About Health Care Services
To receive health care, veterans generally must be enrolled with VA. After enrolling your eligibility will be determined based upon service-connected disabilities, military service and financial status. Based upon your eligibility status you will be assigned to a priority group ranging from 1 (highest priority) to 8 (lowest priority).
Detailed information regarding eligibility, benefits and costs can be found at the Health Eligibility Web Site.
Health Care Services
Some of the health care services that the VA provides are:
| Outpatient Care | Surgical Care |
| Outpatient Pharmacy Services | Mental Health Services |
| Dental Treatment | Prosthetic and Sensory Aid Services |
| Domiciliary Care | Alcohol and Drug-Dependent Treatment |
| Community Living Centers |
Copayments
Non service-connected veterans, veterans not due monthly VA compensation, and veterans whose income is above the national "means test" threshold must agree to pay appropriate copayments for care. Some of the more common copayments are:
|
Type of Care |
Copayment and Billing Period |
| Medication Copayments | $8.00 for each 30-day or less supply of medication |
| Outpatient Primary Care | $15.00 for each day of outpatient care |
| Outpatient Specialty Care | $50.00 per each day of outpatient care |
| Outpatient Care | No charge for Preventive Screenings and/or Immunizations |
| Inpatient Hospital Care | $1024 for the first 90 days and a per diem of $10 per day |
More Information About Costs
Billing Insurance Companies
VA is authorized to submit claims to health insurance carriers for recovery of VA's reasonable charges in providing medical care to nonservice-connected veterans and to service-connected veterans with nonservice-connected conditions. VA cannot bill Medicare, but can bill Medicare supplemental health insurance carriers for 20 percent of the Medicare bill.
Beneficiary Travel
Certain veterans may be eligible for payment or reimbursement for travel costs to receive VA medical care. Reimbursement is paid at $.11 cents per mile and is subject to a deductible of $3 for each one-way trip and an $18 per month maximum payment. Travel benefits are paid to veterans depending upon service-connection disabilities, medical condition and income.
