Healthcare
You have special eligibility for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for two years following your discharge from active duty. The VA also provides free mental health services at Vet Centers. Reservists and National Guard members who were called to active duty by a federal executive order may qualify for VA health care benefits.
How do I enroll in the VA healthcare system?
Call the nearest VA Medical Center (VAMC) and follow the prompts for “recently discharged combat veterans” to connect with the Iraq and Gulf War Coordinator. The coordinator will ask you to fill out a form and provide your DD214 in order to enroll for VA healthcare. Once you are enrolled in the VA system you can obtain care at VA facilities nationwide. In addition, women veterans can call and ask to speak to the Women Veterans Program Manager at the VAMC.
- For more information visit www.va.gov or www.va.gov/rcs .
- Bedford VAMC (781) 687-2000, Boston VAMC (617) 232-9500 (covers West Roxbury, Jamaica Plain and Brockton campuses), Northampton VAMC (413) 584-4040.
Where can I get help managing the nightmares and flashbacks I have about my time in the service?
You may be suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a mental disorder that can occur following a life-threatening event such as military combat, natural disasters, terrorist incidents, serious accidents, or violent personal assaults including rape. The VA’s National Center for PTSD provides free treatment to veterans. VA Vet Centers offer free treatment for combat trauma as well as military sexual trauma (MST). MST counselors work with both men and women who experienced unwanted sexual advances or harassment in the military. Vet Centers provide complete confidentiality from the VA.
- For intake at the National Center for PTSD, male veterans call (857) 364-4143 and female veterans call (857) 364-5906.
- For a complete listing of Vet Centers in Massachusetts, visit www.va.gov/rcs .
What is TRICARE?
TRICARE is the Department of Defense’s regionally managed healthcare program for active duty and retired members of the uniformed services, including members of the Guard and Reserve who are issued orders for more than 30 days for a contingency operation. Unlike VA healthcare, TRICARE covers the health, dental, and mental health needs of you and your dependents. Eligibility for TRICARE is determined by the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), a database of uniformed services members entitled under the law to TRICARE benefits. TRICARE manages the military healthcare program, but DEERS determines if you are eligible to receive TRICARE coverage. DEERS registration is required for TRICARE eligibility and is the key to your benefits. Once registered in DEERS, it is important to keep your DEERS records updated when personal eligibility information changes, such as changes in military career status, addresses, and family status (marriage, divorce, birth, and adoption).
- For TRICARE information call (877) 874-2273 (customer service in the north region of the U.S.) or visit www.tricare.osd.mil .
- For DEERS registration and to update personal information call (800) 538-9552 or visit www.tricare.osd.mil/deers .
(Welcome Home, 2nd edition, February 2007.)
Go to Housing