Veterans return from service with the broadest set of health coverage options available to any demographic in the United States, and also with the most complex enrollment rules. VA health care, TRICARE, CHAMPVA, Medicare, Medicaid, and ACA marketplace plans can all stack, coordinate, or conflict depending on a veteran's discharge status, service-connected rating, income, and age. Getting the coverage combination wrong means paying for care that should have been free, or missing out on VA benefits that 9 million enrolled veterans rely on annually.
Military retirees who served at least 20 years typically have TRICARE as their primary plan, with Medicare as a secondary payor at age 65. Veterans who separated before retirement may rely on VA health care as their primary coverage, especially if they have a service-connected disability rating. Veterans with no service-connected conditions and moderate income can still enroll in VA health care at priority group 7 or 8, paying copays but gaining access to VA pharmacy rates, which are often far lower than commercial alternatives. The PACT Act of 2022 eliminated many enrollment barriers for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, Agent Orange, and radiation, adding an estimated 5 million newly eligible veterans. Veterans approaching 65 should review the Medicare free or cost guide to understand Part A and Part B premium rules before their Initial Enrollment Period.
Your 5 Real Options
Available options| Coverage option | Best for | Typical 2026 cost |
|---|
| VA health care (Priority Groups 1-4) | Veterans with 50%+ service-connected rating or Purple Heart, POW, Agent Orange, PACT Act eligibility | $0 premiums; $0 copays for service-connected care |
| VA health care (Priority Groups 5-8) | Veterans with lower or no service-connected rating; income-based enrollment | $0 premiums; copays apply for non-service-connected care ($15-$50/visit) |
| TRICARE (active duty retirees and eligible families) | Military retirees with 20+ years of service and their dependents | $0 to $360/year premium; copays $0-$35 depending on plan variant |
| CHAMPVA | Spouses and dependents of 100% permanently disabled or deceased veterans (not TRICARE-eligible) | $0 premiums; 25% cost-share after $50 deductible; $3,000 annual OOP cap |
| ACA Marketplace plan | Veterans who need coverage outside VA network (dental, vision, broader provider access) | $0-$500/month after Premium Tax Credit if income is under 400% FPL ($63,840 single in 2026) |
VA health care and ACA marketplace plans can be held simultaneously. VA pays for service-connected conditions; marketplace or Medicare wraps for non-VA care. TRICARE for Life (TFL) coordinates with Medicare Parts A and B for military retirees at age 65. Source: VA.gov, TRICARE.mil, HealthCare.gov.
Source: VA.gov, TRICARE.mil, HealthCare.gov, CMS Medicare
Option 1: VA Health Care (Priority Groups 1-4)
Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or higher fall into priority groups 1 through 4, which means the VA covers all health care related to service-connected conditions at no cost, and non-service-connected care is also free or very low cost. Priority group 1 covers veterans with a 50%+ service-connected rating; priority group 2 covers 30-40% ratings; priority group 3 includes Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, veterans with certain Agent Orange exposure, and veterans discharged for disability incurred in the line of duty; priority group 4 includes veterans receiving VA Aid and Attendance benefits. Following the PACT Act of 2022, veterans with documented toxic-exposure presumptive conditions (burn pit exposure, radiation, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune contamination) were added to priority group 6 or higher, depending on their specific condition and rating.
VA health care is not automatic. A veteran with a 70% service-connected rating who never submits an enrollment application has no active VA coverage. Enrollment is done through VA.gov or by calling 1-800-827-1000. The VA verifies discharge status using your DD-214 form, and the service-connected disability rating from your existing VA claims file. Veterans in priority groups 1-4 do not have VA income limits for enrollment. Once enrolled, a VA-enrolled veteran uses VA medical centers and community care network providers for covered services. VA pharmacy copays for priority groups 1-4 are $0 for service-connected medications and typically $5 to $11 for non-service-connected prescriptions, which is far below Medicare Part D retail costs.
Option 2: VA Health Care (Priority Groups 5-8)
Veterans without a service-connected disability rating, or with a rating below 10%, may still qualify for VA health care enrollment based on income in priority groups 5 through 8. Priority group 5 covers veterans with incomes below the VA's means-test threshold (approximately $45,000 for a single veteran or $55,000 for a married veteran in 2026, varying by geographic location). Priority groups 6, 7, and 8 cover veterans with progressively higher incomes, with group 8 veterans paying the highest copay schedule for care. Priority group 5 through 8 veterans pay copays for non-service-connected outpatient visits, typically $15 for primary care and $50 for specialty care, and $5 to $11 for prescriptions. Inpatient copays also apply on a per-day basis.
Veterans in priority groups 7 and 8 should compare VA enrollment to an ACA Marketplace plan before enrolling. If your household income qualifies for a Premium Tax Credit (under 400% FPL in 2026, which is $63,840 for a single person), a subsidized marketplace Silver plan may offer lower total cost than VA priority group 8 copays for non-service-connected care. On the other hand, VA pharmacy copays are a genuine advantage: a service-connected disabled veteran or group 5-8 enrollee typically pays $5 to $11 per 30-day prescription versus $40 to $100 under a commercial plan's formulary. Many VA-enrolled veterans in groups 5-8 hold both VA enrollment for pharmacy access and an ACA marketplace plan for broader outpatient network access.
Option 3: TRICARE (Military Retirees and Eligible Dependents)
TRICARE is the Department of Defense health program for active duty service members, military retirees (20+ years of qualifying service), and their eligible family members. Unlike VA health care, TRICARE is a comprehensive insurance product covering the full range of medical services through a network of military hospitals and civilian TRICARE-contracted providers. Military retirees under age 65 typically choose between TRICARE Prime (HMO-style, lowest copays, $0 to $360 annual premium for retirees), TRICARE Select (PPO-style, larger network, modest cost shares), and TRICARE for Life (secondary to Medicare, for retirees at age 65 and older). A service-connected disabled veteran who also qualifies for TRICARE as a military retiree can use both: VA for service-connected conditions and TRICARE for non-VA care.
Option 4: CHAMPVA (Dependents of 100% Disabled or Deceased Veterans)
CHAMPVA is the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, covering spouses and children of veterans who are 100% permanently and totally service-connected disabled, or who died from a service-connected condition. CHAMPVA is distinct from TRICARE: a veteran's dependent who qualifies for TRICARE (military retiree family) is not eligible for CHAMPVA. CHAMPVA has no premiums, a $50 annual inpatient deductible and $50 outpatient deductible, then 75% VA cost-share with the beneficiary paying 25%, capped at $3,000 out-of-pocket annually. CHAMPVA beneficiaries are NOT eligible for ACA marketplace premium tax credits because CHAMPVA is considered minimum essential coverage.
Option 5: ACA Marketplace Plan for Veterans
VA health care and ACA marketplace coverage can coexist. Holding both is a strategy many VA-enrolled veterans use: VA handles service-connected and primary care, while a marketplace plan fills gaps in dental, vision, specialist access, or out-of-network hospital coverage that VA community care may not reach quickly. Veterans without other coverage who have income between 100% and 400% FPL in 2026 (that is, $15,960 to $63,840 for a single person) are eligible for Premium Tax Credits on the marketplace. The 2026 subsidy cliff is in effect: enhanced PTCs from the Inflation Reduction Act expired January 1, 2026, so subsidies phase down approaching 400% FPL and stop at that threshold. Above 400% FPL, a veteran pays full marketplace sticker price.
Veterans who hold VA health care enrollment are generally not disqualified from marketplace coverage, but they cannot receive Premium Tax Credits for months in which their VA coverage meets minimum essential coverage standards. VA health care (when the veteran is actually enrolled and using the system) does count as minimum essential coverage, which blocks PTC eligibility for those months. A veteran who is VA-eligible but not yet enrolled has no minimum essential coverage from VA, and CAN qualify for marketplace PTCs during that gap. If VA enrollment is pending, apply for marketplace coverage to avoid a coverage gap, then coordinate once VA enrollment is confirmed.
Traps That Cost Veterans Thousands
Veterans are targeted by coverage myths and enrollment errors that can result in uncovered bills or lost benefits. These are the most common 2026 traps:
Common traps for Veterans| Trap | Why it hurts |
|---|
| Assuming VA enrollment is automatic after discharge | VA health care requires an active application. Veterans who never enrolled after service have no VA coverage, even if they have a service-connected disability rating. File your enrollment application at VA.gov or call 1-800-827-1000. There is no deadline to enroll if you have a service-connected condition. |
| Missing the PACT Act expansion window | The PACT Act of 2022 added presumptive service connections for toxic exposures (burn pits in Iraq/Afghanistan, Agent Orange, radiation, Camp Lejeune water contamination). Veterans who were previously denied or never applied may now qualify for priority group 1-6 placement. The VA opened enrollment for PACT Act-eligible veterans with no service-connected ratings on March 5, 2024, with no enrollment deadline. |
| Confusing TRICARE eligibility with VA enrollment | TRICARE and VA health care are separate systems with different eligibility rules. TRICARE is run by the Department of Defense and requires active duty or 20+ years of qualifying retirement service. VA health care is run by the Department of Veterans Affairs and is based on discharge status, service-connected rating, and income. A service-connected disabled veteran who never served 20 years does not qualify for TRICARE, but does qualify for VA health care. |
| Enrolling in Medicare Part B late if you have TRICARE for Life | Military retirees need Medicare Part A and Part B to use TRICARE for Life (TFL). Delaying Part B enrollment because you have TRICARE Prime or Select can cause permanent Part B late-enrollment penalties (10% per 12-month delay period, for life). Enroll in Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period (the 7-month window around your 65th birthday) even if TRICARE seems sufficient on its own. |
| Choosing a CHAMPVA-disqualifying marketplace plan | CHAMPVA beneficiaries cannot receive ACA Premium Tax Credits because CHAMPVA is minimum essential coverage. Applying for marketplace subsidies while on CHAMPVA creates an overpayment that the IRS will reclaim at tax time via Form 1095-A reconciliation. CHAMPVA dependents who want supplemental dental or vision coverage should look at CHAMPVA supplemental plans, not marketplace plans. |
VA enrollment errors are among the most costly coverage mistakes veterans make. When in doubt, contact your VA Patient Advocate or a VSO (Veterans Service Organization) such as the American Legion, VFW, or DAV for free enrollment assistance.
Source: VA.gov, TRICARE.mil, CMS.gov, VFW
VA Priority Groups 1-8: What Your Group Means in 2026
VA health care assigns every enrolled veteran a priority group from 1 to 8. The group determines your copay schedule, not whether you receive care. Priority group 1 is assigned to veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 50% or higher. Priority group 2 is assigned for ratings of 30% to 40%. Priority group 3 is a broad group that includes veterans who were former prisoners of war, Purple Heart recipients, veterans with certain service-connected Agent Orange or radiation exposures, and veterans given an honorable discharge for disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. Priority group 4 covers veterans receiving VA pension or Aid and Attendance benefits. Priority groups 5 through 8 are income-based, with group 5 serving veterans below the VA means-test threshold (approximately $45,000 single / $55,000 married in 2026, varying by county) and groups 6-8 serving veterans at progressively higher incomes who agreed to pay copays for non-service-connected care.
The PACT Act of 2022 significantly reshuffled priority group assignments for thousands of veterans. Veterans with documented exposure to toxic burn pits, Agent Orange, radiation, or contaminated water at Camp Lejeune can now receive a presumptive service connection without having to prove a direct link between the exposure and their current condition. Many veterans who were previously in priority groups 7 or 8 (income-based, paying copays) have been reclassified to group 6 or higher (service-connected, zero or reduced copays) following a successful PACT Act claim. If your priority group was assigned before August 2022, it is worth contacting the VA to reassess whether the PACT Act changes your group.
Premium Tax Credit (PTC) Eligibility for Veterans in 2026
Veterans who are not enrolled in VA health care, TRICARE, or CHAMPVA, and whose household income falls between 100% and 400% of the Federal Poverty Level, are eligible for the Premium Tax Credit (PTC) on the ACA marketplace in 2026. For a single veteran, that income range is $15,960 to $63,840 in 2026. For a family of four, the range is $33,000 to $132,000. Subsidies phase down as income climbs toward 400% FPL and stop entirely at that threshold. Veterans above 400% FPL pay full marketplace sticker price. The enhanced PTCs from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 expired January 1, 2026, and the subsidy cliff is back.
Veterans who are enrolled in and using VA health care generally cannot claim the Premium Tax Credit for those same months, because VA enrollment counts as minimum essential coverage under the ACA. However, VA health care does NOT cover dental, vision, or many non-service-connected specialist visits, which is why a significant number of VA-enrolled veterans supplement with a marketplace dental-and-vision plan or a short-term plan for provider access. When filing taxes, marketplace enrollees who received PTC advance payments will reconcile using Form 1095-A from the marketplace, reporting actual income versus projected MAGI. Veterans receiving VA disability compensation should note that VA disability payments are NOT counted as taxable income and do NOT count toward MAGI for ACA subsidy purposes.
VA + Medicare: How the Two Programs Coordinate in 2026
Veterans who turn 65 become eligible for Medicare Parts A and B independent of their VA enrollment status. The VA does NOT automatically enroll veterans in Medicare, and Medicare does NOT automatically enroll VA beneficiaries. A veteran must separately sign up for Medicare through the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov or medicare.gov during their Initial Enrollment Period, the 7-month window that starts 3 months before the month of their 65th birthday. Missing this window can cause permanent Part B premium penalties (10% per 12-month delay period, for life). Most veterans with any active VA enrollment should enroll in Medicare Part A at age 65, because Part A has no premium for most veterans (funded by the Medicare tax paid during service and any subsequent employment). Veterans who want supplemental coverage after 65 should compare Medigap vs Medicare Advantage before choosing a path.
VA health care and Medicare do not formally coordinate claims. The VA pays for VA-authorized care at VA facilities and community care partners; Medicare pays for Medicare-covered care at Medicare-participating providers. When a VA-enrolled veteran receives care at a non-VA Medicare provider without a VA referral, Medicare pays and the VA does not. When a veteran receives authorized VA community care, the VA pays and Medicare does not. The practical benefit of holding both: a VA-enrolled veteran with Medicare Part A and B has full backup coverage for any care the VA cannot provide on a timely basis, including emergency care outside the VA network. Many VA-enrolled veterans also evaluate Medicare Advantage plans that coordinate with VA benefits: Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) and VA-affiliated Medicare Advantage plans like CHAMPVA-supplement products offer coordinated billing for veterans who use both systems.
HSA and HDHP Fit for Veterans in 2026
Veterans who hold VA health care enrollment face a restriction that most non-veteran enrollees do not: a veteran enrolled in VA health care for any non-service-connected conditions is generally not eligible to contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA), even if they are covered by a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) through the marketplace or a spouse's employer. IRS rules require that an HSA contributor not be covered by any health plan that pays for services before the HDHP deductible is met, with limited exceptions. VA health care coverage for non-service-connected conditions violates this rule. The key nuance: VA health care covering ONLY service-connected conditions (meaning the veteran has never used VA for non-service-connected care) may preserve HSA eligibility. This is a complex determination that depends on how the VA has actually paid claims, not just enrollment status.
Veterans who are TRICARE Prime or Select enrollees (and not enrolled in VA health care) face a similar HSA restriction, because TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select are not High-Deductible Health Plans. TRICARE for Life is secondary to Medicare, and HSA eligibility requires that your primary coverage be an HDHP, which Medicare is not. As a result, most veterans and military retirees enrolled in TRICARE or VA health care are not HSA-eligible. The exception: a veteran or military retiree who uses only a marketplace HDHP as their coverage (not VA, not TRICARE) would be eligible for HSA contributions. For 2026, the HSA contribution limit is $4,400 for self-only coverage and $8,750 for family coverage, with a $1,000 catch-up contribution allowed at age 55+. A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is employer-only and not available to veterans relying on VA or marketplace coverage without an employer W-2 plan.
Marketplace Special Enrollment Period (SEP) Triggers for Veterans in 2026
Veterans who separate from active duty lose their TRICARE active-duty coverage, which triggers a 60-day Marketplace Special Enrollment Period. Separating service members should apply for marketplace coverage within 60 days of losing TRICARE active-duty coverage to avoid a gap. Veterans who gain VA health care enrollment do not lose their ability to hold a marketplace plan, but as explained above, VA enrollment typically blocks PTC eligibility. The standard marketplace SEP window is 60 days before or after most qualifying life events, as defined in 45 CFR 155.420.
- Separation from active duty / loss of TRICARE active-duty coverage: 60-day SEP window from last day of coverage
- Marriage or gaining a dependent (birth, adoption): 60-day SEP from the qualifying event
- Divorce or legal separation (loss of coverage through a spouse's plan): 60-day SEP
- Moving to a new state or county with different marketplace plans: 60-day SEP from move date
- Income change that crosses the Medicaid/CHIP threshold (gain or loss of Medicaid eligibility): year-round enrollment
- Turning 26 and aging off a parent's plan: 60-day SEP from the 26th birthday (ACA Section 2714)
- Loss of CHAMPVA eligibility (death of the qualifying veteran sponsor): 60-day SEP
How to Enroll in VA Health Care and Coordinate Coverage in 2026
VA health care enrollment is open year-round for most veterans with a service-connected disability rating. Veterans without a service-connected rating may enroll during Priority Group 5-8 open enrollment, subject to VA capacity. The fastest way to enroll in 2026 is online at VA.gov/health-care/apply/. Most veterans can complete the 10-10EZ application in 20 to 30 minutes. Bring your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), Social Security number, insurance information (Medicare, TRICARE, or marketplace plan, if any), and recent income information for priority group determination.
- Step 1: Locate your DD-214 (request a copy at archives.gov if you lost it). This is your proof of service and discharge status.
- Step 2: Go to VA.gov/health-care/apply/ and complete Form 10-10EZ online, or download and mail it to your nearest VA medical center.
- Step 3: Include any VA disability rating documentation, income information, and current insurance coverage details. Priority group 1-4 veterans skip the income means test.
- Step 4: After enrollment is confirmed, schedule your first primary care appointment at your assigned VA medical center or community care partner.
- Step 5: If you also need marketplace coverage, visit HealthCare.gov to compare plans. Remember that active VA enrollment may block Premium Tax Credit eligibility for the months you use VA benefits.
Documents needed for VA health care enrollment in 2026| Document | Purpose | Where to get it |
|---|
| DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge) | Proves honorable/general discharge and service dates | archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records |
| Social Security card or number | Identity verification and Medicare enrollment coordination | Social Security Administration |
| VA disability rating letter (if applicable) | Determines priority group 1-4 placement; no income test required | VA.gov benefits portal or VA Regional Office |
| Most recent federal tax return or income statement | Required for priority group 5-8 income means test | IRS.gov (Get Transcript) or employer W-2 |
| Medicare card (if age 65+) | Coordinates VA and Medicare billing | Medicare.gov or Social Security Administration |
| TRICARE enrollment documentation (if applicable) | Establishes secondary coordination of benefits | TRICARE.mil beneficiary portal |
Common reasons VA enrollment applications are delayed or denied: missing or unacceptable DD-214, discharge status other than honorable or general under honorable conditions (other-than-honorable discharges require a VA review), income documentation gap for priority groups 5-8, or duplicate enrollment application. A Veterans Service Organization (VSO) such as the VFW, American Legion, or DAV can assist at no cost.
Source: VA.gov, National Archives, SSA.gov
Catastrophic Plan Eligibility and Form 7206 for Veterans in 2026
ACA catastrophic plans are restricted to enrollees under age 30 or those with a qualifying hardship exemption. Veterans who are 30 or older are not eligible for marketplace catastrophic plans unless they qualify for a hardship exemption (such as homelessness, domestic violence, or unaffordability). Veterans under 30 who need marketplace coverage (for example, a recently separated service member transitioning off TRICARE active-duty coverage) CAN enroll in a catastrophic plan. The 2026 catastrophic plan deductible is $10,600 for individual coverage, matching the ACA marketplace out-of-pocket maximum, making these plans appropriate only for healthy young veterans who want a low-premium safety net.
Form 7206, the self-employed health insurance deduction, does not apply to veterans unless the veteran also has self-employment income. VA disability compensation is not self-employment income. A veteran who operates a business or freelances as a sole proprietor on top of receiving VA benefits CAN use Form 7206 to deduct health insurance premiums against their net self-employment earnings, reducing income tax only, NOT self-employment tax on Schedule SE. Veterans with W-2 employment or purely VA/TRICARE benefits and no Schedule C income have no use for Form 7206.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest health insurance option for veterans in 2026?
For most veterans, VA health care is the lowest-cost option. Priority group 1-4 veterans pay $0 for service-connected care and low or no copays for other services. Military retirees with 20+ years of service have TRICARE Prime at $0 to $360/year in premiums, which is among the lowest-cost comprehensive plans available anywhere. Veterans without service-connected conditions or retirement eligibility can still enroll in VA health care at priority groups 5-8 with income-based copays, or pursue a subsidized ACA marketplace plan if income is under 400% FPL ($63,840 single in 2026). The key first step is determining your priority group by applying at VA.gov.
Do veterans qualify for the Premium Tax Credit on the ACA marketplace?
Veterans can qualify for the Premium Tax Credit (PTC) if their income is between 100% and 400% FPL and they are not enrolled in VA health care, TRICARE, or CHAMPVA as minimum essential coverage. In 2026, 100% FPL for a single person is $15,960 and 400% FPL is $63,840. Veterans who ARE enrolled in and using VA health care cannot claim the PTC for those months because VA enrollment counts as minimum essential coverage. VA disability compensation is excluded from MAGI for PTC purposes, which means veterans with high disability payments but low other income may still qualify for significant marketplace subsidies if they choose marketplace coverage over VA enrollment.
Can veterans use a Health Savings Account (HSA)?
Most VA-enrolled veterans and TRICARE enrollees cannot contribute to an HSA. VA health care covering any non-service-connected conditions is not a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and does not qualify as HSA-compatible coverage under IRS rules. TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select are also not HDHPs. TRICARE for Life is secondary to Medicare, and Medicare enrollees are not HSA-eligible. The exception: a veteran who uses only a marketplace HDHP (no VA enrollment for non-service-connected care, no TRICARE) can contribute to an HSA. For 2026, the HSA limit is $4,400 self-only and $8,750 family. A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is employer-only and unavailable to veterans without a W-2 employer plan.
How does TRICARE for Life work with Medicare for military retirees?
TRICARE for Life (TFL) acts as secondary coverage after Medicare Parts A and B for military retirees who are age 65 or older. Medicare pays first; TRICARE for Life pays most or all of the Medicare cost-shares (deductibles and coinsurance). To use TFL, you must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Failing to enroll in Part B at age 65 means losing TRICARE for Life benefits and facing a permanent Part B premium penalty of 10% for each 12 months you delayed. Most military retirees pay the standard Medicare Part B premium ($202.90/month in 2026) and TRICARE for Life covers nearly all remaining costs, making TFL one of the most comprehensive low-cost combinations available to any Medicare beneficiary.
What does the PACT Act of 2022 change for VA health care enrollment?
The PACT Act of 2022 (full name: Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act) expanded VA health care eligibility in two major ways: (1) it added presumptive service connections for dozens of conditions linked to toxic exposures including burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan, Agent Orange, radiation, and Camp Lejeune water contamination, meaning veterans no longer have to prove a direct causal link; and (2) it opened VA enrollment to post-9/11 combat veterans with no service-connected rating for 10 years of eligibility. Veterans who were previously denied or never applied may now qualify for priority group 6 or higher. The enrollment window opened March 5, 2024, with no stated expiration. Apply at VA.gov.
When can veterans enroll in a marketplace plan outside of open enrollment?
Veterans qualify for a Marketplace Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for any standard qualifying life event: losing TRICARE active-duty coverage after separation (60-day window), losing coverage through divorce or loss of a spouse's plan (60-day window), having a baby or adopting (60-day window), moving states (60-day window), or losing CHAMPVA eligibility after the death of the qualifying veteran sponsor (60-day window). Marketplace open enrollment for 2027 coverage runs November 1, 2026 through January 15, 2027. Veterans who experience any coverage loss should apply for marketplace coverage within 60 days to avoid a gap. Visit HealthCare.gov to start a SEP enrollment.
Can veterans get dental and vision coverage through the VA?
VA dental coverage is limited. Veterans in priority groups 1-3 with a service-connected dental condition receive free dental care for that condition. Veterans 100% disabled by a service-connected condition receive comprehensive VA dental care. All other veterans may be eligible for VA dental care based on participation in specific VA programs (vocational rehabilitation, past POW status, or certain VA dental studies). For vision, VA covers eye care for veterans with a service-connected eye condition; routine vision care may be available based on priority group and VA capacity. Most VA-enrolled veterans who want routine dental and vision coverage supplement with a standalone marketplace dental/vision plan or a low-cost standalone dental plan from a private insurer.
What is CHAMPVA and who qualifies?
CHAMPVA is the VA's health benefits program for spouses and dependents of veterans who are 100% permanently and totally service-connected disabled, or who died from a service-connected condition, or who died in the line of duty. CHAMPVA is separate from TRICARE and applies to those not otherwise eligible for TRICARE (military retiree family members get TRICARE, not CHAMPVA). CHAMPVA has no premiums, a $50 annual inpatient and outpatient deductible, and a 75/25 cost-share arrangement with a $3,000 annual out-of-pocket cap. CHAMPVA beneficiaries who are also Medicare-eligible should enroll in Medicare Part A and B, as CHAMPVA coordinates with Medicare to nearly eliminate out-of-pocket costs. Apply through the VA Health Eligibility Center at 1-800-733-8387 or va.gov/health-care/family-caregiver-benefits/champva/.
