The Affordable Care Act, VA, and You

Enrolled? What You Should Know

Your Enrollment Means You Don’t Need to Take Additional Steps

If you are enrolled in any of VA’s programs below, you have coverage under the standards of the health care law:

Veteran’s health care program
Civilian Health and Medical program (CHAMPVA)
Spina bifida health care program

You don’t need to do anything more. The health care law does not change your VA benefits or out-of-pocket costs. You can continue to enjoy VA health care, which means you have:

Medical care rated among the best in the U.S.
Immediate benefits of health care coverage. Veterans may apply for VA health care enrollment at any time.
No enrollment fee, monthly premiums, or deductibles. Most Veterans have no out-of-pocket costs. Some Veterans may have to pay small copayments for health care or prescription drugs.
More than 1,700 places available to get your care. This means your coverage can go with you if you travel or move.
Met the new requirement to have health care coverage that meets the minimum standard.

The goal of the VA health care system is to achieve excellence in patient care and customer satisfaction. VA’s medical mission is singular — to serve Veterans by providing the highest quality health care available anywhere in the world. America’s Veterans deserve nothing less.

It’s in the Mail

Enrolled Veterans will also receive this information through the mail. The letter from the VA is another means to inform you that there is no need to take any additional steps to obtain health insurance to comply with the health care law coverage standards going into effect in January 2014. Letters are being mailed in Priority Group order, starting with Veterans in Priority Group 1 through Priority Group 8. The mailings should be complete by the end of October.

For more information about your health benefits, visit www.va.gov/healthbenefits anytime or call 1-877-222-VETS (8387), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. or Saturdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Eastern.

VA and Other Health Insurance

If you have other forms of health care coverage, such as a private insurance plan, Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE, you can continue to use VA along with these plans. Remember: it is always a good idea to inform your doctors if you are receiving care outside of VA so your health care can be coordinated.

Health Insurance Marketplace

Beginning in October 2013, the Marketplace is a new way to shop for and purchase private health insurance (for example, health coverage other than VA health care programs) that fits your budget and meets your needs. People who purchase insurance through the Marketplace may be able to lower the costs of health insurance coverage by paying lower monthly premiums. For more information, visit www.healthcare.gov.

Family Members and the Marketplace

Even though you are covered by your VA health care enrollment, your family members who are not enrolled in a VA health care program should use the Marketplace to get coverage. They may get lower costs on monthly premiums or out-of-pocket costs. They could be eligible for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Starting October 1, they can submit an application for health care coverage through the Marketplace, and learn the amount of assistance they are eligible for. For more information, visit www.healthcare.gov.

Canceling Your Enrollment…A Word of Caution

If you choose to cancel your VA health care enrollment, you may reapply for enrollment at any time; however, acceptance for future VA health care enrollment will be based on eligibility factors at the time of application, which may result in a denial of enrollment.

From VA.gov