Medical insurance is expensive, but your health is priceless. If you are a veteran, especially one who has recently separated, it may be in your best interest to take full advantage of the medical benefits you deserve. Below are tips to help ensure you receive all the care you are entitled, including the documents required to receive those medical benefits.

1. A copy of your discharge certificate, or DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, if available
2. In order to document your service in a theater of combat operations, it would be helpful if you brought any of the following:
- A copy of your Leave and Earnings Statement showing receipt of Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Pay
- Receipt of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Kosovo Campaign Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
- Southwest Asia Campaign Medal
- Proof of exemption of federal tax status for Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Pay
- Orders to a theater of combat operations
3. Complete VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Health Benefits, online. Or, you may obtain the form by:
* Calling VA's Health Benefits Service Center toll free number, 1-877-222-VETS(8387), Monday through Friday between 8a.m. and 8p.m. (Eastern Time)
* Calling or visiting any VA health care facility or VA regional office.

VA Health Care Eligibility Overview
Courtesy of US Department of Veteran Affairs

VA provides a Medical Benefits Package, a standard enhanced health benefits plan available to all enrolled veterans. This plan emphasizes preventive and primary care, and offers a full range of outpatient and inpatient services within VA health care system.

VA maintains an annual enrollment system to manage the provision of quality hospital and outpatient medical care and treatment to all enrolled veterans. A priority system ensures that veterans with service-connected disabilities and those below the low-income threshold are able to be enrolled in VA’s health care system.

* Eligibility for most veterans’ health care benefits is based solely on active military service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard (or Merchant Marines during WW II), and discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
* Reservists and National Guard members who were called to active duty by a Federal Executive Order may qualify for VA health care benefits. Returning service members, including Reservists and National Guard members who served on active duty in a theater of combat operations have special eligibility for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for two years following discharge from active duty.
* Health Care eligibility is not just for those who served in combat.
* Other groups may be eligible for some health benefits.
* Veteran’s health care is not just for service-connected injuries or medical conditions.
* Veteran’s health care facilities are not just for men only. VA offers full-service health care to women veterans.

Visit http://www1.va.gov/health_benefits/ for more information and to determine your eligibility.