2/5/2018 Enrolled Veterans -- VA, Affordable Care Act and You

[ - ]

Health Benefits Burials & Memorials About VA Resources News Room Locations Contact Us

I AM A... VA » Health Care » Affordable Care Act » Enrolled

Select One The Affordable Care Act, VA, and You

Health Benefits

Health Benefits Home Enrolled with VA? What You Should Know FOR MORE
INFORMATION
Apply for VA Care
Your Enrollment Means You Don’t Need to Take Additional Steps
Determine Costs
If you are enrolled in any of VA’s programs listed below, you don’t need to 1-877-222-VETS (8387)
Community Care do anything more. You meet the requirements to have health care under the 8 am to 8 pm ET Mon-Fri
health care law:
Affordable Care Act
VA health care program
Overview
Civilian Health and Medical program (CHAMPVA)
Veterans Enrolled Spina bifida health care program
in VA Health Care
The health care law does not change your VA health care benefits or out-of-
Veterans Not Enrolled in VA pocket costs. You can continue to enjoy VA health care, which means you
Health Care have:

Family Members Medical care rated among the best in the U.S.
Immediate benefits of health care coverage. Veterans may apply for VA
Information for Tax Season health care enrollment at any time.
No enrollment fee, monthly premiums, or deductibles. Most Veterans have no
Frequently Asked Questions
out-of-pocket costs. Some Veterans may have to pay small copayments for
Conditions & Treatments health care or prescription drugs.
More than 1,500 places available to get your care. This means your coverage
Wellness Programs can go with you if you travel or move.
Health care coverage that meets the minimum essential coverage standard RESOURCES
Locations
under the law
Research
The goal of the VA health care system is to achieve excellence in patient care ACA Frequently Asked Questions
Special Groups and customer satisfaction. VA’s medical mission is singular — to serve
ACA Fact Sheet
Veterans by providing the highest quality health care available anywhere in the
Careers, Job Help & Training HealthCare.gov
world. America’s Veterans deserve nothing less.
Spread the Word
About VHA
For more information about your health benefits, visit
Family Fact Sheet (pdf)
www.va.gov/healthbenefits anytime or call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) Monday
Glossary (pdf)
QUICK LINKS through Friday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Eastern.
Bookmark (pdf)

You, VA and the Internal Revenue Service

The Affordable Care Act requires most U.S. taxpayers to declare they have
Zip Code minimum essential health coverage on their annual federal income tax return.
In December, VA will begin sending out letters notifying all enrollees and
beneficiaries of their VA health care coverage for the 2017 year. Enclosed with
this letter will be IRS Form 1095-B “Health Coverage,” which includes details
about your VA health care coverage for the 2017 calendar year. You will need
this form to complete and report your coverage on your 2017 income tax return.
Please keep IRS Form 1095-B for your records. The VA will also provide IRS
Form 1095-B to the Internal Revenue Service for every Veteran who received
health care coverage through VA in calendar year 2017, as required by law. If
you or your dependents had a gap in coverage that lasted 3 consecutive
months or more, then you may have to pay what is called the “individual shared
responsibility payment” or penalty. Your 1095-B will reflect which months you
did not have health insurance, if applicable. Please visit

https://www.va.gov/health/aca/EnrolledVeterans.asp 1/2
2/5/2018 Enrolled Veterans -- VA, Affordable Care Act and You
https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/individuals-and-families/questions-and-
answers-on-the-individual-shared-responsibility-provision for more information
on the IRS website for Questions and Answers on the Individual Shared
Responsibility Provision. Expect to receive your 1095-B form by mail on or
before March 02, 2018.

VA and Other Health Insurance

If you have other forms of health care coverage, such as a private insurance
plan, Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE, you can continue to use VA along with
these plans. Remember: it is always a good idea to inform your VA doctor that
you are receiving care outside of VA. This helps your provider to support
coordinated health care that is safe, appropriate, and effective.

Health Insurance Marketplace

The Marketplace is a way to shop for and purchase private health insurance
(for example, health coverage other than VA health care programs) that fits
your budget and meets your needs. People who purchase insurance through
the Marketplace may be able to lower the costs of health insurance coverage
by paying lower monthly premiums. The 2018 Health Insurance Marketplace
open enrollment period is November 1, 2017 through December 15, 2017. For
more information, visit https://www.healthcare.gov/get-coverage/.

Family Members and the Marketplace

Even though you are covered by your VA health care enrollment, your family
members who are not enrolled in a VA health care program and who do not
meet the health care law coverage standards should use the Marketplace to
get coverage. They may get lower costs on monthly premiums or out-of-pocket
costs. They could be eligible for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or
the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). They can submit an
application for health care coverage through the Marketplace, and learn the
amount of assistance for which they are eligible. The 2018 Health Insurance
Marketplace open enrollment period is November 1, 2017, through December
15, 2017. For more information, visit www.healthcare.gov.

Canceling Your Enrollment…A Word of Caution

If you choose to cancel your VA health care enrollment, you may reapply for
enrollment at any time; however, acceptance for future VA health care
enrollment will be based on eligibility factors at the time of application, which
may result in a denial of enrollment.

return to top

CONNECT VA HOME QUICK LIST RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION

Veterans Crisis Line: Notices Apply for Benefits Careers at VA Veterans Health Administration
1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) Privacy Apply for Health Care Employment Center Veterans Benefits Administration
FOIA Prescriptions Returning Service Members National Cemetery Administration
Social Media
Regulations My HealtheVet Vocational Rehabilitation &
Web Policies eBenefits Employment

No FEAR Act Life Insurance Online Applications Homeless Veterans

Complete Directory
Whistleblower Rights & Protections VA Forms Women Veterans

EMAIL UPDATES Site Index State and Local Resources Minority Veterans

USA.gov Plain Language

Email Address Strat Plan FY 2014–2020
White House Surviving Spouses & Dependents
VA Plans, Budget, & Performance
Inspector General Adaptive Sports Program
VA Claims Representation

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420

LAST REVIEWED/UPDATED OCTOBER 15, 2015.

https://www.va.gov/health/aca/EnrolledVeterans.asp 2/2