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Health Care for Veterans
Congress has required that after October 1, 1998, most veterans must be enrolled to receive Veterans Administration (VA) hospital and outpatient care. Congress has also expanded the range of medical services that enrolled veterans may receive. Veterans may apply for enrollment at any time, and our Veterans Service Office will help facilitate those claims.
The number of Veterans who can be enrolled in the health care program is determined by the amount of money Congress gives VA each year. Since funds are limited, the VA sets up Priority Groups to make sure that certain groups of Veterans are able to be enrolled before others.
Enrollment Process
Once you apply for enrollment, your eligibility will be verified. Based on your specific eligibility status, you will be assigned a Priority Group. The Priority Groups range from 1 to 8 with 1 being the highest priority for enrollment. Some Veterans may have to agree to pay co-pay to be placed in certain Priority Groups.
You may be eligible for more than one Enrollment Priority Group. In that case, VA will always place you in the highest Priority Group that you are eligible for. Under the Medical Benefits Package, the same services are generally available to all enrolled Veterans. VA determines your eligibility for VA’s comprehensive medical benefits package through our patient enrollment system, which is based on Priority Groups from 1 through 8.
Veterans Enrollment Priority
- Priority Group 1:
- Veterans with VA Service-connected disabilities rated 50% or more
- Veterans assigned a total disability rating for compensation based on unemployability
- Priority Group 2:
- Veterans with VA Service-connected disabilities rated 30% or 40%.
- Priority Group 3:
- Veterans who are former prisoners of war
- Veterans awarded the Purple Heart Medal
- Veterans awarded the Medal of Honor
- Veterans whose discharge was for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty
- Veterans with VA Service-connected disabilities rated 10% or 20%
- Veterans awarded special eligibility classification under Title 38, U.S.C., § 1151, “benefits for individuals disabled by treatment or vocational rehabilitation”
- Priority Group 4:
- Veterans receiving increased compensation or pension based on their need for regular Aid and Attendance or by reason of being permanently Housebound
- Veterans determined by VA to be catastrophically disabled
- Priority Group 5:
- Non-Service-Connected Veterans and non-compensable Service-Connected Veterans rated 0%, whose annual income and/or net worth are not greater than the VA financial thresholds
- Veterans receiving VA Pension benefits
- Veterans eligible for Medicaid benefits
- Priority Group 6:
- Compensable 0% Service-connected Veterans
- Veterans exposed to ionizing radiation during atmospheric testing or during the occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
- Project 112/SHAD participants
- Veterans who served in the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962 and May 7, 1975
- Veterans who served in the Southwest Asia theater of operations from August 2, 1990, through November 11, 1998
- Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, as follows
- Priority Group 7:
- Veterans with incomes below the geographic means test (GMT) income thresholds and who agree to pay the applicable co-payment
- Priority Group 8:
- Veterans with gross household incomes above the VA national income threshold and the geographically-adjusted income threshold for their resident location and who agrees to pay co-pays
- Veterans eligibility for enrollment: Noncompensable 0% service-connected
- Veterans eligible for enrollment: Non-Service-connected
- Veterans not eligible for enrollment: Veterans not meeting the criteria
Veterans Administration is now offering Dental Insurance. Offers competitive rates and quality coverage. For more information please visit the Metlife website, Delta Dental website, or the Veteran's Administration website.
VA Medical Clinics
McClellan VA Clinic
VA Northern California Health Care System
5342 Dudley Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 94203
Phone: 916-561-7400
Auburn VA Clinic
Sierra Nevada Health Care System
11985 Heritage Oaks Place
Auburn, CA 95603
Phone: 530-889-0872
VA Hospitals
Sacramento VA Medical Center
VA Northern California Health Care System
10535 Hospital Way
Mather, CA 95655
Phone: 916-366-5366
Reno VA Medical Center
Sierra Nevada Health Care System
1000 Locust Street
Reno, NV 89502
Phone: 888-838-6256
- If I am enrolled with Veterans Affairs, what benefits will I receive?
- If I am enrolled, what cost will there be for me?
- Is this an insurance policy or an HMO?
- Are there any restrictions on getting care in private facilities at Veterans Affairs expense?
- Will Veterans Affairs pay for care in private facilities?
- What is the coverage for emergency services?
- What if I get sick while on travel?
- If enrolled, can I get dental care?
- Will Veterans Affairs take care of my nursing home needs?
- Will Veterans Affairs provide hearing aids and eyeglasses?
- What kinds of maternity services are available?
- Are there any limits on days of hospital care or outpatient visits Veterans Affairs will provide?
- Are there any plans to further expand Veterans Affair's health care benefits?