VA Greater Los Angeles - Enrollment Info

ENROLLMENT FOR VA HEALTHCARE

The Department of Veterans Affairs operates the largest and best integrated health care system in the United States. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations consistently ranks VA medical centers and clinics higher in quality than most private hospitals. Yet surprisingly, most veterans know little about the high quality of VA health services, their eligibility for these services, or how to enroll in the system.

Most veterans are eligible for free or low-cost VA health care but have not yet used their earned benefits. With services ranging from basic visits with your doctor to hospitalization to long-term nursing home care, the VA can meet all your health needs in modern fully-accredited facilities.

If you are a United States armed forces veteran, wartime or peacetime, male or female, living in the Greater Los Angeles Region, which encompasses areas as far North as San Luis Obispo, Northeast to Bakersfield, and South past Gardena, the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System can provide you with high quality health care. Our physicians are licensed, leaders in their field, and have expertise in the latest medical techniques.

If you're a veteran in another area, please phone your local VA medical center or clinic. For information about VA facilities nationwide, connect to the VA national facility locator page.

WHAT IS VA ENROLLMENT AND HOW DO I ENROLL?

VA Enrollment is a system providing access for veterans to a comprehensive package of VA healthcare services. And, it's easy to use!

Just answer a few questions and you will be assigned by VA to one of the newly established priority groups. VA will then send a letter confirming your enrollment and assignment. That's it!

VA will extend enrollment to every group for which resources are available. The enrollment process began in October 1997 and is repeated every year.

You must be enrolled to receive healthcare unless you are in one of the following categories:

You are rated by VA as having a service-connected disability of 50 percent or more
It has been less than one year since you were discharged from military service for a compensable disability that the military determined was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, and which has not yet been rated by VA.
You are seeking care from VA only for a service-connected disability.

VA encourages veterans in the above categories to also apply for enrollment so we can better plan for your healthcare needs.

Starting in October 1997, all veterans may apply by contacting the nearest VA healthcare facility. If you have received VA healthcare services after October 1, 1996, you do not need to apply. In this case, VA processed an application on your behalf. Your initial enrollment was confirmed in writing between June and September 1998. Veterans can apply for enrollment at any facility, at anytime during any year.

You will remain enrolled for one year. Your enrollment will be reviewed and renewed each year depending upon your priority group and available resources. If VA cannot renew your enrollment for another year you will be notified in writing 60 days before your enrollment expires.

VA Healthcare Enrollment Priority Groups

Priority Group 1

Veterans with service-connected* conditions rated 50 percent or more disabling

Priority Group 5

Nonservice-connected veterans and service-connected veterans rated zero percent disabled, whose income and net worth are below the established dollar thresholds

Priority Group 2

Veterans with service-connected conditions rated 30 or 40 percent disabling

Priority Group 6

All other eligible veterans who are not required to make copayments for their care including:
- World War I and Mexican Border War veterans
- Veterans solely seeking care for disorders associated with exposure to a toxic substance, radiation or for disorders associated with service in the Persian Gulf.
- Compensable zero percent service-connected veterans

Priority Group 3

Veterans who are former POWs
Veterans with service-connected conditions rated 10 or 20 percent disabling
Veterans discharged from active duty for compensable conditions
Veterans awarded special eligibility classification (38 USC, Section 1151)

Priority Group 7

Nonservice-connected veterans and noncompensable zero percent service-connected veterans with income and net worth above the statutory threshold and who agree to pay specified copayments

Priority Group 4

Veterans who are receiving aid and attendance or housebound benefits
Veterans who have been determined by VA to be catastrophically disabled

*The term service-connected refers to a VA decision that your illness or injury was incurred in or aggravated by military service.

1010EZ Application For Benefits Enrollment Form

Eligibility Reform Resource Kit	Eligibility Reform Home Page

If you have questions about other non-medical VA benefits, such as educational opportunities, home loans, burial in national cemeteries, etc., call your VA Regional Office at 1-800-827-1000.

2001

Last Updated:August 2002