Health Care Benefits Overview 2020 Edition, Vol. 1

This booklet is designed to provide Veterans and their families with the information they need to understand VA's health care system - eligibility requirements, health benefits and services available to help Veterans and to explain copayments that certain Veterans may be charged.

Updated Topics and Benefits:

• The VA MISSION Act
• Easy Ways to Apply for Enrollment  
• Medication Copayments  
• VA Dental Insurance Program
• Veterans Crisis Line
• Veterans Transportation Service

Introduction 1
Basic Eligibility for VA Health Care 3
Minimum Duty Requirements 3
Benefits of Enrolling 4
Reasons to enroll? 4
High Quality Care 4
Enrolling in VA Health Care 5
Quickly Find Out If You May Be Eligible For Enrollment 5
You can apply at any VA health care facility 5
Enrollment Priority Groups: What are they and how do they work? 6
The VA MISSION Act 7
Eligibility for Community Care 8
Urgent Care 8
Thank You for Choosing VA 9
Veteran Health Identification Card 9
Schedule an Appointment 10
Financial Reporting Requirements 10
Coverage Under The Affordable Care Act 12
Medication Copayments 13
Inpatient Copayments 13
Long-Term Care Copayment Rates 13
Cost-Free Care for Certain Veterans 13
VA Has Options That Can Help Veterans Pay Copayments 14
Veterans with Catastrophic Disabilities 15
VA and Other Health Plans 17
Private Health Insurance 17
Medicare Coverage 17
Medical Benefits Package 19
Prescription Drugs 19
Counseling 19
Rehabilitation 20
Meeting Women Veterans’ Unique Needs 20
Available Long-Term Care Services 20
Additional Services 20
Advance Directives 22
Medically Related Travel Benefits 24

Additional VA Health Benefits Programs 27
Dependents and Survivors 27
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Benefits 28
Emergency Care 29
VA Dental Insurance Program 30
Mental Health Services 30
Caregivers Program 32
Getting Care Abroad for your Service-Connected Conditions  32
Notice of Privacy Practices 32
Services and Tools Available Online 33
Your Personal VA Health Information at Your Fingertips 33
Frequently Asked Questions 37

Military veterans and their families seeking to use the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care system and learn more about how it works, with contact information for a variety of VA health care services.