The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the organization responsible for offering medical and hospital treatments to people who have served in the military.
These benefits include support programs for mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder, primary care, and specialized care.
Therefore, if you decide to apply for this, keep reading so you know the eligibility criteria and everything you can get as compensation for your years of work.
What does the Veterans Health Administration offer?
This system is responsible for the creation and administration of hospitals and medical research projects. It provides health care to almost 9 million veterans per year.
There are approximately 170 medical centers throughout the United States that have been created and are administered by the Veterans Health Administration.
Also, each person gets different benefits in their plan. These can include:
Standard benefits
Preventive care:
- Counseling on the inheritance of a genetically determined disease
- Immunization
- Physical exams (including vision and hearing)
- Health care evaluations
- Health education programs
Diagnosis and Treatment for inpatient services:
- Medical
- Surgical (including reconstructive/plastic surgery as a result of illness or trauma)
- Mental health
- Dialysis
- Substance abuse
- Prescription drugs (when prescribed by a VHA doctor)
Limited benefits
- Ambulance services
- Chiropractic care
- Dental care
- Durable medical equipment (walkers, crutches, canes, bath seats)
- Eyeglasses
- Headphones
- Home Health Care
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for a health care program, you must have served in the military, aviation, or naval army and have been discharged for any reason other than dishonorable.
The minimum requirements are that veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980, or who entered service after October 16, 1981, must have completed 24 continuous months of work or the entire period they were asked to.
This condition may not apply to veterans discharged for an acquired disability in the line of duty.
On the other hand, the registration system divides people by priority groups. According to the official website, these are the descriptions of each group:
Priority Groups 1 to 3
Mainly service-related veterans, who qualify for disability, Prisoners of War, Purple Heart Medal, or Medal of Honor.
Priority Groups 4 to 8
This group has other requirements generally based on medical conditions, combat status, environmental exposures, and income.
READ ALSO: How to make a certificate of trust
How to apply?
The easiest way to apply for veterans health care is by applying online. Click here and follow the steps.
To complete this form, you will need to have: a recent tax return, your Social Security number and the ones from your dependents, and the bank account number to receive financial support in case you need it (if you already have health insurance, you can provide the same account).
But, if you prefer another way, you can do it:
- By a free phone call at 877-222-8387.
- By mail: download the VA Form 10-10EZ (Application for Health Benefits) complete it and send it to this address: Health Eligibility Center. 2957 Clairmont Rd., Suite 200. Atlanta, GA 30329.
- Or you can also complete the same form and deliver it to the closest Veterans Affairs medical center you have. To find one, click here: Find locations.
After completing any of these steps, you will receive a mail letter notifying you that your application has been approved. This generally takes less than a week.
When you finally end the process, you will receive a VA Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) to use at all VA medical centers.
Does a veterans family can receive health care?
Yes. Most families with an active military member, retired or deceased, can apply for some health care benefits.
This includes children, spouses, family caregiver o any other family member directly related to the veteran.
To find more information about what are the plans and how to apply, visit: https://www.va.gov/health-care/family-caregiver-benefits/.