Can you go to the VA if you have health insurance?

If you have other forms of health care coverage, such as a private insurance plan, Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE, you can continue to use VA along with these plans.

How do I know if I am enrolled in VA health care?

You may also call us toll free to verify your enrollment at 1-877-222- VETS (8387) Monday – Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET.

Are all veterans eligible for medical benefits?

Veterans generally must be enrolled to receive VA health care. Enrollment assures Veterans that comprehensive health care services are available when they are needed. If you served in the active military service and were separated under any condition other than dishonorable, you may qualify for VA health care benefits.

Do you have to have health insurance with VA?

Being signed up for VA health care meets your Affordable Care Act health coverage requirement of having “minimum essential health coverage.” You don’t need any other insurance to meet this requirement. We’ll update this site if the ACA changes with new laws. Learn more about the ACA, VA, and you

When do you get free health care from the VA?

If you’re an OEF/OIF/OND combat Veteran who has just returned from service, you can receive free medical care for any condition related to your service in Iraq or Afghanistan for 5 years after discharge. If I can’t get VA health care benefits, how else can I get health insurance?

What happens when you apply for VA health care?

More about VA health care eligibility. When you apply for VA health care, you’ll be assigned 1 of 8 priority groups. This system helps to make sure that Veterans who need immediate care can get signed up quickly.

Is the VA providing health care for family members?

We don’t normally provide care for Veterans’ family members. So, if you drop your private insurance plan, your family may not have health coverage. We don’t know if Congress will provide enough funding in future years for us to care for all Veterans who are signed up for VA health care.

Is the VA required to have health insurance?

VA is required, by law, to bill private health insurance providers for medical care, supplies and prescriptions provided for treatment of Veterans’ nonservice-connected conditions.

Can a veteran still get health care if they have private insurance?

Most veterans who have private health insurance with significant co-pays – especially for expensive treatments like chemotherapy – are looking for alternatives to get their treatments paid for by the VA. But because of rules that changed in 2003, veterans are no longer eligible for VA Health Care because of their veteran status.