The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers VA health care benefits to former service members who meet the eligibility requirements. The country takes care of veteran health care issues for those who served in the military armed forces. Meeting the VA health care eligibility requirements will open the door for veterans to receive affordable health insurance options for themselves and obtain VA health insurance for family members as well. All applicants seeking a VA healthcare insurance plan should understand how to apply for VA health care coverage for themselves and their family. A veteran can enroll in VA health care benefits in different ways, which is why it is important to learn about the application process first. To find out more information regarding the benefits of VA health care and enrolling in coverage, continue reading below.

What are the VA health care benefits available to approved applicants?

The VA health care benefits available to approved veterans can range depending on the need of the veteran. Most veteran health care issues can be addressed by VA health insurance plans, as they provide a broad spectrum of medical care to veterans. A VA healthcare insurance plan will cover surgical and rehabilitative care including plans that are geared toward specific conditions and illnesses. Information about the health care services available to veterans is beneficial to former service members who need assistance obtaining affordable and quality medical coverage. Some of the primary benefits of VA health care include the following:

• Comprehensive dental benefits
• Vision care
• Mental health care
• Assisted living
• Home health services

In addition to veteran health care plans, VA health insurance options for family members are available as well. VA health care can cover certain eligible dependents including family members of a veteran who has died or was seriously injured in the line of duty.

Meeting the VA health care eligibility requirements will make a difference in the type of benefits an applicant will receive. Benefits of VA health care are fitted to the former service member. This means if the veteran needs and qualifies for home health care or mental health treatments, then he or she will receive them.

To find out more information regarding VA health insurance, download our helpful guide today.

What are the VA health care requirements?

Understanding the VA health care eligibility requirements is the first step to beginning the VA health care application process. The primary requirement to enroll in VA health care is being classified as a veteran. A veteran is a person who served in the active military service and who was discharged or separated from service under conditions other than dishonorable. This is the most important veteran health care eligibility requirement that must be met to avoid being denied benefits. Other eligibility qualifications include meeting the minimum duty requirements, serving a set number of continuous months or the full period in which a veteran was called to active duty. Also, there are additional enhanced eligibility requirements that certain veterans can be afforded when enrolling in VA health benefits. These include a veteran who was a former Prisoner of War, who received VA pension, who received a Purple Heart Medal and more. Enhanced eligibility for VA health care can often aid in approving veteran applicants. To find out more about the VA health care requirements, download our guide today.

VA health benefits eligibility income requirements do not play as important of a roll in approval as one might assume. Income eligibility for VA health care is not as important as a veteran’s history within the service or duty requirements. However, a veteran may also be eligible for Medicaid if he or she has a low income. Likewise, former service members may enroll in Medicare if they meet the minimum age requirements or qualify under a disability.

How to Apply for VA Health Care

Learning how to apply for VA health care benefits means choosing a way to submit the application. The VA health care application process includes four ways in which a veteran can apply: online, in person, by phone or by mail. Depending on the way a veteran chooses to apply for a VA healthcare insurance plan, the steps to complete the process will vary. For instance, applying for VA health benefits online is often the recommended option, as it is the simplest and most straightforward way. An applicant will simply create an account and fill out the necessary prompts online. For those veterans who are already signed into the VA website, part of the application will be pre-filled based on account details. The online VA health care application process can be saved and completed within 60 days of the start date.

Applying for benefits of VA health care in person involves visiting the nearest VA medical center or clinic with the necessary documents. To apply for VA health care by phone, veterans will need to call during specified hours and speak to a representative. Enrolling in VA benefits in person or via phone is helpful for elderly residents who have other questions about health care programs like Medicare. Applying for veteran health insurance benefits by mail involves printing out and completing the VA Form 10-10EZ, to mail to the designated location. In each of these methods of submitting a veteran health care application, gathering the necessary documents is recommended. A few of the most common documents needed to apply for VA health care will include the most recent tax return, Social Security Numbers for the applicant and qualified dependents and account numbers for any current health insurance policies already in place.