centers, nearly 1,400 community-based outpatient clinics, community living centers, and Vet Centers. Together these health care facilities and the more than 53,000 independent licensed health care practitioners who work within them provide comprehensive care to more than 8.3 million veterans each year. After a service member leaves active military service, the VHA becomes responsible for providing medical care for service-related injuries or conditions. At this point, the Department of Defense is no longer responsible for providing care for service-related conditions. The VHA offers a number of different programs as part of the Veterans healthcare system. The most important one is the Medical Benefits Package, which is a standard set of health services the VHA provides to veterans who qualify for VA healthcare benefits. Other VA programs include Readjustment Counseling services, dental care, and home healthcare for homebound veterans. In most cases, VA facilities such as VA hospitals and VA Medical Centers provide the medical services. Civilian medical facilities generally don’t provide care under the VA to veterans. Understanding VA Healthcare Benefits Because primarily work with veterans rather than active members of the military, we will begin our discussion of healthcare options with the VA healthcare benefits. Applying for VA Healthcare Benefits The VA offers veterans a number of ways to for healthcare benefits. Veterans may apply online by filling out the online application and submitting it electronically to the VA for processing. The online application VA Form EZ, Application for Health Benefits, is found online here: va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/ Veterans may also apply in person by going to the local VA health care facility and completing the same VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Health Benefits. It’s also possible to apply by phone with a VA representative by calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Fri, EST. Finally, applications may be submitted by mail. Detailed information about the application process may be found here:
centers, nearly 1,400 community-based outpatient clinics, community living centers, and Vet Centers. Together these health care facilities and the more than 53,000 independent licensed health care practitioners who work within them provide comprehensive care to more than 8.3 million veterans each year. After a service member leaves active military service, the VHA becomes responsible for providing medical care for service-related injuries or conditions. At this point, the Department of Defense is no longer responsible for providing care for service-related conditions. The VHA offers a number of different programs as part of the Veterans healthcare system. The most important one is the Medical Benefits Package, which is a standard set of health services the VHA provides to veterans who qualify for VA healthcare benefits. Other VA programs include Readjustment Counseling services, dental care, and home healthcare for homebound veterans. In most cases, VA facilities such as VA hospitals and VA Medical Centers provide the medical services. Civilian medical facilities generally don’t provide care under the VA to veterans. Understanding VA Healthcare Benefits Because primarily work with veterans rather than active members of the military, we will begin our discussion of healthcare options with the VA healthcare benefits. Applying for VA Healthcare Benefits The VA offers veterans a number of ways to for healthcare benefits. Veterans may apply online by filling out the online application and submitting it electronically to the VA for processing. The online application VA Form EZ, Application for Health Benefits, is found online here: va.gov/healthbenefits/apply/ Veterans may also apply in person by going to the local VA health care facility and completing the same VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Health Benefits. It’s also possible to apply by phone with a VA representative by calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon-Fri, EST. Finally, applications may be submitted by mail. Detailed information about the application process may be found here:
2016_WIPA_Manual_Module_4_S.docx