful. Some can be harmful to your claim. You should discuss any statements with your veterans representative before submitting it to the VA.
If you need assistance completing the form, contact:
You or the person acting as your Power of Attorney must sign and date the form.
If your Power of Attorney signs and dates the form you must submit a copy of the Power of Attorney with the form.
If you sign with an “X,” then two people that you know must witness you as you sign the form. They must also sign and print their names on the form.
Mail the original application with a copy of your supporting materials to your local VA health care facility.
Once your application for enrollment in VA health care system is processed, VA will send you a letter informing you of your enrollment Priority Group assignment and whether you were enrolled.
The letter will also give you instructions on how to appeal the decision if you do not agree with it.
Veterans who are enrolled will remain enrolled without having to reapply for benefit annually. However, some veterans will need to update their financial information yearly to keep their enrollment priority current. VA will contact these veterans when it is time to update their financial information.
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