Veterans Health Care: VA Enrollment, Community Care, and Urgent Care
Last updated September 10, 2026.
The VA offers health care to eligible veterans through its medical centers and clinics. If you served in the military and meet basic requirements, you can apply for VA health benefits, which may cover hospital stays, prescriptions, mental health care, and more. You can also get care outside the VA system in certain situations.
Who can enroll in VA health care
Most veterans who served on active duty and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable can apply for VA health benefits. You need a DD-214 or other discharge paperwork. National Guard and Reserve members may qualify if they were activated for federal service.
Enrollment does not guarantee all services are free. The VA assigns you to a priority group based on service-connected disabilities, income, and other factors. Higher-priority groups pay less or nothing. Lower-priority groups may have copays similar to private insurance.
You apply online at va.gov, by phone at 877-222-VETS, by mail, or in person at a VA medical center. The application asks about your military service, income, and any service-connected conditions. Processing can take a few weeks. You can apply any time after discharge.
Priority groups and what they mean
The VA uses eight priority groups. Group 1 is highest priority: veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50 percent or more. Group 8 is lowest: veterans with higher incomes and no service-connected disabilities. Your group determines cost and sometimes wait times.
If you have a service-connected disability rating from the VA, you are placed in a higher group. Veterans with very low income, those who received a Purple Heart, or former prisoners of war also get high priority. The VA recalculates your group annually based on your income and disability status.
Lower-priority veterans may face enrollment limits if the VA reaches capacity in a region. In practice, most veterans who apply are enrolled. Once enrolled, you keep your benefits even if your income rises, though your copays may increase.
Getting care at VA facilities
Once enrolled, you receive care at VA medical centers, outpatient clinics, and community-based clinics. You choose a primary care provider within the VA system. The VA covers routine care, specialist visits, lab tests, imaging, surgery, mental health services, and prescriptions.
Wait times vary by location and specialty. Federal law requires the VA to offer appointments within 20 days for primary care and mental health, 28 days for specialty care. If the VA cannot meet these standards, you may be offered community care. You can check wait times and book appointments through the VA's online portal or by calling your local facility.
Prescriptions are filled at VA pharmacies or mailed to you. Copays range from $5 to $11 per 30-day supply for most veterans, depending on priority group. Veterans in Groups 1 through 6 pay no copays for medications related to service-connected conditions.
Community care: seeing providers outside the VA
Community care lets you see non-VA doctors if the VA cannot provide timely care, if you live far from a VA facility, or if the VA does not offer a specific service. The VA must approve community care in advance. You cannot simply visit any outside provider and expect the VA to pay.
To request community care, ask your VA provider or contact your local VA medical center. Common reasons for approval include long wait times, living more than 40 miles from a VA facility, or needing specialized treatment the VA does not provide locally. The VA arranges the appointment and pays the provider directly.
You still use your VA benefits, not private insurance, for community care. The visit is usually free or has the same copay as VA care. If you see a provider without VA approval, you may be billed the full cost. Emergency care at non-VA hospitals is covered under certain conditions.
Urgent care for veterans
Veterans enrolled in VA health care can go to urgent care clinics in the VA network without a referral. The VA contracts with networks like Optum and TriWest. You show your VA ID card and pay a flat copay, typically $30, if you are in certain priority groups. Higher-priority veterans may pay nothing.
Urgent care covers minor injuries, infections, sprains, and illnesses that need same-day attention but are not emergencies. You are allowed two urgent care visits per year without a referral. Additional visits require VA approval. Check va.gov to find in-network urgent care clinics near you.
For emergencies, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. The VA may cover emergency care at non-VA hospitals if it was a true emergency and you notify the VA within 72 hours. Billing is handled after the fact, and you may need to provide documentation.
Mental health and crisis support
VA health benefits include mental health care: counseling, therapy, medication management, and inpatient treatment. You can access mental health services through your primary care provider or directly by calling your VA medical center. Many facilities offer same-day mental health appointments.
The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 by calling 988 and pressing 1, texting 838255, or chatting online at veteranscrisisline.net. You do not need to be enrolled in VA health care to use the crisis line. It connects you to trained counselors who specialize in veteran issues.
Vet Centers, run by the VA, provide free counseling to veterans and their families for readjustment, PTSD, military sexual trauma, and bereavement. You do not need to be enrolled in VA health care to use a Vet Center. Find one at va.gov/find-locations.
Common questions
How long does it take to get enrolled in VA health care?
Most applications are processed within a week or two. Some take longer if the VA needs additional documents, like your DD-214 or income verification. You can check your application status online at va.gov or by calling 877-222-VETS. Once approved, you receive a welcome packet and can schedule appointments.
Can I use VA health care if I also have Medicare or private insurance?
Yes. You can use both. Some veterans use VA health care for primary and mental health services and private insurance for specialists or faster appointments. The VA does not bill Medicare or private insurance for VA care. If you get community care through the VA, the VA pays the provider directly.
What if I need emergency care and the nearest VA hospital is far away?
Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. The VA may cover emergency care at non-VA hospitals if it was a true emergency and you could not reasonably travel to a VA facility. You must notify the VA within 72 hours by calling the VA hospital or the community care line at 877-881-7618.
Do I pay anything for VA health care?
It depends on your priority group. Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50 percent or higher usually pay nothing. Others may have copays for primary care visits, typically $15 to $50, and for prescriptions, typically $5 to $11 per month. Inpatient care has per-day copays for lower-priority groups.
Can I get dental care through the VA?
Some veterans qualify for VA dental care. Those with service-connected dental conditions, 100 percent disability ratings, or certain other situations receive full dental benefits. Most other enrolled veterans do not get routine dental care through the VA but can access discounted private dental plans through VA partnerships.
How do I find out what my priority group is?
Your priority group is listed in your VA welcome letter when you enroll. You can also check it online at va.gov by logging into your account and viewing your health benefits information, or by calling your local VA medical center. The VA recalculates your group each year based on updated income and disability information.
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