Navigating Military Community Healthcare Options

VA Health Care

Most veterans who enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, or who entered active duty after Oct. 16, 1981, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which called to active duty. This includes current and former members of the Reserve or National Guard called to active duty by a federal order. Find out if you are eligible for VA healthcare as a veteran.

https://www.choose.va.gov/health
Providing care at 1,380 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,193 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) and one (1) EHR

TRICARE

TRICARE Prime –
Similar to a Civilian HMO

TRICARE Select –
Similar to a Civilian PPO

TRICARE for Life (TFL)-
Medicare A/B plus TFL

Insights & Tips #SitRep episode

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Leaving Active Duty

When leaving active duty, service members may be entitled to or eligible for benefits offered by TRICARE and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), depending on whether the service member retires or separates. If retiring, the service member is eligible for TRICARE as a military retiree and may also be eligible for certain VA benefits. Service members who separate due to a service-connected disease or disability may be eligible for VA benefits and certain TRICARE benefits.

Eligibility

Retired Service members may be eligible for both TRICARE and VA benefits. This means that health care may be covered by TRICARE and/or VA benefits. For most health care needs, TRICARE may be the main source of coverage.

• Does VA participate in the TRICARE Network?
  • Yes, since 1995, VA health care facilities have participated as TRICARE Network Providers.
  • VA can provide care for Active Duty Service Members, military retirees, & family members under their TRICARE benefit - on a space available basis.
  • Each VA health care facility can serve as primary care manager for TRICARE beneficiaries, but more often TRICARE referrals are used for specialty care.

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TRICARE vs. VA Benefit Comparison – by Types of Services

https://tricare.mil/LifeEvents/InjuredonAD/TransitionVA/BenefitComparison.aspx

Outpatient Services	Prescriptions
Inpatient Services	Supplies
Preventive Services	Dental Care

• TRICARE Benefits: May vary depending on your health plan selection, rules and costs
• VA Benefits: Your eligibility and copayment depend upon discharge, service-connection or income