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If you’re serving on active duty, including as a returning OEF/OIF/OND service member, find out how to apply for VA health care once you’ve received your separation or retirement orders.

Your eligibility for VA health care and other health care coverage depends on your service history and other factors. ENHANCED ELIGIBILITY FOR RETURNING OEF/OIF/OND COMBAT VETERANS You can

receive free VA health care for up to 10 years after discharge or release for any condition related to your service in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi

Freedom (OIF) or Operation New Dawn (OND) in Iraq. This is called an enhanced eligibility period. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY RIGHT AWAY If you wait to apply for VA health care until after

your enhanced eligibility period ends, we won’t factor your OEF/OIF/OND combat Veteran status into our decision on your enrollment. Instead, we’ll base your eligibility on factors such as

your income and VA disability rating. So even if you don’t think you need medical care right now, we encourage you to apply for VA health care right away to take advantage of this enhanced

eligibility period.  Apply for VA health care ELIGIBILITY AFTER SEPARATION If you're a Veteran who's recently separated from active duty, including active National Guard or Reserve

duty, you may be eligible for VA health care for all or some of your health care needs. We’ll determine your eligibility based on your service history, VA disability rating, income, and

other factors. If you had active-duty status for training purposes only, you don’t qualify for VA health care. Learn more about VA health care eligibility  Find out how to apply for VA

health care You and your family may also qualify for temporary health coverage through the Department of Defense’s TRICARE program. If you’re a member of the National Guard and Reserve, your

coverage options will depend on your military status before you separate. You’ll have 90 days from your separation date to change your health plan. Learn about how to enroll for temporary

TRICARE coverage after separation on the TRICARE website ELIGIBILITY AFTER RETIREMENT You may be eligible for the Department of Defense’s TRICARE program as a military retiree. Your family

members may also qualify for care. You’ll need to enroll within 90 days after your retirement date even if you’re already enrolled in TRICARE on active duty. Learn about how to enroll in

TRICARE as a military retiree on the TRICARE website You may also be eligible for certain VA health care benefits. Learn more about VA health care eligibility  Find out how to apply for VA

health care IF YOU’RE BEING MEDICALLY RETIRED FROM ACTIVE DUTY You may be eligible to receive care through VA for any service-connected disabilities. You may also qualify to receive all

other care through TRICARE. Your eligible family members may also qualify for care through TRICARE. To learn more about your options, talk with a VA benefits counselor. Your counselor will

help you determine what your military and VA medical board ratings mean and how they affect your options. Your counselor will also help you apply for benefits. Call our health benefits

hotline at 877-222-8387 to connect with a benefits counselor. If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-877-8339. We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. Or contact your

nearest VA medical center.  Find a VA medical center near you ------------------------- GETTING STARTED WITH VA HEALTH CARE CAN I APPLY FOR VA HEALTH CARE BEFORE I’VE ENDED MY SERVICE? Yes.

You can apply as soon as you’ve received your separation or retirement papers. If we determine you’re eligible, you’ll be enrolled once you’ve separated or retired. CAN I USE VA HEALTH CARE

WHILE I’M STILL ON ACTIVE DUTY? YOU MAY BE ABLE TO USE VA HEALTH CARE IF: * You need emergency or urgent care. We’ll provide care first, and then get TRICARE authorization for care once

we’ve stabilized your health.  * You need routine care and you have a valid TRICARE referral or authorization. * The VA health facility you’re visiting has a VA/DoD sharing agreement that

allows us to provide care without referrals. For more information about this, please contact your local military hospital or clinic (also called a military treatment facility) or TRICARE

office.  Find a military treatment facility  Contact TRICARE WHAT IF I’VE JUST SEPARATED AND I DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START? We can help you learn about and apply for VA health care benefits. A

member of our Concierge for Care (C4C) team will call you soon after your separation from military service. We can answer any questions you may have, process your application over the

phone, and help you schedule your first VA medical appointment.