VA health care: who qualifies and how to enroll

Roughly half of the veterans eligible for VA health care aren't enrolled — often because they assume they won't qualify, think it costs too much, or don't realize they can use it alongside other insurance. Enrollment is free to apply, open year-round, and signing up doesn't force you to give up Medicare, TRICARE, or an employer plan.

Who qualifies

Most veterans who served on active duty and did not receive a dishonorable discharge are eligible. Beyond that:

• Service-connected disability — if you have any VA disability rating, you qualify regardless of income.
• Income-based — veterans below the VA's geographically adjusted income threshold qualify even without a rating.
• Special pathways — recent combat service, former POW, Purple Heart or Medal of Honor recipients, and toxic exposure under the PACT Act all open eligibility.

The 8 priority groups

When you enroll, the VA assigns a priority group (1–8) that affects your costs and how quickly you're enrolled:

• Groups 1–3: veterans with service-connected disabilities (highest priority; Group 1 is 50%+ or unemployable).
• Groups 4–6: catastrophic disabilities, low income, or qualifying environmental/toxic exposure (PACT Act enrollees land in Group 6 at minimum).
• Groups 7–8: no service-connected disability and income above the threshold — still eligible, usually with modest copays.

What it costs

Many veterans pay nothing for enrollment or for care of service-connected conditions. Copays for other care depend on your priority group and income. Care for a PACT Act toxic-exposure condition is covered at no cost, and every enrollee gets a free toxic-exposure screening.

How to enroll

1. Have your DD-214 and basic income information ready.
2. Apply online (VA Form 10-10EZ) at VA.gov/health-care, by phone, or in person at a VA medical center.
3. Check your county's exact income limit with the VA's income-limit lookup.

Related: the PACT Act guide (toxic-exposure eligibility), the benefits eligibility finder, and our VA claims guide.

General information, not a determination of your eligibility — the VA makes that. Income thresholds are adjusted by location and updated yearly; confirm current figures on VA.gov. Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.