Basic Medical Benefits Package for Veterans

Veterans generally must be enrolled to receive VA health care. Enrollment assures Veterans that comprehensive health care services are available when they are needed. VA's enrollment system designates Veterans by priority groups.

• Priority Groups 1-3: Service-connected Veterans who have received a VA disability rating, former POWs, awarded Purple Heart or Medal of Honor.
• Priority Groups 4-8: Denote other eligibilities generally based medical conditions, combat status, environmental exposures and income.

If you served in the active military service and were separated under any condition other than dishonorable, you may qualify for VA health care benefits. Current and former members of the Reserves or National Guard who were called to active duty by a Federal order and completed the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty may be eligible for VA health benefits as well. Combat Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998 are eligible to enroll in PG 6 within 5 years from the date of discharge and will receive free health care services and nursing home care for conditions possibly related to their military service.

Veterans who were discharged or released from the active military, naval, or air service after January 1, 2009, and before January 1, 2011, but did not enroll to receive hospital care, medical services, or nursing home care during the five-year period as currently specified by law, will have an additional one-year period from the date of enactment of the Clay Hunt SAV Act (February 12, 2015) to enroll for VA health care.

Veterans who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for not fewer than 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 are eligible for care for treatment of certain medical conditions regardless of enrollment status and will also receive free health care related to those illnesses or conditions. For more information about the program and for a list of the conditions and illnesses, visit the Camp Lejeune: Past Water Contamination page on VA's website.

For detailed eligibility requirements, please visit the VA Health Benefits homepage.

VA has developed a Website - My HealtheVet - especially for Veterans. VA encourages Veterans, active duty Servicemembers, their dependents and caregivers to register for a My HealtheVet account. Anyone who registers on My HealtheVet starts with a Basic Account which provides limited access to features in My HealtheVet that you self-enter. You may use the journals and other tools to track your health measures. Learn more about Upgrading your My HealtheVet account through In-Person or Online Authentication so that you can see your personal information located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Department of Defense (DoD) systems.

With a Basic Account you may use My HealtheVet to:

• Add information to a personal health journal about over-the-counter medications, military health history, medical events, tests and allergies
• Record and track personal information such as contact information, emergency contacts, health care providers and doctors, and health insurance information
• Record and track personal health measurements (blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, heart rate, body temperature, weight, pain level, etc.) in Vitals & Readings
• Print a wallet ID card with the personal information entered into the personal health record
• Set personal goals. My Goals makes it easy for you to set goals, identify your strengths and tasks, to overcome obstacles, and track your progress. My Goals can be used to help your health care team understand what is important to you

If you have questions:

• Call 1-877-222-VETS (8387)
• Visit the Ask VA (AVA) website to search Frequently Asked Questions or ask a question on-line
• Call 1-800-829-4833, if you are hearing impaired

To apply for VA benefits and services, view your benefit status, and many more services go to www.va.gov and either logon with your eBenefits sign on or use www.Logon.gov to enroll. VA.gov is a one-stop source for information on Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and services. Veterans, service members and their family members can conduct self-service transactions such as checking compensation and pension claim status information, enrolling in GI Bill, and obtaining copies of civil service preference letters, military records (DD214), and other personal information. For further information visit the VA.gov website.