HEALTHCAREVA program

VA Health Care Enrollment

Medical care through VA facilities covering primary care, specialty care, preventive services, inpatient treatment, and prescriptions. Veterans are assigned to one of eight priority groups that determine copay levels.

Available with 24+ months active duty (or full period called), or qualifying discharge

Fill Form 10-10EZ View on VA.gov

Step-by-step guide

How VA enrolls veterans: service and priority group

Service and dischargeActive service without a dishonorable discharge. If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, the rule asks for 24 continuous months or the full period you were called to active duty. It does not apply after a discharge for a service-connected disability, a hardship or early out discharge, or with a compensable service-connected disability. Guard and Reserve service counts when a federal order called you to active duty and you finished that period; training-only duty does not.
A priority groupGroup 1: a rating of 50% or more, unemployability, or the Medal of Honor. Group 2: 30% or 40%. Group 3: former POW, Purple Heart, 10% or 20%, or a discharge for a disability from service, among others. Group 4: Aid and Attendance or Housebound, or catastrophically disabled. Group 5: lower income, VA pension, or Medicaid. Group 6: toxic exposure, World War II, Camp Lejeune, and some other service, among others. Groups 7 and 8: based on income, with an agreement to pay copays. VA uses the highest group that fits.
Household income, when it mattersIncome matters only when nothing else places you in a group. VA compares last year's gross household income with limits for where you live. VA.gov has a tool that shows the limits by ZIP code. Under the current rule, some higher-income veterans in group 8, with no rating or a 0% noncompensable rating, cannot enroll.
A signed VA Form 10-10EZVA enrolls from a completed 10-10EZ, filed online, by phone, by mail, or in person. Signing it agrees to pay any copays that apply to you. You can apply at any time.

Which of these fits you?

Enrolling based on service, rating, or income
VA enrolls veterans who served in the active military, naval, or air service and did not get a dishonorable discharge. VA places each enrolled veteran in 1 of 8 priority groups. The group sets what you pay toward care.
Source: 38 CFR 17.36(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.36(b) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 3.12a (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VA health care basics (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VA priority groups (opens in new tab); VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab)
Toxic exposure or combat zone service (PACT Act)
Under the PACT Act, VA enrolls veterans who meet the basic service and discharge rules and served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or another combat zone after 9/11, deployed in support of the Global War on Terror, or had a toxic exposure at home or abroad. No disability claim is needed first. VA can place them in priority group 6, or a higher group that fits.
1. A listed place, period, or exposureExamples VA lists: burn pits, sand and dust, chemicals, radiation, herbicides like Agent Orange, a toxic exposure risk activity on duty or in training, Gulf War service from August 2, 1990, Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days from August 1, 1953, through December 31, 1987, and combat theater service after November 11, 1998, for 10 years after discharge.
Source: 38 CFR 17.36(b)(6) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: the PACT Act and your VA benefits (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VA priority groups (opens in new tab)
Copays and help paying them
Many enrolled veterans pay no copays. Others pay copays for care and medication for conditions not related to service. If your income drops, a hardship determination can stop copays for the rest of the calendar year.
1. A copay exemptionNo inpatient or outpatient copays with a compensable service-connected rating, as a former POW, with a Purple Heart or Medal of Honor, when catastrophically disabled, after a discharge for a disability from service, or when VA finds you unable to pay for needed care, among others. Medication copays are waived at a 50% rating or more or unemployability, for service-connected conditions, for former POWs, the Medal of Honor, catastrophic disability, income at or under the VA pension limit, and toxic exposure care VA covers by law, among others. Care VA gives for toxic exposure under that law has no inpatient or outpatient copay either.
2. A hardship determinationAfter a job loss, a sudden drop in income, or a rise in family health costs, VA can make a hardship determination. It moves you to a higher priority group with no VA copays for the rest of the calendar year. It does not cover pharmacy copays.
Source: 38 CFR 17.108(d) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.110(c) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: current VA health care copay rates (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VA financial hardship assistance (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.108(e) (opens in new tab); VA Form 10-10HS (opens in new tab)

What to gather, and what it shows VA

Documents for this benefit: what each is, what it shows VA, and how VA gets it
Document	What it shows	How VA gets it	Have it?
DD214 or other separation documents Your discharge papers, showing dates of service, character of discharge, and the reason for separation.	Your service, discharge, and length of active duty	Keep your copy at hand when you apply. The 10-10EZ asks for your service history, and VA.gov lists discharge papers among what to have ready.	Yes
Federal active duty orders (Guard and Reserve) The federal order that called you to active duty, and a record that you finished that period.	That Guard or Reserve service was federal active duty	Keep your copy at hand when you apply. Your unit or the National Archives holds service records.	Yes
Deployment and exposure details Where and when you served or deployed, and any burn pit, chemical, radiation, or other exposure, as the form asks.	Service in a place or period the PACT Act lists	These answers go on the 10-10EZ itself. Your DD214 and orders help you fill them in.
VA rating decision letter The VA decision that rated your service-connected disabilities, if you have one.	Your rating, which sets your priority group	VA already holds your rating. You can download decision letters and a benefit summary letter on VA.gov.	Yes
Purple Heart, Medal of Honor, or POW records The award citation or a service record that shows the Purple Heart or Medal of Honor, or records of time as a prisoner of war.	An award or POW status that sets a higher group	Keep a copy at hand. Your DD214 may list awards.	Yes
Last year's household income Gross income from the previous calendar year for you, your spouse, and your dependents, from a job and any other source, before taxes.	Income compared with the limits for where you live	The figures go on the 10-10EZ, to VA, not into BeneVets. You can skip income if something else places you in a group.	Yes
Deductible costs from last year Certain health care and education costs you paid in the past year.	Costs VA subtracts from household income	The amounts go on the 10-10EZ, to VA, not into BeneVets.	Yes
Health insurance cards Card details for every plan that covers you, including Medicare, an employer plan, or coverage through a spouse.	Other coverage VA can bill for care not related to service	The details go on the 10-10EZ, to VA.	Yes
Application for health benefits VA Form 10-10EZ, the enrollment application.	Your request to enroll and your agreement to any copays	Apply online on VA.gov, by phone, or sign the paper form and mail it or take it to a VA medical center.
Request for hardship determination VA Form 10-10HS, used to ask VA for a hardship determination and copay exemption.	A request to stop copays after an income drop	Mail it, or take it, to the business office or health administration office at your nearest VA medical center.
Hardship letter A letter in your own words about the money problems that make copays hard to pay.	Why you are asking for a hardship determination	It goes to the VA medical center with VA Form 10-10HS.

Income, insurance, and service facts go on VA Form 10-10EZ, to VA. BeneVets does not ask for them.

Steps, in order

Get free help from a VSO
Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you.
Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab)
Check the service rule
Check your DD214 for the length of active duty and the reason for separation. If you served less than 24 continuous months, see whether you finished the full period you were called for, or whether an exception applies.
Source: 38 CFR 3.12a (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 3.12a(d) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VA health care basics (opens in new tab)
Gather what the form asks for
Have your DD214, service and exposure history, insurance cards, last year's gross household income, and last year's deductible costs ready. The form also asks for Social Security numbers for you, your spouse, and dependents; they go on the form, not into BeneVets.
Source: VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab); VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab)
Look up the income limits for your area
If no rating, award, pension, or exposure places you in a group, income decides it. VA.gov has a tool that shows the limits for your ZIP code.
Source: VA.gov: VA health care income limits (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.36(b)(7) (opens in new tab)
Apply online
Fill out VA Form 10-10EZ online on VA.gov. You can save it and come back.
Source: VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.36(d)(1) (opens in new tab)
Or apply by phone
Call VA's health benefits hotline at 877-222-8387 and apply by phone. You confirm your answers are true and agree to VA's copay and insurance billing rules on the call.
Source: VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.36(d)(1) (opens in new tab)
Or apply by mail
Sign and date the paper 10-10EZ and mail it to the address printed on the form. If a power of attorney signs, include a copy of it. If you sign with an X, 2 people must witness and sign.
Source: VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.36(d)(1) (opens in new tab)
Or apply in person
Take a signed 10-10EZ to your nearest VA medical center or clinic. Your state veterans agency can also help.
Source: VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.36(d)(1) (opens in new tab)
Read the decision letter
VA sends a letter by mail. It gives your priority group or the reasons for a denial, the effective date, and your appeal rights.
Source: 38 CFR 17.36(d)(6) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: after you apply for health care (opens in new tab)
Take the welcome call and first appointment
After approval, VA calls to welcome you and help schedule your first appointment with a VA primary care provider. VA mails a Veterans Health Benefits Handbook that explains your care and copays. Ask for your Veteran Health Identification Card online or at a VA medical center.
Source: VA.gov: after you apply for health care (opens in new tab)
Ask for a toxic exposure screening
At your next VA appointment, ask for the toxic exposure screening, or contact your VA facility and ask for the toxic exposure screening navigator.
Source: VA.gov: the PACT Act and your VA benefits (opens in new tab)
Check your copays
Look up the current copay rates and which veterans and services have none. Your handbook lists your own copays.
Source: VA.gov: current VA health care copay rates (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.108(d) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.110(c) (opens in new tab)
Ask for a hardship determination
If your income dropped, fill out VA Form 10-10HS and write a letter about why copays are hard to pay. Mail them, or take them, to the business office at your nearest VA medical center. For bills you already have, act within 30 days of getting the bill to avoid late charges; VA.gov lists a waiver, a compromise offer, or a repayment plan.
Source: VA Form 10-10HS (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VA financial hardship assistance (opens in new tab)
Keep your information current
Update your income, insurance, or service history with VA Form 10-10EZR, online, by phone, by mail, or in person.
Source: VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab); VA.gov: after you apply for health care (opens in new tab)
Disagree with the decision
If VA does not approve your application, the letter explains how to request a decision review. If VA plans to end your enrollment, you can send evidence within 60 days of the letter and keep your care in the meantime.
Source: VA.gov: after you apply for health care (opens in new tab); VA.gov: decision reviews and appeals (opens in new tab)

Good to know

What enrollment covers

Enrollment opens the medical benefits package: outpatient and inpatient care, mental health and substance use care, prescriptions, emergency care, rehabilitation, preventive care, and more, when a VA provider finds it needed.

Source: 38 CFR 17.36(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(a) (opens in new tab)

One priority group, the highest that fits

VA places you in the highest priority group that fits. Your group can change, for example when your income changes or VA raises your rating.

Source: 38 CFR 17.36(d)(3) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VA priority groups (opens in new tab)

At a 50% rating

A veteran rated 50% or more for service-connected disabilities gets the medical benefits package even without enrolling. Any service-connected condition is covered for that condition without enrolling. Enrolling still helps VA set up your care.

Source: 38 CFR 17.37(a) (opens in new tab); VA.gov: VA priority groups (opens in new tab)

Other insurance does not change it

Having other health insurance does not change the VA health care you can get. The 10-10EZ asks about it so VA can bill that insurance for care not related to service.

Source: VA.gov: VA health care basics (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab); VA.gov: community care for veterans (opens in new tab)

Toxic exposure screening

The PACT Act requires VA to offer every enrolled veteran a toxic exposure screening, with a follow-up at least once every 5 years. Ask at your next VA appointment.

Source: VA.gov: the PACT Act and your VA benefits (opens in new tab)

BeneVets is informational and is not an accredited representative. Free help: an accredited VSO can work through VA benefits with you at no cost. Find an accredited VSO near you