The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on November 10, 2023, that all World War II veterans are now eligible for no-cost VA inpatient and outpatient healthcare.
WWII veterans who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, are now eligible for VA healthcare, regardless of their length of service or financial status; and will not have to pay inpatient or outpatient copays, enrollment fees, or monthly premiums.
VA will reach out, by phone and mail, to encourage WWII veterans (who are not currently enrolled in VA care) to apply. Veterans who enroll may also keep their private providers, Medicare, and most other insurance to meet their healthcare needs.
For those veterans who were not approved for VA healthcare in the past, due to income limits, should apply again; as income levels no longer apply due to this expansion. VA cannot automatically enroll these veterans in healthcare; WWII veterans must apply for VA healthcare if they are not currently enrolled.
While World War II veterans will no longer have to pay inpatient or outpatient copays, they may still have to pay modest medication or urgent care or long-term care copayments in some cases, depending on their eligibility and service connection.
To apply for VA health care, visit VA’s health care enrollment website, call 1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411), or visit your nearest VA medical center or clinic.
NOTE: Nursing home care is free (no copays) for nearly all World War II Veterans who are eligible for nursing home services at VA, including (1) anyone in need of such care for a service-connected disability, (2) anyone in need of such care who also has a service-connected disability rated at 70 percent or more. However, contrary to the language of the release, not all World War II Veterans are eligible for nursing home care under this new law.
Again, VA did not grant free nursing home care for all World War II Veterans.