Introduction

For many veterans, returning to civilian life comes with significant challenges, especially when trying to understand and access Veterans Affairs healthcare and benefits. According to a Military Family Advisory Network report and a Blue Star Families Military Lifestyle survey, veterans consistently rank navigating the military and VA healthcare systems as a top concern during the transition process.

Yet, despite the available resources, nearly 50% of veterans in the U.S. are not enrolled in VA healthcare. Rural Indigenous veterans, in particular, face greater barriers to treatment and often have the most trouble accessing VA healthcare due to a lack of facility access or extended wait times. However, general unawareness and common misconceptions exacerbate these issues, creating prominent barriers to care that prevent eligible veterans from attaining affordable, quality treatment.

To address this gap in enrollment, the VA continues to expand its policies through initiatives like the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act, which simplifies the application process and expands benefits for veterans and their families. The VA also recently removed a key barrier to care by eliminating the requirement for a VA doctor to review referrals to private care. These changes speed up access to community care and make it easier for veterans and their family members to apply for services online.

Veterans and their families need to know the benefits of enrolling in VA healthcare so that they can make informed decisions about what is best for their health.

Common misconceptions

Misconceptions and myths often steer veterans away from seeking the care they’ve earned. For instance, a common misconception is that only veterans who were injured in service or have service-connected disabilities are eligible for VA healthcare. In reality, most veterans who served in the military and were honorably discharged, even if they weren’t in combat, qualify for VA care. Another misconception is that already having insurance disqualifies veterans from enrolling in VA healthcare. But co-managed care is common, and community and VA providers work together to support veterans’ well-being.

Many veterans also think that they can’t enroll online, with VA research consistently highlighting gaps in awareness about eligibility and the enrollment process. Fortunately, enrolling in VA healthcare is now as easy as going online, clicking on VA.gov, and filling out the VA’s online application. 

The benefits of enrolling in VA healthcare

Enrolling in VA healthcare offers numerous advantages for veterans, and access to more than 1,700 VA medical facilities. Unlike most insurance companies, veterans can apply for enrollment at any time, as VA healthcare doesn’t have an open enrollment or waiting period for coverage. Veterans also have the freedom to use other plans with their VA healthcare, including Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance. 

Here are the top five reasons to consider enrollment:

1. Comprehensive Health Coverage Tailored for Veterans

VA healthcare offers an extensive array of services specifically designed to meet the unique needs of veterans. These services aim to treat illnesses and injuries, prevent future health problems, improve functionality, and enhance quality of life. 

Services include:

• Primary care: Routine checkups, management of chronic conditions, preventive screenings, and vaccinations.
• Specialty care: Access to a wide range of specialists, including cardiologists, oncologists, neurologists, gynecologists, and orthopedic surgeons.
• Geriatric and extended care: Home health services, adult day health programs, palliative and hospice care, and long-term residential support.
• Rehabilitative care: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy, along with support for recovery from injury or surgery.
• Prescription medications: Access to low or no-cost prescription medications, including mail-order delivery. Eligible veterans can also refill and manage their prescriptions online.
• Medical equipment and prosthetics: Access to medical equipment, including assistive devices, mobility aids, and custom prosthetics.
• Telehealth services: Remote appointments and health monitoring for veterans who live in rural or underserved areas.
• Women’s health services: Breast and cervical cancer screenings, pregnancy and delivery services, prenatal and maternity care, and fertility treatment.

2. Proven Better Health Outcomes in Many Areas of Care

VA Research shows that veterans utilizing VA healthcare services can expect better overall health outcomes in many critical areas compared to those receiving care elsewhere.

Key findings indicate that the VA healthcare system excels in:

• Lower hospital readmission rates: Veterans treated in VA hospitals have lower readmission rates for several serious conditions, including coronary artery bypass grafting, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, heart failure, pneumonia, and stroke. 
• Higher quality in non-surgical care: A systematic review comparing VA and non-VA care analyzed 26 studies focused on non-surgical treatment. Of these studies, 15 found that VA care delivered better clinical outcomes than non-VA care, and seven showed equal or mixed results.
• Strong performance in surgical care: Among 13 studies evaluating surgical care quality and safety, 11 found VA surgical care to be either comparable to or better than care provided in non-VA settings.

3. Cost-Effective Care

The VA designed its healthcare to be affordable, and once enrolled, veterans have access to affordable care for life. 

Cost-effective care includes:

• Free care for service-connected disabilities: Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 50% or more receive free health care and prescription medications.
• Reduced or no copays: Veterans with lower disability ratings or limited incomes may qualify for significantly reduced or even waived copays.
• Lower costs than private sector: Even for veterans who do pay copays, VA rates are typically much lower than those charged by private providers.

4. Access to Specialized Services

VA healthcare offers specialized services tailored to each veteran’s needs, many of whom face health needs related to their military service. 

Services include: 

• Mental health services: Individual and group therapy, PTS, depression and anxiety treatment, substance use disorder programs, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention resources.
• Military Sexual Trauma (MST) treatment: Confidential outpatient, inpatient, and residential care for veterans who experienced sexual trauma during their military service. The time or location of the incident or whether it occurred on or off duty doesn’t restrict access to treatment.
• Urgent care access: VA medical facilities and in-network urgent care centers offer treatment for minor illnesses, such as colds, strep throat, sprained muscles, skin and ear infections, and other non-life-threatening conditions. 

5. Support for Family and Caregivers

VA healthcare recognizes the vital role that family members play in veterans’ overall well-being. By enrolling in VA healthcare, veterans can extend benefits to spouses, children, survivors, and family caregivers. 

Benefits include: 

• Financial assistance: Eligible family caregivers may receive monthly stipends, travel reimbursement for attending medical appointments, and access to caregiver support programs.
• Access to health insurance: Dependents and survivors of eligible veterans may qualify for VA-sponsored health insurance programs such as the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) and TRICARE.
• Mental health counseling: Family members and caregivers can also access mental health counseling to support their well-being.
• Caregiver training and respite care: The VA offers training to equip caregivers with knowledge on medical and mental health topics as well as respite care services to provide relief from day-to-day caregiving. 

How to enroll

Enrolling in VA health care is now easier than ever, thanks to a streamlined online application process. And to make the process even more seamless, VA and DoD leadership recently signed a memorandum pledging to streamline VA healthcare enrollment for service members transitioning to civilian life. 

For veterans who aren’t yet enrolled, they can start by first checking their eligibility status. Once veterans confirm they’re eligible, they can fill out an online application and directly submit it through the VA’s website for processing.

After applying, veterans can log in to the VA’s online portal to check their application status. The VA’s website also offers newly released information regarding updates to VA healthcare benefits and services, including medical benefits based on eligibility and priority group, copayment information, and links to other resources such as MyHealtheVet, eBenefits, and the Affordable Care Act.

Once enrolled, veterans will receive a “Welcome to the VA” phone call to answer any questions and provide support. Veterans will also receive a personalized Health Benefits Handbook in the mail detailing all benefit information, copay responsibilities, how to schedule appointments, and ways to communicate treatment needs, among other relevant details.

Conclusion

Providing veterans with the healthcare they need after serving their country is a national responsibility. It honors veterans’ sacrifices, addresses the lasting effects of military service, and affirms the nation’s commitment to those who have worn the uniform. Access to quality and affordable healthcare is a right and shouldn’t be a challenge, which is why, today, applying for VA healthcare is much easier. 

Healthcare not only supports veterans’ physical and mental well-being but also helps facilitate the daunting transition to civilian life. Veterans can take steps toward obtaining this care from the comfort of their homes using the VA’s website.

Mission Roll Call (MRC) is dedicated to strengthening advocacy for healthcare access on behalf of veterans across the country. We aim to ensure that every veteran and their family receive the quality care, benefits, and support they’ve earned through their service. 

Need help applying?

• Call: 1-877-222-VETS (8387)
• Find a VA medical facility near you.
• Chat online or access support