VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York - VISN 2

Health Care Benefits Handbook Contents Welcome How To Apply Introduction to Your Benefits Which Veterans Pay for Which Services Priority Groups - Enrollment Priorities Combat Veterans Your VA Health Care Services Quality Care Financial/Payment Information Questions and Answers Patient Rights and Responsibilities Getting Started (How to Apply) To receive VA health care benefits, most veterans need to enroll. Enrollment is easy. You can apply at any time. You need to complete a one-page application form called VA Form 10-10EZ. You can get this form by: Visiting or calling the nearest VA health care facility Visiting or calling the nearest Veterans Benefits Office Visiting or calling your County Veterans Service Officer Calling the VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York Veterans Service Contact Center (toll free) at 1-888-823-9656 Calling your local Veterans Service Center at: Albany (518) 626-6710 Bath (607) 664-4899 or (607) 664-4898 Canandaigua (585) 393-7348 Rochester (585) 463-2687 Syracuse 1-(888) 838-7890 Western New York Batavia (585) 297-1053 Buffalo (716) 862-8852 Calling VHA (national) toll free at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) Visit the web to download the form Some veterans do not need to enroll to receive VA health care benefits. You do not need to complete an enrollment form if: You have received VA health care services after October 1, 1996. (VA already processed an application for you.) VA has rated you as service connected¹ disabled 50% or more You were released from active duty within the previous 12 months for a disability incurred or aggravated while in the line of duty You are seeking care from VA for a service-connected disability only (even if the rating is 0%) If you fit into one of the above categories, you are not required to apply for enrollment. You are encouraged to apply so the VA can better plan for your health care needs. When VA receives your enrollment application, it will be checked along with your military service record to determine your benefit eligibility. The results will be sent to you in writing. Your enrollment information is reviewed each year. Continued enrollment may depend upon VA’s available funding to provide care. You will be notified in writing if VA cannot renew your enrollment for another year. ¹The term service connected refers to a VA decision that your illness or injury incurred in or was aggravated by military service that resulted in some degree of disability. Generally, VA may pay compensation to you if your service connected disability is determined to be at least 10%. Veterans Health Care Benefits Handbook VISN 2 Home | Sitemap | Alphabetical Site Index | What's New | Contact Us | Plug-ins