Health Care Benefits

The Federal Department of Veterans Affairs provides a number of health care services. These services include:

• Hospital, outpatient medical, dental, pharmacy and prosthetic services
• Domiciliary, nursing home, and community-based residential care
• Sexual trauma counseling
• Specialized health care for women veterans
• Health and rehabilitation programs for homeless veterans
• Readjustment counseling
• Alcohol and drug dependency treatment
• Medical evaluation for military service exposure, including Gulf War, Agent Orange, radiation, or other environmental hazards

For most veterans, entry into the VA health care system begins with applying for enrollment. Veterans must complete a 10-10EZ (Application for Health Benefits). The form may be obtained from any VA health care facility, the Veterans Office, or by calling the VA Health Benefits Service Center at 1877-222-VETS (8387). The form can also be printed off at the VA's Health Eligibility page.

Veterans do not have to be enrolled if they:

• Have a service-connected disability of 50% or more
• Want care for a disability the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, but which the VA has not yet rated, during the 12-month period following discharge
• Want care for a service-connected disability only