We're making millions of Veterans eligible for VA health care under the PACT Act. Here’s what YOU need to know.

• If you served in Vietnam you can enroll.
• If you never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or serving on active duty here at home or anywhere else – by working with chemicals, pesticides, lead, asbestos, certain paints, nuclear weapons, x-rays, and more – you can enroll, too.

Bottom line: all Veterans who meet the minimum service requirements and were exposed to toxins and other hazards – at home or abroad – are eligible to enroll in VA care.

Apply online: VA.gov/health-care/apply/application/introduction Apply over the phone: Call VA toll-free at 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411), Option 2. Apply in-person: Visit your nearest VA medical center (https://www.VA.gov/find-locations).

VA provides the best and most affordable health care for Veterans in America – and this is your chance to apply. Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care are proven to have better health outcomes than those who get their care elsewhere. And copays can be as low as $0 for prescriptions, urgent care, outpatient care, and more

Even if you don’t think you need this care today, you might need it tomorrow, or the next day, or 30 years from now. All you have to do is enroll, then you have access for life.

So don’t miss this opportunity: better, more affordable health care is waiting for you. Go to VA.gov/PACT and get it. You can also call 1-800-MyVA411 (Option 2) to learn more about these benefits and services, or you can visit your nearest VA Medical Center (https://www.va.gov/find-locations).

What do I get when I enroll?

VA offers world-class, comprehensive health care – including yearly physicals, health assessments, free screenings (including a toxic exposure screening), specialized care for issues related to military service, and more. This is true regardless of whether or not you have a service-connected condition. Our clinicians know Veterans – they often are Veterans themselves – and they are ready to help. 

What are the minimum service requirements?

In general, Veterans must have served 24 months of continuous active duty or the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty. Reserves and National Guard are eligible under this expansion of VA health care if they completed their tour of duty for which they were called or ordered.

Are there exceptions to the minimum active-duty service requirements?

Of course, there are. The minimum active-duty service requirement for VA health care may not apply if any of these are true: The Veteran was discharged or released for a qualifying reason (e.g., early discharge, hardship, medical discharge); The Veteran was discharged for a disability that was caused—or made worse—by active-duty service; The Veteran served prior to the early 1980s.

Please visit www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility for more information.

VA is here for you.

1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411) is always the right number

Veterans Crisis Line: 988 and press 1, Chat, or Text 838255
Vet Centers: 1-877-927-8387
Homeless Veteran Resources: 1-877-424-3838 or Chat

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Disclaimer: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products or services on the part of the VA.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call 988, then PRESS 1 or visit http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/.

Please remember the only secure way to ask personal questions is at VA.gov/contact-us/. 

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