Sgt Robert Valimont8586941<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If I decide to retire at 62, could I sign up for VA medical to bridge the gap until Medicare kicks in at 65?2023-12-13T20:03:05-05:00Sgt Robert Valimont8586941<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If I decide to retire at 62, could I sign up for VA medical to bridge the gap until Medicare kicks in at 65?2023-12-13T20:03:05-05:002023-12-13T20:03:05-05:00MSG Private RallyPoint Member8587036<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Why not sign up for VA medical now?Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2023 8:53 PM2023-12-13T20:53:56-05:002023-12-13T20:53:56-05:00PO3 Robert Dillon8587172<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You would have to qualify based on income (low) to get VA benefits.Response by PO3 Robert Dillon made Dec 13 at 2023 10:15 PM2023-12-13T22:15:38-05:002023-12-13T22:15:38-05:00MAJ Byron Oyler8587187<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Do you have a VA disability rating?Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Dec 13 at 2023 10:27 PM2023-12-13T22:27:54-05:002023-12-13T22:27:54-05:00COL Randall C.8587943<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Short answer: Absolutely, assuming you're eligible*.<br /><br />I saw the various comments and there seems to be a persistent misunderstanding about VA Health care. Many seem to conflate eligibility for VA healthcare with eligibility for FREE VA healthcare.<br /><br />All veterans (as defined by the VA) are eligible to sign up for VA healthcare. For almost all active duty servicemembers, if you weren't dishonorably discharged, you are eligible (see criteria for full information).<br /><br />If you're treated for a documented service-connected illness/injury, you are covered for all out-of-pocket expenses. For everything else, how much you would pay* out of pocket will depend on things such as a service-connected disability rating, your income, etc. It could also be affected by which priority group* you are assigned to.<br />------------------------------------<br />* Eligibility for VA Healthcare - <a target="_blank" href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/">https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/</a><br />* VA healthcare co-pay rates - <a target="_blank" href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/copay-rates/">https://www.va.gov/health-care/copay-rates/</a><br />* VA healthcare priority groups - <a target="_blank" href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/priority-groups/">https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/priority-groups/</a> <div class="pta-link-card answers-template-image type-default">
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<a target="blank" href="https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/">Eligibility for VA health care | Veterans Affairs</a>
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<p class="pta-link-card-description">Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran.</p>
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Response by COL Randall C. made Dec 14 at 2023 2:09 PM2023-12-14T14:09:13-05:002023-12-14T14:09:13-05:00Sgt Robert Valimont8588293<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Thank you for all the info, at least I now have another option if I want early retirementResponse by Sgt Robert Valimont made Dec 14 at 2023 6:55 PM2023-12-14T18:55:05-05:002023-12-14T18:55:05-05:00LCDR George Townsend8596688<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>VA only gives medical care if you have a service-connected disability. If you have no disabilities, the VA will send you packing...even if you're unemployed and have no other coverage. They did that to me when I was laid off and had no income. I'm a reserve retiree and wasn't getting retired pay (under 62 years of age). VA told me I had to be unemployed for a whole year before they would put me into the lowest priority category for any care. Obamacare is actually a better deal than the VA if you don't have a job (retired) and have low income. Why accept substandard VA care when you can get first-rate civilian health care with no premiums and no co-pay?Response by LCDR George Townsend made Dec 20 at 2023 11:56 PM2023-12-20T23:56:26-05:002023-12-20T23:56:26-05:00SSgt Janet Moore8598742<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Did you retire from the Air Force?Response by SSgt Janet Moore made Dec 22 at 2023 12:39 PM2023-12-22T12:39:41-05:002023-12-22T12:39:41-05:00SGT Robert Urbaniak8600038<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Hi, You must me 100% service connected to relieve all the benefits from the VAMC.Response by SGT Robert Urbaniak made Dec 23 at 2023 3:55 PM2023-12-23T15:55:50-05:002023-12-23T15:55:50-05:002023-12-13T20:03:05-05:00