The VA operates the largest integrated health care system in the U.S., serving over 9 million enrolled veterans. Enrollment is governed by 38 USC § 1710 with priority groups defined in 38 CFR § 17.36. Groups 1-5 pay no copays. Service-connected care is free regardless of group. Under the MISSION Act, veterans can receive VA-paid care from non-VA providers when access standards aren't met. The PACT Act expanded enrollment windows and added toxic-exposure-eligible cohorts.
Under 38 USC § 1710, veterans who served in active military, naval, or air service discharged under conditions other than dishonorable are generally eligible. Eligibility does not guarantee enrollment — the VA uses a priority-group system to manage access.
Certain veterans get enhanced eligibility — guaranteed enrollment regardless of other factors: service-connected disability holders, Purple Heart recipients, former POWs, combat veterans within the enhanced enrollment window, and PACT Act toxic-exposed veterans.
Online: VA Form 10-10EZ via VA.gov. Fastest method, track status in the portal.
By phone: 1-877-222-8387 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. ET).
In person: any VA medical center or clinic. Bring DD-214, government ID, and insurance information.
By mail: download VA Form 10-10EZ, complete, and mail to your local VA medical center.
Each enrolled veteran is assigned to one of eight priority groups. Group 1 has the highest priority and lowest cost; Group 8 has the lowest priority and highest cost.
Under 38 USC § 1710 and the VA Medical Benefits Package at 38 CFR § 17.38, enrolled veterans have access to:
Preventive care (screenings, immunizations, health education).
Primary care and specialty care.
Mental health services including counseling and medication management.
Inpatient and outpatient surgery.
Prescription medications.
Emergency care, including at non-VA facilities in qualifying situations.
Prosthetics and assistive devices.
Home health care and geriatric services.
Women's health services.
Dental care (limited to certain eligibility categories).
Veterans in Groups 1-5 generally pay no copays. Veterans in Groups 6-8 may owe copays for care unrelated to a service-connected condition. Copay amounts are set annually by the VA and vary by service type.
Under the VA MISSION Act of 2018, veterans may receive VA-paid care from non-VA providers if any of the following apply:
The VA cannot provide the service you need.
The VA cannot schedule within designated access standards (20 days for primary care / mental health, 28 days for specialty care).
The nearest VA facility is more than 30 minutes average driving time for primary care, or 60 minutes for specialty care.
It is in your best medical interest as determined by your VA provider.
Community care requires pre-authorization in most cases. The VA provider submits a community-care request, and the VA issues an authorization for the specific care needed.
Under 38 USC § 1710: veterans who served in active military, naval, or air service discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Eligibility does not guarantee enrollment in any priority group — the VA may limit Priority Group 8 access during high-demand periods. Enhanced-eligibility veterans (service-connected, Purple Heart, former POW, qualifying combat veterans, PACT Act toxic-exposed) are guaranteed enrollment.
Apply via VA Form 10-10EZ — online through VA.gov (fastest), by phone at 1-877-222-8387, in person at any VA medical center or clinic, or by mail. Bring DD-214, government-issued ID, and insurance information.
Determined by service-connected rating, special status (POW, Purple Heart, etc.), and income. Priority Group 1: 50%+ rated (no copays). Group 2: 30-40% (no copays). Group 3: former POW, Purple Heart, discharged for in-line-of-duty disability, or 10-20% rated. Groups 1-5 generally pay no copays.
Veterans in Priority Groups 1-5 generally pay no copays. Groups 6-8 may owe copays for care unrelated to a service-connected condition. All veterans receive service-connected condition care at no cost regardless of priority group.
The MISSION Act of 2018 lets eligible veterans receive VA-paid care from non-VA providers if: the VA cannot provide the service, the VA cannot schedule within access standards (20 days primary/mental health, 28 days specialty), the nearest VA facility is more than 30 minutes (primary) or 60 minutes (specialty) average driving time, or it is in your best medical interest per your VA provider. Pre-authorization required.
Yes. Post-9/11 combat veterans now have a 10-year enrollment window (up from 5 years). Vietnam-era Agent Orange veterans and Gulf War toxic-exposed veterans can enroll without a disability rating. Toxic exposure screening is now part of every VA health care visit.