Eligibility and Enrollment
If you served on active duty in the military and were discharged under honorable conditions, you are a Veteran. As a woman Veteran, you may be eligible for VA health care benefits, including gender-specific care.
Even if you don't qualify for VA health care, you may still be able to get certain health care and other benefits and services from VA. This includes one year of mental health care following separation, and care related to military sexual trauma (MST). PACT Act, a law that expands VA health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances, may also cange your eligibility.
Eligibility for health care benefits varies by Veteran. You don't have to be disabled to receive health care services at VA. Different factors determine how much you have to pay (copays) for health care services. There may be additional eligibility criteria for certain types of care, like some fertility services or care related to a service-connected condition. Work with your VA primary care provider once you are enrolled to access these services. Learn more on how to enroll and apply for VA health care on the How to Apply page.
Your priority group affects how soon you are signed up for health care benefits and how much you'll have to pay (if anything) for your care. Learn about priority groups.
Regardless of your priority group or eligibility, you can get medical treatment without copays if VA grants you service connection for an injury or illness — even if you're rated at 0%. This includes required medication, treatments, and supplies for granted conditions.
Eligibility and Enrollment Outreach Handout
Your VA benefits include personalized, comprehensive health care such as routine check-ups, cancer screenings, birth control, mammograms, maternity care, and more. VA also offers mental health care tailored to women Veterans. You are welcome at VA and will be treated with the respect you deserve. Eligibility and Enrollment Outreach Handout.
What if I do not qualify for VA health care?
All former service members and Veterans can get free mental health care for one year following separation.
If you experienced MST while serving, you may be able to get MST-related care at VA or a Vet Center even if you're not eligible for other VA health care. Also:
- You don't need to have a VA disability rating to receive these services
- Your disability rating, if you have one, doesn't need to be related to your experiences of MST
- There are no length-of-service or income requirements to receive MST-related care
- You do not need to have reported the incident(s) when they happened or have other documentation that they occurred
If you received an other than honorable, bad conduct, or dishonorable discharge:
- Find out how to apply for a discharge upgrade
- Learn about the Character of Discharge review process.
(Note: you may qualify for VA health benefits without a review or upgrade for mental health concerns or conditions related to MST)
Additional Resources
- Take the online, self-paced Women's Health Transition Training to learn about VA women's health services, benefits, and eligibility
- Listen to the She Wears the Boots podcast series
- Download the VA Benefits and Services Participant Guide to learn more about benefits, services, and eligibility
Women Veterans Health Care Videos
Watch videos for and about Women Veterans.
Women Veterans Health Care Outreach Posters
View our Outreach Posters.
The Women Veterans Call Center is your guide to women's health
If you have questions or can't find what you're looking for, you can call, text, or chat online with the Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC) at 855-829-6636 to get help and find available resources and services in your area. Trained women representatives can also:
- Provide you with information on enrolling in VA health care if you have not already
- Provide you with information on setting up a medical appointment in your area
- Provide you with information about your eligibility (including questions about disability ratings) and other VA benefits like employment, education, and home loans
- Connect you with your local VA Medical Center or local women's health contact who can assist in coordinating all the services you need
WVCC representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET.
