Frequently Asked Questions

While most veterans must be enrolled to receive Veteran's Affairs (VA) health care, some veterans are exempt from enrollment requirements due to meeting special eligibility criteria. If you fall into one of the following categories, you are not required to enroll:

• Less than one year has passed since you were discharged for a disability that the military determined Was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but that VA has not yet rated
  
• VA has rated you with a service-connected disability of 50% or more
• You are seeking care for a VA-rated service connected condition only

If the services are provided for the treatment of a condition that may be related to your military service, you will not be charged any co-payments. This benefit is limited to a two year period following military discharge.

You will, however, be subject to means testing (and co-payments, if applicable) for care of any condition clearly not related to your military service such as a broken limb or a problem that existed prior to entering service.

To qualify for hearing aids and eyeglasses, you must have a service connected disability rating of 10% or more. You may also qualify if you are a former prisoner of war or are receiving increased pension based on your need for regular aid and attendance or being permanently housebound.

To qualify for routine non-Veteran's Affairs (VA) care at VA expense (otherwise know as fee-basis care), you must first be given specific authorization. Included among the factors in determining whether such care will be authorized is your medical condition and availability of VA services within your geographic area.

You are eligible if the non-Veteran's Affairs (VA) emergency care is for a service connected condition, or if enrolled, you have been provided care by a VA clinician or provider within the past 24 months and have no other coverage or ability to pay for the services. Also, it must be determined that VA health facilities were not feasibly available, that a delay in medical attention would have endangered your life or health, and that you are personally liable for the cost of the services. You then have 48 hours to notify hours to notify the VA. As soon as your condition is stable, transfer to a VA facility should be arranged.

You may qualify for beneficiary travel payments if you fall into one of the following categories:

• You are traveling for a scheduled compensation or pension exam
• You are traveling for treatment of a service connected condition
• You have a service-connected rating of 30% or more
• You receive a Veteran's Affairs (VA) pension
• Your household income does not exceed the maximum annual VA pension rate
• Your medical condition requires an ambulance or a specially equipped van, you are unable to defray the cost, and the travel is pre-authorized (authorization is not required for emergencies if a delay would endanger your life or health