Is a veteran and his family eligible for health insurance?

Generally, not every veteran is eligible or entitled for free Veterans Affair (VA) health care. The VA health care delivery system offers care to veteran patients but is different from other insurance plans such as Medicaid or Medicare. In general, a veteran needs to meet particular criteria to qualify for VA healthcare. Some of the requirements include: meet the statutory definition of (1) active duty, (2) veteran, and (3) serve a least period of dynamic duty.

Veterans’ family members are eligible for health benefits under particular circumstances. Some of the programs include; Spina Bifida (SB), Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), Caregiver, Foreign Medical Program (FMP) and Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV). Family members of veterans are not eligible for conscription in the VA health care services. Nonetheless, certain survivors and dependents receive benefits from the VA for particular medical expenses.

According to U.S Department of Veterans Affairs family members play a key role in the support network and good health for the veterans. VA health care may cover family members such as spouses and dependant(s) of particular veterans who are totally and permanently disable or passed on serving the country or in certain cases, veterans with kids diagnosed with Spina Bifida.

The Affordable Care Act or health care law was legislated to offer more American citizens with access to reasonable health insurance, cut health care costs, and improve the quality of health insurance and health care. However, family members not entitled to VA health care or do not qualify for the Affordable Care Act coverage standards can search the private health insurance marketplace to get covered. The marketplace may offer reduced prices on monthly premiums or low-cost coverage via CHIP or Medicaid. Therefore, veterans and their family members are eligible for health insurance if the meet the Affordable Care Act standards.