Start With Your Health
Your VA Journey Can Start Here.
Veterans should first determine VA healthcare eligibility, enroll, establish care, and understand the healthcare resources available to them. You do not need to wait until you are pursuing a disability claim to begin using VA healthcare.
All VeteransEnroll in VA Healthcare
VA healthcare is available to eligible veterans — but you must enroll. Eligibility is based on factors including your service history, discharge status, disability rating, income, and other criteria. The process is straightforward, and many veterans are surprised to find they qualify.
Who May Be Eligible
Veterans who served on active duty and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable may be eligible. Additional criteria apply for certain service periods and locations.
How to Enroll
You can apply online, by phone, by mail, or in person at a VA medical center. Enrollment is free and opens the door to a wide range of VA health services.
Priority Groups
VA assigns veterans to priority groups that help determine copays and access. Your group is based on factors like disability rating, income, and service history.
No Disability Rating Required
You do not need a VA disability rating to enroll in VA healthcare. Many veterans with no current rating are eligible for VA health services.
Don't assume you aren't eligible. Check with VA. Eligibility rules have expanded over the years. Veterans who were previously told they didn't qualify, or who never checked, should verify their current eligibility directly with VA.
Get Your Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)
Once enrolled in VA healthcare, veterans can obtain a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC). This card identifies you as an enrolled VA healthcare patient and can be used at VA medical facilities to check in for appointments and access VA health services.
What the VHIC Is
The VHIC is a VA-issued photo ID card for enrolled VA healthcare patients. It displays your name, photo, and a barcode used at VA facilities.
How to Get One
Enrolled veterans can request a VHIC through the VA. The card is typically issued after your first VA healthcare appointment.
Where It's Used
The VHIC is used at VA medical centers and clinics to check in for appointments and verify your enrollment in VA healthcare.
Not the Same as a DoD ID
The VHIC is a VA healthcare enrollment card. It is separate from the DoD Uniformed Services ID (USID), which is issued through RAPIDS/DEERS and provides access to DoD facilities and privileges.
Establish Your VA Healthcare Team
VA healthcare is more than emergency care. Once enrolled, veterans can access a broad range of health services. Get connected before you need help urgently.
Primary Care
Your VA primary care team is your main point of contact for routine health needs, preventive care, referrals, and ongoing health management.
Preventive Care
VA provides screenings, immunizations, and preventive health services to help veterans stay healthy and catch problems early.
Mental Health
VA offers comprehensive mental health services including counseling, therapy, medication management, and crisis support.
Specialty Care
VA provides referrals to specialists for conditions requiring specialized treatment, including cardiology, orthopedics, neurology, and more.
Hearing & Audiology
VA audiology services include hearing evaluations, hearing aids, and treatment for hearing loss and tinnitus — among the most common service-connected conditions.
Vision
VA provides vision care for eligible veterans, including eye exams and treatment for certain eye conditions. Eligibility for routine vision care varies.
Rehabilitation
VA physical therapy, occupational therapy, and rehabilitation services support veterans recovering from injuries, surgery, or managing chronic conditions.
Telehealth
VA telehealth allows veterans to connect with their care team by video or phone, reducing the need to travel to a VA facility for many types of appointments.
Prescriptions
Enrolled veterans can fill prescriptions through VA pharmacies, often at low or no cost depending on their priority group and the medication.
Get connected before you need help urgently. Establishing care with a VA primary care team means you have a relationship in place when health issues arise — rather than starting from scratch during a crisis.
Talk to Your Doctor About What's Actually Happening
Veterans often minimize or don't mention health concerns during appointments. Be direct with your VA provider about what you are actually experiencing — including old injuries, chronic pain, hearing problems, sleep issues, mental-health concerns, mobility limitations, and any other legitimate health concerns.
Old Injuries
Injuries from service may have lasting effects that weren't fully addressed at the time. Discuss any ongoing symptoms, even if the original injury was years ago.
Chronic Pain
Persistent pain — back, joints, headaches, or other areas — should be documented and discussed with your provider, not just tolerated.
Hearing & Tinnitus
Hearing loss and ringing in the ears are extremely common among veterans. If you have these symptoms, tell your provider.
Sleep Problems
Sleep disturbances, insomnia, and sleep apnea are common veteran health concerns. Discuss any sleep issues with your care team.
Mental Health
PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental-health concerns are legitimate medical conditions. Your provider can connect you with appropriate care.
Mobility & Function
Difficulty with movement, balance, or daily activities should be discussed. VA rehabilitation and physical therapy services may help.
Your medical record should accurately reflect your symptoms, diagnoses, treatment, and medical history. Accurate documentation helps ensure you receive appropriate care and that your health history is properly recorded.
Understand Your VA Medical Record
VA provides veterans with digital access to their health information. Reviewing your records helps you stay informed about your care, catch errors, and understand your health history.
Appointments
View upcoming and past VA appointments through VA digital health tools.
Medications
Review your current and past VA prescriptions, dosages, and refill history.
Lab Results
Access results from blood work, imaging, and other diagnostic tests ordered by your VA care team.
Medical Records & Notes
Review clinical notes, visit summaries, and documentation from your VA healthcare encounters.
Treatment Information
Track your diagnoses, treatment plans, and care history across VA facilities.
Referrals
See referrals to VA specialists or community care providers that your primary care team has submitted.
Prescriptions & Pharmacy
VA pharmacy services allow enrolled veterans to fill and refill prescriptions through VA facilities or by mail. Copays for medications vary based on your priority group, the type of medication, and your disability rating. Many veterans pay little or nothing for VA prescriptions.
VA Pharmacy Locations
Most VA medical centers have on-site pharmacies. Prescriptions can also be filled at community pharmacies through certain VA programs.
Mail-Order Prescriptions
VA offers mail-order prescription delivery for eligible medications, which can be convenient for veterans who live far from a VA facility.
Prescription Copays
Copays for VA prescriptions depend on your priority group and the medication type. Veterans with service-connected conditions may pay reduced or no copays.
Refills
Refills can be requested online through My HealtheVet, by phone, or in person at a VA pharmacy.
What Does VA Healthcare Cost?
VA healthcare costs vary based on your eligibility rules, priority group, disability rating, income, type of care, and other factors. Some veterans pay nothing. Others pay copays for certain services. The only way to know what applies to you is to check directly with VA.
Priority Groups
VA assigns veterans to priority groups (1–8) that determine copay levels. Veterans with higher disability ratings are generally in higher-priority groups with lower or no copays.
Service-Connected Conditions
Care for service-connected conditions is typically provided at no cost to the veteran. This includes related medications and treatment.
Income-Based Eligibility
Veterans without a disability rating may qualify for VA healthcare based on income. VA uses geographic income thresholds to determine eligibility.
Copay Waivers
Veterans experiencing financial hardship may be able to request a copay waiver or repayment plan. Contact VA to discuss your options.
Never avoid VA healthcare because you assume you can't afford it. Find out what actually applies to your situation. Many veterans are surprised by what they qualify for.
Mental Health Is Healthcare
VA provides comprehensive mental health services for veterans. These are legitimate medical services — not a separate category or something to approach differently than physical health care.
PTSD
VA offers specialized PTSD treatment including evidence-based therapies, medication management, and PTSD-specific programs at VA medical centers.
Depression & Anxiety
VA mental health services include evaluation and treatment for depression, anxiety disorders, and other mood-related conditions.
Substance Use
VA provides treatment and support for veterans dealing with alcohol or substance use concerns, including counseling and medication-assisted treatment.
Military Sexual Trauma (MST)
VA provides free mental health care and counseling related to military sexual trauma for all veterans, regardless of discharge status or other eligibility factors.
Care Outside a VA Facility
VA provides several pathways for veterans to receive care outside of a VA medical center. Eligibility, authorization, and payment requirements vary for each program — always verify what applies to your situation before assuming coverage.
Community Care
Eligible veterans may receive care from community (non-VA) providers when VA cannot provide the needed care in a timely manner or within a reasonable distance. Authorization is typically required.
Urgent Care
Eligible enrolled veterans can receive urgent care at VA-approved community urgent care locations for minor illnesses and injuries. Eligibility and copay requirements apply.
Emergency Care
VA may cover emergency care at non-VA facilities under certain conditions. Requirements and limitations apply — review VA's emergency care policies to understand what is covered.
Telehealth
VA telehealth connects veterans with their VA care team by video or phone. This can reduce travel requirements and increase access to care for veterans in rural or remote areas.
Eligibility, authorization, and payment requirements vary for community care, urgent care, and emergency care. Always verify what applies to your situation through VA before assuming a service is covered.
Information on receiving VA-authorized care from community (non-VA) providers.
Learn about VA urgent care benefits and how to find approved urgent care locations.
Connect with your VA care team by video or phone through VA telehealth.
VGS Doesn't Replace the VA. We Help You Understand How to Use It.
Veteran Global Solutions helps veterans understand and navigate the legitimate resources and benefits they have earned through their military service. Every link on this page connects to an official VA resource. VGS provides this information for awareness — not as medical, legal, or benefits advice.
You're Connected to VA. What's Next?
Veterans who have an injury, illness, or condition that may be connected to their military service can next learn about VA disability compensation and the full range of VA benefits available to them and their families.