Enrolling in VA Health Care | VA Form 10-10EZ | Health Care for Veterans | theSITREP

In this episode of theSITREP, Jim discusses the process for enrolling in VA health care. For additional information and to see which benefits you or your family may qualify, visit the web links below.

Need an immediate answer or help with a situation regarding VA benefits? Call, 24/7, at 1-800-MyVA411 (698-2411)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information enrolling in VA health care, visit:

For VA Form 10-10EZ, visit:

ABOUT VA
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is comprised of three different administrations:

(1) Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Provides health care at 1,298 facilities, including 171 hospitals and 1,113 outpatient clinics, serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.

(2) Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) - Provides a variety of benefits and services for Service Members, Veterans, and their families including compensation, pension and fiduciary, insurance, education, loan guaranty, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and more.

(3) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) - Provides burial space for Veterans and their eligible family members, and maintains national cemeteries as national shrines, sacred to the honor and memory of those interred or memorialized there.

DISCLAIMER: The Department of Veterans Affairs does not endorse or officially sanction any entities that may be discussed in this video, nor any media, products, or services they may provide.

#theSITREP #VetResources #VAdisability

[peteparadissis]

I have all my Brothers and Sisters on this site in my Prayers!

[charlesgoodman]

Income amount is bullshit it shouldn't matter how much money you make veterans should be taken care for life regardless of income

[JRKenworthy]

I applied. Got accepted. I've saw the doctor for over a year. Then I was told that I make to much money and therefore didn't qualify. All of my appointments and prescriptions were canceled. So if you make a good income, don't even bother applying.

[SeeMediaLLC]

Thank you so much, I enrolled on line, should have done that in 1992!

[homespunware]

Based on comments many don’t understand how “VA Priority Groups” work. VA Healthcare is not an entitlement eligible for all veterans. Even when you do qualify, there are 8 levels of “Priority Groups” based on validation. Some who served don’t fall into any “Priority Group” and thus not even eligible because they aren’t considered veterans by VA rules - depending on the type of duty served and where. Regardless, vets need to understand that the VA’s first priority will always be “service connected” medical issues and disabilities. Even those with disability priority have ratings which place each in a specific tiered “Eligibility Group” which then determines the specific level of benefits authorized.

The following explains the main reason for most of the confusion... When their budget allows the VA will loosen the lower tier rules. This can temporarily open eligibility to all vets as a benefit they can use like regular insurance, even without a rated disability. However, depending on their income bracket they may have a co-pay. I repeat, the lower tiers eligibility requirements will constantly change from year-to-year due to budgetary constraints. Meaning - one year a low priority vet might be eligible and the next year may not. Even then, one vet may have to pay a co-pay and another lower-income does not, etc. These constant changes cause much confusion in the lower tiers. Some tiers go away completely and then years later return under bigger budgets authorized by new congressional law, like the PACT Act.

Even when you are eligible, they’ll try to say you are not. I never applied for anything VA except education once. Years later I got a VA letter saying their records indicate I’m automatically pre-qualified for VA Health Care due to my service time in a specific “Combat Zone” in the Middle East. The letter encouraged me to sign up even if I have other healthcare (which I do), because this was a limited-time special enrollment period. But once enrolled, it’s for life. So I figure why not, I’ve got nothing to lose.

I filled out their application and was immediately denied. So I called their help desk and the woman explained “Veteran” has a specific definition within the VA and it’s not just because one served. She said the type of call-up, order title, and region decides “Veteran” status. Moreover, to be qualified as a “Combat Veteran” is an even higher standard (of course).

I asked why then did the VA send me the invitation letter saying I qualified as a “Combat Veteran” for automatic VA Healthcare? She said it was a mistake and tried to move me along. I told her the problem is I am a “Combat Vet” with the awards to prove it in my records and on my DD-214. I demanded she do her job and access my records - when suddenly she claimed her system was having issues. She then formally denied me anyway and gave me a number to call and complain. Instead I spent an hour arguing and demanding her supervisor. She repeatedly denied me a supervisor saying he’ll just tell me the same thing. But I would not budge and finally got her supervisor. He immediately initiated an investigation which validated my “Combat Vet” status and approved my healthcare enrollment within the week.

[solear]

Served in the United States Marine Corp. Worked my ass off to get where I am today in life. Now the VA tells me I make too much money to be eligible for VA Health Care Benefits. All veterans should be eligible for healthcare coverage regardless of what their salary is. FUVA

[falsificationism]

Yikes. Before I went into the military I assumed healthcare was a benefit everyone got. "Healthcare for life, because we take care of our veterans..." Nope.

I never believed it was a means-tested program...complete with more forms, income requirements, and worthiness standards. I appreciate the info though...someone has to help us navigate the morass.

[kiker]

Been trying to get in since around 2012... Still not in the system after many tries. Oh well..

[thomasrobleyburnett]

The present V. A. policy (obviously) approved by CONGRESS requires veterans to QUALIFY for enrollment! (I'm guessing) only about 45% are enrolled.
Enrollment should be automatic when a soldier/sailor/airman/etc. is discharged from active duty (other than administratively or dishonorably discharged.)
This policy could be easily corrected by CONGRESS ! ! !

[jimkrue]

Sad story is I did 5 years active and 18 years reserve and do not qualify for VA benefits. My retirement pay is too much;. VA is only for the poor and not the people that spent many years giving to their country.

[ArnieKaplan]

I brought my 91 year old neighbor who was WWII Veteran who lost most of his hearing from a bomb that fell very close to him, to the VA because his Cancer needed a new Pharmaceutical that was not covered by his Ins and was more then he could afford. He never filed with the VA and was very proud and independent . Well, i helped him fill out the papers to register and they denied him because his pension was to big! He died of prostate cancer a year later!

[mikebradshaw]

VA got me through with good healthcare from my retirement at age 62 until age 65 when I took out SS and Medicare. At that time I got disqualified due to SS income. Tried reapplying but got denial letter so have never tried again. Now I have Medicare with Plan G supplemental and I can go anywhere to any doctor.

[bewatz]

first off, Im 100% rated from a severe head injury, a TBI from a high fall while active duty, no fault of my own. I was in one VA clinic and they didnt even have a doctor on board, you have TeleVue with one from a different state.... I was promised help and only recvd` tests, after tests and then another test because it took too long before doctor Televue.. so I needed an updated test again, same problem. this went on for 4 years and I bowed out of this clinic to another with an Advocate assistance. I got an appointment.. was there on time, took 6 months to get this appointment and went to the desk to check in and they said Oh im sorry, we arent taking any new patients? "but I have an appointment?", I said... they still wouldnt see me.. said they were overbooked and they are NOT taking any new patients.. So not only did I lose my old clinic with no doctor BUT for accepting an appointment at other clinic..(which by the way is 75 miles away from home), I dont have anything now... I marched back over to the advocates office, next closed door and got with Advocate and she went over to the desk and said she is the one responsible for me... and they turned her away as well. Im now on Community Care and into regular care like any private citizen which takes so long for a test or medical appointment, nothing new to me, Im still suffering from severe acute but does this seem fair? Its costing VA billing scads of money because i needed MRI's, Ultra Sounds, Xrays, Cat scans, heart tests, brain wave activity... these things are so costly.. wouldnt have been so much more economical to go thru VA services at their Facilities... No they wont have me...and if they do, they wont pay for the gas allowance... penny wise, dollar foolish. so Unfair... to me and the billing dept.... to others who go thru this ordeal.

[scottycollins]

You have to be broke to qualify. I’ve been rejected twice. It’s ridiculous. I actually was broke as an E3 in the Middle East.

[mwgoff]

My wife & I live in Greenville, SC. Today I just received my denial letter. I work for City Public Works and my wife is an Elementary School teacher. Apparently we make too much $? This seems crazy to me. I have friends I served with that have much higher incomes and go to VA’s for healthcare. Has something changed?

[dr.patcrnadnap]

I need help and don’t know who to call. I was just approved for 60% but my most pressing issue (PTSD) they denied. They did a chart review, had an incompetent psychiatrist or psychologist face time me, and had me get labs drawn. They got it wrong. And although thankful that they acknowledged some issues, I feel unheard and felt a lack of empathy. Kind of like give her something and carry on. But I don’t need money. I want them to investigate the issues. While those ppl may still be living. My entire life has been in shambles because of what I went through. Tears falling as I write. Their little questionnaire opened a flood gate of repressed memories. I was only 17

[SusanTrimm]

When I enlisted I was told the military would 'take care' of me when I retired. That was one reason I stayed for twenty years. Not the case. Since I do not meet the requirements of section 2 on this form and I've been blessed to have good employment after my 20 years of service, I have been rejected every time I try. Thankfully, I do get Tricare for Life and Medicare; I like my primary care doctor and meds aren't too expensive through Express Scripts. It's still BS though. I served honorable for 20 years (1974 to 1994)- where this benefit?

[katarabeads]

does the va help with home care sevices for my mentally disabled brother who was in the navy and reserves for over 4 years. my uncle was in the navy, made really good money and paid cash for new house. he qualified for home care.

[royrosales]

The VA is trying to take my benefits away. I have had 100% total for almost 15 years now. Is there anything I can do so they don’t take my benefits?

[kodiakkodiak]

I served 2 terms and DON'T qualify for VA mefical..that's B.S

Bad enough, ALL experiences I got in military were USELESS out in civilian world.

I can work for Uncle sam, work on multi-million dollar fighter jests and I CAN'T work on a prop planes?