Health Care
Combat veterans who were discharged or released from active service on or after Jan. 28, 2003 are eligible to enroll in the VA health care system for five years from the date of discharge or release. The enrollment period begins on the discharge or separation date of the service member from active duty service, or in the case of multiple call-ups, the most recent discharge date. Veterans, including activated Reservists and National Guard members, are eligible if they served on active duty in a theater of combat operations after Nov. 11, 1998 and have been discharged under other than dishonorable conditions.
To the extent resources and facilities are available, the VA provides hospital care covering the full range of medical services to veterans. Eligible veterans may receive medical treatment at any VA Medical Center or Outpatient Clinic/Community Based Clinic in Florida.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is principally responsible for the delivery of health care services to veterans. To support this effort, the VA has established 21 regional Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) nationwide. Two networks serve Florida.
- VISN 8 encompasses 60 counties in North, Central and South Florida, 19 rural counties in South Georgia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information, visit http://www.visn8.va.gov/
- VISN 8 Veterans Health Matters Magazine, Publications and Products are available to view. For more information, visit https://www.visn8.va.gov/VISN8/news/publications.asp
- VISN 16 serves the remaining seven counties in Northwest Florida. For more information visit http://www.visn16.va.gov/
The VA operates seven medical centers in Florida. They are located at Bay Pines, Gainesville, Lake City, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach. The VA also operates approximately 50 Outpatient Clinics for health care and more than two dozen Vet Centers for counseling throughout the state.
VA Health Care
To find a VA health care system, VA medical center, outpatient clinic, community service program, community based outpatient clinic or vet center, click here.
The Affordable Care Act, also known as the health care law, was created to expand access to coverage, control health care costs and improve health care quality and care coordination. If you are enrolled in VA health care, you don’t need to take additional steps to meet the health care law coverage standards. The health care law does not change VA health benefits or Veterans’ out-of-pocket costs. For more information, click here.
Health Care Updates & Resources
VA MISSION ACT
https://floridavets.org/va-implements-mission-act/
Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water
For information and updates for veterans who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune between 1957 and 1987 and who may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water, click here or read an update on the latest for the Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Centralized Claims Processing.