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You are not a burden. Asking for help is wisdom in motion. — Patient Advocate

The Murray Standard Navigator

Your Trusted Guide Through Healthcare.

Veterans care

Healthcare for active, retired & reserve veterans

You earned this care. Whether you're active duty, in the Guard/Reserve, retired, or transitioned out years ago, here's how to enroll and find medical, dental, vision, and mental health services through the VA, TRICARE, CHAMPVA, and community partners across all 50 states.

In crisis right now?

Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then press 1 · Text 838255 · Chat at veteranscrisisline.net. Confidential, 24/7, free — and you don't need to be enrolled in VA to use it.

Enrollment & eligibility

Start here. The PACT Act dramatically expanded eligibility — if you were denied before, reapply. A free Veterans Service Officer can file for you.

VA Health Care Enrollment

Apply online, by phone (877-222-8387), by mail, or in person. Most veterans who served on active duty and didn't receive a dishonorable discharge qualify. PACT Act expanded eligibility for toxic-exposed veterans.

PACT Act — Toxic Exposure Benefits

Post-9/11 and Vietnam-era vets exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, or radiation now qualify for expanded VA health care and disability — even if previously denied.

TRICARE (Active Duty, Reserves, Retired)

Health coverage for active duty, National Guard/Reserve (TRICARE Reserve Select), retirees (TRICARE Prime/Select), and family members. Different plans depending on status — compare at tricare.mil/Plans.

CHAMPVA — Dependents & Survivors

Health coverage for spouses, dependents, and survivors of veterans rated permanently and totally disabled or who died in the line of duty. Not the same as TRICARE.

VA Priority Groups (1–8)

Your priority group determines copays and how quickly you're enrolled. Service-connected disability, Purple Heart, former POW, and low income place you in higher-priority groups.

Veterans Service Officers (VSO) — Free Help

Accredited VSOs (DAV, VFW, American Legion, state offices) file claims and appeals at no cost. Highly recommended before submitting any VA benefits paperwork.

Medical care

VA hospitals, community clinics (CBOCs), TRICARE network providers, and MISSION Act community care for vets who live far from a VA.

Find a VA Medical Facility

Locate VA hospitals, clinics (CBOCs), and Vet Centers anywhere in the U.S. Filter by services offered: primary care, specialty care, mental health, dental, vision.

VA Community Care (Non-VA Providers)

If a VA facility is too far, has long wait times, or doesn't offer the service you need, VA can authorize care from a community provider at no cost to you.

My HealtheVet — Patient Portal

Refill prescriptions, message your VA care team, view labs and appointments, download your medical records. Free account for any enrolled veteran.

Veterans Choice / MISSION Act Eligibility

Under the MISSION Act, you may qualify for community care if your drive to a VA is over 30 minutes for primary care or 60 minutes for specialty care.

TRICARE Find a Doctor

Search the network for your TRICARE plan (Prime, Select, For Life, Reserve Select). Always confirm the provider accepts your specific plan before booking.

Caregiver Support Program

Stipends, training, respite care, and mental health support for family caregivers of post-9/11 (and now pre-9/11) veterans with serious injuries or illnesses.

Dental care

Free VA dental is limited to specific groups. Most veterans use VADIP, TRICARE Dental, or FEDVIP. Donated services exist for those who can't afford coverage.

VA Dental Care Eligibility

Free comprehensive VA dental if you're 100% service-connected, a former POW, homeless, or have a service-connected dental disability. Limited care for other groups.

VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP)

Discounted dental insurance through Delta Dental or MetLife for any enrolled veteran and CHAMPVA beneficiary — even if not eligible for free VA dental.

TRICARE Dental Program (Active Duty Families & Reserve)

Active duty get dental through military clinics. Families enroll in TDP (United Concordia). Retirees use the FEDVIP program at BENEFEDS.com.

FEDVIP — Retiree Dental & Vision

Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program is open to military retirees and their families. Multiple carriers and plan tiers available during Open Season (Nov–Dec).

Dental Lifeline Network — Donated Dental Services

Free comprehensive dental care from volunteer dentists for veterans who are disabled, elderly, or medically fragile and can't afford treatment.

Aspen Dental Healthy Mouth Movement

Annual free dental care day for veterans (typically around Veterans Day). Cleanings, fillings, extractions, and dentures at participating locations nationwide.

Vision care

Routine eye exams are covered for all enrolled vets. Eyeglasses require a service connection or specific eligibility. Lions Clubs and Operation Sight help fill the gaps.

VA Vision Care

Routine eye exams are covered for all enrolled veterans. Eyeglasses are provided if you have a service-connected condition, Purple Heart, former POW status, or specific medical conditions.

VA Blind & Low Vision Rehabilitation

Comprehensive blind rehab centers, low-vision clinics, adaptive technology training, and visual impairment services teams (VIST) for legally blind veterans.

TRICARE Vision Coverage

Eye exam coverage varies by plan and status. Active duty get full coverage; family members and retirees should check plan specifics. FEDVIP offers add-on vision insurance.

FEDVIP Vision Insurance

Add-on vision coverage for retirees and families: exams, frames, lenses, contacts, and discounts on LASIK. Enroll during Open Season (Nov–Dec).

Lions Club VisionCare for Veterans

Local Lions Clubs provide free or reduced-cost eye exams and eyeglasses to low-income veterans through partnerships with optometrists nationwide.

Operation Sight — Free Cataract Surgery

Free cataract surgery for uninsured low-income Americans, including veterans, through a network of volunteer ophthalmologists.

Mental health care

PTSD, depression, MST, substance use, and suicide prevention. VA offers same-day appointments; Vet Centers and Cohen clinics provide free care without VA enrollment.

Veterans Crisis Line — Dial 988, then Press 1

24/7 confidential support for veterans and their families. Call 988 (press 1), text 838255, or chat online. You don't have to be enrolled in VA to use it.

VA Mental Health Services

PTSD treatment, depression and anxiety care, MST (military sexual trauma) counseling, substance use treatment, suicide prevention. Same-day mental health appointments available.

Vet Centers — Free Counseling (No Enrollment Needed)

300+ community-based counseling centers for combat veterans, MST survivors, and bereaved families. Free, confidential, no VA enrollment or service-connection required.

Cohen Veterans Network Clinics

High-quality, low-cost mental health care for post-9/11 veterans and their families — regardless of discharge status. Telehealth available in all 50 states.

Give an Hour — Free Mental Health Services

National network of volunteer mental health professionals providing free, confidential care to veterans, service members, and their loved ones.

PTSD Coach App (VA)

Free self-help app from the VA National Center for PTSD. Symptom tracking, coping tools, and direct links to professional care. Available iOS and Android.

Make the Connection

Veterans share recovery stories and connect to local mental health resources. Helpful first step for vets unsure whether to seek care.

State & local resources

Every state has its own VA benefits, veterans homes, and tax breaks. Local 211 lines connect you to housing, transport, and emergency aid.

State Departments of Veterans Affairs

Every state has its own VA office offering state-level benefits: property tax exemptions, tuition waivers, state veterans homes (long-term care and dental), and bonus claim help.

State Veterans Homes

Long-term skilled nursing, domiciliary care, and adult day care in 158 state-run homes. VA per-diem support makes them affordable for eligible veterans.

211 Veterans Services

Dial 211 anywhere in the U.S. for local help: housing, food, mental health, transportation to medical appointments, and emergency financial assistance for veterans.

Wounded Warrior Project

Programs for post-9/11 wounded veterans: mental health (Warrior Care Network), physical health, financial wellness, peer support, and family support.

Quick checklist before any VA or TRICARE appointment

Have your VA ID card, DD-214 (or service ID), and a list of current medications ready.
If using community care, confirm the referral and authorization number — show it to the front desk.
For TRICARE, verify the provider is in-network for your specific plan (Prime/Select/Reserve/For Life).
Check copay rules for your VA priority group — many veterans pay $0 and don't realize it.
Ask about travel reimbursement (VA Beneficiary Travel) if you traveled over 50 miles for care.
Bring a Veterans Service Officer or family member if you're filing a disability claim from the visit.
After the appointment, request a copy of your visit notes and download them in My HealtheVet.

Need help navigating veterans benefits?

Tell the advocate your service status (active, reserve, retired, separated), service-connected rating if any, ZIP code, and what kind of care you need. It can match you to the right VA program, TRICARE plan, or community resource.

Get veterans care help