VA Healthcare Guide 2026

Veterans who served in active military, naval, or air service and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable can apply for VA healthcare. The PACT Act Expanded Eligibility to all Veterans exposed to toxins or hazards, including those who served in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any combat zone after 9/11 .

Quick Facts

What Is VA Healthcare?

VA Healthcare is the medical benefits program for eligible Veterans administered by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). It is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, with more than 1,200 care locations serving nearly 9 million Veterans each year .

What it covers: Preventive care, Inpatient Hospital Services, Urgent and Emergency Care, Mental Health Services, prescriptions, prosthetics, audiology, and more .

Why it matters: VA enrollees have proven better health outcomes than non-enrolled Veterans. VA care is often more affordable than private insurance, and being enrolled meets ACA “minimum essential coverage” requirements .

What to do next: Apply online at VA.gov using VA Form 10-10EZ.

Eligibility for VA Healthcare

You may be eligible for VA healthcare if you served in active military, naval, or air service and did not receive a dishonorable discharge .

Basic Eligibility Requirements

If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, you must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty, unless :

• You were discharged for a disability caused or worsened by your active-duty service, or

• You were discharged for a hardship or “early out,” or

• You served prior to September 7, 1980

If you’re a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard, you must have been called to active duty by federal order and completed the full period. Active-duty status for training purposes does not count .

Enhanced Eligibility

You may qualify for a higher VA Priority Group if you meet any of these criteria :

• Receive VA disability compensation

• Discharged for a disability from line of duty

• Combat Veteran discharged on or after September 11, 2001

• Former prisoner of war (POW)

• Purple Heart or Medal of Honor recipient

• Medicaid recipient

• Exposed to toxins or hazards (including the PACT Act)

• Served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War (August 2, 1990 – November 11, 1998)

• Served at Camp Lejeune (August 1, 1953 – December 31, 1987) for at least 30 days

PACT Act Expanded Eligibility

The PACT Act made all Veterans who meet basic service and discharge requirements and who were exposed to toxins or hazards while serving eligible for VA healthcare . This includes all Veterans who served in :

• Vietnam War

• Gulf War

• Iraq

• Afghanistan

• Any combat zone after 9/11

• Camp Lejeune (August 1, 1953 – December 31, 1987)

Income-Based Eligibility

If you don’t qualify based on service-connected disability or toxic exposure, you may still qualify based on your income. Income eligibility is determined by your income, family size, and where you live .

Important: Income is only one factor. Many Veterans who were told “no” before now qualify under the PACT Act .

How to Apply for VA Healthcare

You can apply online, by phone, or in person .

Application Options

What You Need for Your Application

• DD214 or other discharge documents (copies) 

• VA disability award letters (if you have any) 

• Income information from the previous calendar year (if you don’t have a service-connected VA rating) 

• Current ID cards for other health coverage (Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, private insurance) 

After You Apply

1. Check your status online at VA.gov or call the Health Eligibility Center at 877-222-VETS 

2. Receive a decision letter by mail within about a week 

3. Schedule your first primary care appointment once enrolled 

Enrolled Veterans Get a VHIC

Once enrolled, you can request a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) online or through your local VA enrollment office .

What VA Healthcare Covers

All Veterans receive coverage for most care and services, with specific benefits depending on your Priority Group and your primary care provider’s recommendations .

Preventive Care Services

• Health exams (including gender-specific exams)

• Health education (including nutrition education)

• Immunizations (flu shots, etc.)

• Genetic disease counseling 

Inpatient Hospital Services

• Surgeries

• Medical treatments

• Kidney dialysis

• Acute care

• Specialized care (organ transplants, intensive care, traumatic injury care) 

Urgent and Emergency Care

• Urgent care at VA facilities or contracted urgent care centers (must be enrolled and have received care within past 24 months) 

• Emergency care at non-VA hospitals under certain conditions 

Mental Health Services

• PTSD treatment

• Military sexual trauma (MST) counseling

• Depression treatment

• Substance use treatment 

Additional Services

• Assisted living and home health care

• Prescriptions (written or approved by VA doctor)

• Diagnostic tests (blood work, X-rays, ultrasounds)

• Therapy and rehabilitation (physical therapy, vision rehab, TBI therapy)

• Prosthetics

• Audiology

• Radiation oncology 

What Is Not Covered

• Cosmetic surgery (unless medically necessary)

• Gender-affirming surgical interventions

• Health club or spa membership

• Non-FDA-approved medicines and devices (except in clinical trials or compassionate use) 

Priority Groups

VA places enrolled Veterans into one of 8 Priority Groups based on factors like service-connected disability, income, and other eligibility criteria . Your Priority Group determines:

• What copays you may owe

• What additional benefits you qualify for

Most Veterans need to complete a financial assessment when they enroll to determine their Priority Group .

2026 Funding and Updates

The FY 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act funds VA medical care at $114.9 billion discretionary .

Key 2026 Priorities

Subregulatory Guidance Update

Effective February 6, 2026, VA implemented changes increasing the maximum per diem rate for State Home domiciliary care from 115% to 133% (through September 30, 2027). VA may also waive the maximum rate up to 200% for up to 50% of grant recipients in certain circumstances .

VA Healthcare Myths Busted

“I make too much money.” FACT: Income is considered for some VA benefits, but it’s not the only factor. Even with higher income, you may still qualify .

“I’ve been out of service too long.” FACT: Eligibility is not solely determined by time since separation .

“I never deployed.” FACT: Deployment is not a requirement. Any active-duty service with honorable discharge may qualify .

“I don’t have a service-connected disability.” FACT: VA healthcare is not exclusively for Veterans with service-connected disabilities .

“VA healthcare is only for combat Veterans.” FACT: VA healthcare is available to all eligible Veterans .

“VA care is substandard.” FACT: In many studies, VA care is shown to be as good as or better than care in the private sector .

“Veterans face long wait times.” FACT: VA has implemented initiatives to reduce wait times and improve access .

“Veterans must travel long distances.” FACT: VA has expanded community care through the MISSION Act .

“VA facilities are outdated.” FACT: VA has invested heavily in modernizing facilities and technology .

Post-9/11 Military2VA (M2VA) Case Management

The Post-9/11 M2VA program is the primary contact for transitioning service members and Post-9/11 era Veterans entering the VA healthcare system .

What M2VA does:

• Partners with VHA, VBA, and DoD

• Ensures access to VA healthcare

• Reduces administrative barriers that delay or prevent care

• Helps with community reintegration 

Who qualifies: Post-9/11 Veterans, including National Guard and Reservists with federal activation .

How to Get Your 1095-B Tax Form

Starting in 2026, VA no longer automatically mails the 1095-B tax form (proof of VA health coverage for ACA requirements) .

To get your form:

1. Download: Sign in to VA.gov to download and print a digital copy 

2. Request paper copy: Call the VA, Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET 

State Differences

Every state has a Department of Veterans Services offering additional healthcare support, including:

• State Veterans Homes (long-term care)

• State Veterans Cemeteries

• State-specific health programs

Contact your state’s Veterans Services office for local resources beyond federal VA benefits.

Common Questions

How do I know if I’m eligible for VA healthcare?

If you served in active military, naval, or air service and didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, you may be eligible. PACT Act expanded eligibility to all Veterans exposed to toxins, including those who served in Vietnam, Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, or any combat zone after 9/11. Even if you were told “no” before, apply now .

What’s the PACT Act?

The PACT Act is a 2022 law that expanded VA healthcare to millions of Veterans exposed to toxins and hazards. It covers service in Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other combat zones after 9/11, plus Camp Lejeune. Many Veterans who were previously denied now qualify .

Do I need to be enrolled in VA to use urgent care?

Yes. You need to be enrolled in VA healthcare and have received care from VA within the past 24 months to use the VA urgent care benefit. Tell the urgent care provider you’re using the VA urgent care benefit when you arrive .

What’s the COMPACT Act?

The COMPACT Act allows Veterans in acute suicidal crisis to receive free emergency care at any VA or non-VA health care facility. You don’t need to be enrolled in VA healthcare to use this benefit.

Can I use VA healthcare and private insurance at the same time?

Yes. You can use VA healthcare benefits along with private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or TRICARE. VA will submit a claim to your private insurer for services provided at VA facilities. What’s not covered by your private insurance will be paid by VA, except for any applicable copays depending on your Priority Group .

What’s the 1095-B tax form?

The 1095-B form is proof that you have VA health coverage. Being enrolled in VA healthcare meets the ACA requirement for “minimum essential coverage.” Starting in 2026, you need to download your 1095-B from VA.gov instead of receiving it by mail .

What’s a Vet Center?

Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide free, confidential mental health and substance use counseling. They do not require VA enrollment. Call 877-927-8387 to find your nearest location.

How do I find a local VA medical center?

Use the VA facility locator at VA.gov/find-locations. You can search by ZIP code, city, or state.

What’s the Military2VA program?

M2VA is the primary contact for transitioning service members and Post-9/11 Veterans entering VA healthcare. It partners with VHA, VBA, and DoD to ensure access to VA healthcare and reduce administrative barriers that delay care .

Can I get VA dental care?

In certain cases, you may receive dental care as part of your VA health benefits. Dental coverage depends on your Priority Group, disability rating, and other factors .

Key Takeaways

• Apply even if you think you don’t qualify – PACT Act expanded eligibility for millions 

• VA healthcare is the largest integrated healthcare system – more than 1,200 locations serving 9 million Veterans annually 

• Basic eligibility: Active-duty service + discharge other than dishonorable 

• Income is only one factor – many Veterans qualify through service connection, toxic exposure, or PACT Act 

• VA coverage includes: Preventive care, inpatient, urgent/emergency, mental health, prescriptions, prosthetics, and more 

• Enrollment meets ACA minimum essential coverage requirement 

• 1095-B forms are digital-only starting in 2026 – download from VA.gov 

• FY 2026 funding: $114.9 billion discretionary for VA medical care 

• M2VA helps transitioning service members enroll and access care 

• Vet Centers offer free counseling without VA enrollment requirement

Official Resources

• VA.gov – https://www.va.gov

• VA Health Care Enrollment – https://www.va.gov/health-care

• Apply for VA Health Care – https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply

• VA Health Care Eligibility – https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility

• Find a VA Location – https://www.va.gov/find-locations

• Veterans Crisis Line – https://www.veteranscrisisline.net (Call 988, press 1)

• USA.gov Veterans Benefits – https://www.usa.gov/veterans

• VA Form 10-10EZ – https://www.va.gov/find-forms/about-form-10-10ez