Enrolling for VA Health Care

Enrolling for VA Health Care

Enrollment is the initial step for the majority of the veterans to enter the system of health care by VA. The VA Form 10-10EZ needs to be completed to apply. The application form for health benefits can be obtained from any regional health benefits office, facility of health care or through online at www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010

The veterans who are applying for the VA benefits for the first time are required to furnish a copy of their duty discharge form (DD-214, DD-215 or for WWII veterans, a WD form), which mention dates of service and discharge type. It should also reveal their complete name, branch, military service number and service dates. This service discharge form of the veterans should be placed in a safe spot which is easily accessible to the member, authorized representatives, and close relatives.

The amount of money contributed annually by the Congress to VA determines the number of members that are qualified for enrolling in the program of health care. These funds are limited, and hence, the VA has to set up different priority groups to ensure that certain special and needed groups of members are enrolled first.

Once the application for enrollment is done, your qualification and eligibility will be determined. By your explicit eligibility rating and status, a priority group will be assigned to you. The priority groups are classified into different categories ranging from 1 to 8. Priority group 1 will be given the highest priority for enrollment. In some cases, the veterans might need to pay for copays, which are selected in a particular priority group.

The veterans can enroll themselves in different categories of Priority Group. In such cases, your eligibility will define the placement in the group of the highest priority by VA.

Under VA Medical Benefits package, similar services are accessible to every veteran who is enrolled.

Enrollment Priority Groups

1 Veterans with 50% or more disabilities that are service connected and rated by VA

  • Veterans categorized as unemployable by VA as a result of conditions related to their service
  • Veterans having 30% to 40% disability rated by VA as a result of service.

2 Former war prisoners (POWs) who are veterans

  • Veterans conferred the award of Purple Heart medal
  • Veterans released due to disability which occurred during their service.

3 Veterans rated with 10 to 20 percent disabilities which are service related.

  • Veterans classified under special eligibility concealed by Title 38, 1151 and U.S.C. stating the advantages for disabled personnel due to vocational rehabilitation or treatment.
  • Veterans conferred the Medal of Honor (MOH)

4 Veterans who take help or assistance from   VA for household benefits

  • Veterans who were classified as catastrophically disabled by VA.
  • Veterans who are not related to service and also service related members with 0 percent disability which are non-compensable as rated by VA and having yearly income or assets less than the national income limits as stated by the VA and income limits that are adjusted geographically according to their location of residence.
  • Veterans who are eligible for the benefits of pension by VA.
  • Veterans qualified for programs such as Medicaid to get the benefits for five years after their discharge.
  • Veterans of World War I.
  • 0% service related military personnel who are eligible for compensation.
  • Veterans who are unprotected and bared to radiation of ionizing at the time of atmospheric testing or during the operations of Nagasaki or Hiroshima.
  • Participants of Project 112/SHAD.
  • Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between the period of 9th January 1962 and 7th May 1975.
  • Members of the Persian Gulf War who served from the period of 2nd August 1990 to 11th November 1998.
  • Veterans who served in the combat operations after 11th November 1998, presently enrolled veterans and also the new veterans who were released from their active duty on or after the date 28th January 2003, are qualified to be eligible.
  • Veterans who accept to make payment as copays as their income limits are adjusted according to the GMT of their located residence.
  • Veterans having total household earnings over the limitation of national income of VA threshold and geographically-adjusted income threshold of their located residence. These veterans accept to make copayments.

Veterans qualified for enrollment:

Noncompensable connected 0 percent service and:

Sub-priority a: Enrolled on or after 16th January 2003 and have continuously remained enlisted ever since that particular date and has been placed into this sub-priority as a result of some changes in the status of eligibility.

Sub-priority b: Veterans who have enrolled on or after the date of 15th June 2009 and whose income is greater than the present National Income limits by the VA or 10% or less Income limitation

Eligibility for Veterans enrollment:

Non-service-related and:

Sub-priority c: Veterans applied and enrolled on or after 16th January 2003 and have continuously enrolled ever since that particular date and have been categorized in this sub-priority group due to changes in the status of eligibility.

Sub-priority d: Veterans enrolled on or before 15th June 2009 and having income greater than the present National Income limits by the VA or 10% or less Income limits as the National Geographic of VA.

Veterans who are considered ineligible for enrollment:

Veterans who do not meet the above criteria:

Sub-priority e:  0 percent service-related which is non-compensable

Sub-priority f: Non service-connected

The priority groups are complicated and a few economical thresholds references.

The nature of release from the military that a soldier receives plays an important factor. It is never a problem if the soldier has received:

  • A respectful discharge
  • An ordinary discharge
  • A release under honorable situations

Moreover, if the nature of release is different, the veteran is still qualified for medical care. If you are eligible, you can contact the coordinator for enrollment at the nearest health care facility of VA.

The duration and time of the service are considered for the purpose. There are no specific requirements for the length of service for:

  • Former persons enlisted who initiated their active duty before 8th September 1980.
  • Former officers who started their active duty before 17th October 1981.

All personnel’s must also have 2 years of permanent active duty in the military service.

However, there are exceptions to this as well if you:

  • Called and served as a reservist on active duty. You fulfilled the period for which you were called and were acknowledge a discharge which was any other than the dishonorable one.
  • Served as a National Guard member and was called by a federal governing order for active duty and you have concluded the term appointed and were given an honorable discharge.
2 Comments
  • Stanley Marinoff
    Posted at 21:52h, 31 January Reply

    Want to be enrolled for care. Served in Vietnam conflict.

  • Boyd L Meeks
    Posted at 19:07h, 29 October Reply

    I have hearing aids the number are
    190398042 left ear quit working total have done all maintenance required!! The hearing dr said I had to go thru VA for this to be fixed!! Have called several times a long wait so gave a number to return! No return calls back please contact at 307 747-1234!! Have only been able to use since April!! Thank you

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