Available Veteran Medical Benefits
Veterans may be eligible for a vast array of federal, state and local benefits, such as education, housing and even tax breaks, after they leave military service. Several benefits are also available immediately to address some of their most pressing concerns—their physical and mental health.
Is it true that some combat veterans are eligible for free health care?
Yes. Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after Nov. 11, 1998, are eligible for free medical care through the Department of Veterans Affairs for five years following their discharge. This covers any condition possibly related to their service in theater.
According to the VA, “The 5-year enrollment period begins on the discharge or separation date of the service member from active duty military service, or in the case of multiple call-ups, the most recent discharge date.”
Veterans are strongly encouraged to enroll during this period of eligibility, even if no medical care is required to receive the full measure of coverage available. After the five-year period is over, eligibility for enrollment will be decided by other factors such as a service-connected disability or special financial circumstances.
There is no enrollment fee, monthly premium or deductible for this coverage during this five-year period, and once enrolled, the veteran will remain enrolled. Additionally, enrollment with the VA fulfills the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) requirement for health care coverage.
Are Guard and Reserve members eligible for this coverage as well?
All veterans—including activated Reservists and National Guard members—are eligible if they served on active duty in a theater of combat operations after Nov. 11, 1998, and have been discharged under other-than-dishonorable conditions.
What mental health care treatment options are available to veterans?
In July 2017, the VA announced an expansion of urgent mental health care services to former service members with other-than-honorable (OTH) administrative discharges as a means of aiding those who are in distress or may be at risk for suicide. Now, all VA medical centers offer emergency stabilization care for those former service members who present at the facility with urgent mental health needs. Those individuals are able to receive care for their mental health emergency for an initial period of up to 90 days, which can include inpatient, residential or outpatient care.
You may apply to the Department of Defense to upgrade your discharge status. For a customized step-by-step walk-through of this process, visit va.gov/discharge-upgrade-instructions.
During the OTH review process, unless your discharge is subject to one of the statutory bars to benefits under Section 5303, Title 38, U.S. Code, you may receive treatment for your VA-rated service-connected disability. The VA may also treat you for conditions related to military sexual trauma experienced during your service; mental or behavioral health if you served at least 100 days and in a combat role; psychosis developed within two years of discharge from World War II, from the Korean conflict or during the Vietnam era. For the Persian Gulf War, the VA may treat you for mental illness developed within two years of discharge or the end of the war. You may also receive emergency mental health for a condition you say is related to your military service.
Other conditions may be treated when in an emergency. Please note that the VA will charge you for any humanitarian care received if you are found to be ineligible for VA health care.
How can a veteran, not enrolled in the VA, access mental health care treatment now?
Yes—veterans can receive free, emergency suicide care whenever and wherever they need it. Under the COMPACT Act of 2020 (P.L. 116-214), any veteran—whether enrolled in VA health care or not—may go to a VA or non-VA emergency department for emergent suicidal care. Veterans in suicidal crisis are strongly encouraged to call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room for immediate assistance.
VA will provide or cover the cost of treatment related to a suicidal crisis, including transportation to a facility, inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days, and outpatient care for up to 90 days following the crisis.
Eligibility for emergency services under the COMPACT Act includes:
- former members of the armed forces who served more than 24 months of active duty and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable;
- former active or reserve service members who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation, including those who operated unmanned aerial vehicles, and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable;
- former members of the armed forces who were the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment while serving in the military.
- A veteran does NOT need to be enrolled in VA health care to receive emergency suicidal crisis care under the COMPACT Act.
- Community emergency departments do not need a prior agreement or contract with VA in order to be paid for authorized COMPACT-related treatment or follow-up care.
The Veterans Crisis Line
Currently, any veteran in distress may call the Veterans Crisis Line to access free, confidential support 24/7. The resource connects veterans, their families and friends with qualified VA responders through:
- Phone: Dial 988, then press 1
- Online chat
- Text message: 838255
Veterans Crisis Line staff members can connect veterans with VA services and make necessary referrals to local suicide prevention coordinators and VA providers specializing in issues like post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and military sexual trauma.
The Veterans Crisis Line website also features a resource locator, which can direct veterans to local VA suicide prevention coordinators, crisis centers, VA medical centers and outpatient clinics, Vet Centers and Veterans Benefits Administration offices.
Vet Centers
Local, community-based Vet Centers help combat veterans, service members and their families with readjustment counseling needs in more than 300 locations across the U.S. and surrounding territories, all at no cost to individuals seeking assistance.
Veterans can find the nearest Vet Center by accessing the online locator or by calling the 24-hour confidential call center at 877-WAR VETS (877-927-8387). The staff is composed of combat veterans as well as family members of combat veterans.
Eligibility is open to any veteran, active-duty service member (including Guard and Reserve members) who served on active duty in a combat theater, experienced military sexual trauma, provided direct emergent medical care or mortuary services to casualties of war while on active duty, or served as a member of an unmanned aerial vehicle crew providing direct support to combat operations.
Vet Centers maintain nontraditional operating hours in order to best serve the schedules and needs of veterans and their families.
How can a veteran seek VA health care for physical or mental health care issues caused by service?
Many veterans carry lasting scars from their military service—whether they are visible or invisible. If a veteran was injured, fell ill or suffered a trauma during their time in the military, they may wish to file a claim for disability benefits through the VA in order to have that condition verified as service-connected, thus making them eligible for necessary health care coverage.
It can be helpful to enlist the help of a professional benefits expert to guide you through the process. Many, like those at DAV, provide their expertise and service at no cost to service members, veterans or their families.
- Find a DAV benefits expert by visiting DAV’s online locator.
- Active-duty military members looking for assistance as they separate from service can visit one of DAV’s transition service offices.
Don’t see an office nearby? DAV has over 1,200 local chapters and departments, and most are staffed by trained veteran experts who can help facilitate your claim.
