If I decide to retire at 62, could I sign up for VA medical to bridge the gap until Medicare kicks in at 65?

Sgt Robert Valimont — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 20:03:05 -0500

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2023 8:53 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 20:53:56 -0500

Why not sign up for VA medical now?

Response by PO3 Robert Dillon made Dec 13 at 2023 10:15 PM

PO3 Robert Dillon — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 22:15:38 -0500

You would have to qualify based on income (low) to get VA benefits.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Dec 13 at 2023 10:27 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 22:27:54 -0500

Do you have a VA disability rating?

Response by COL Randall C. made Dec 14 at 2023 2:09 PM

COL Randall C. — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 14:09:13 -0500

Short answer: Absolutely, assuming you're eligible*.

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.

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).

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.
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* Eligibility for VA Healthcare - https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/
* VA healthcare co-pay rates - https://www.va.gov/health-care/copay-rates/
* VA healthcare priority groups - https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/priority-groups/

Eligibility for VA health care | Veterans Affairs

Find out if you can get VA health care as a Veteran.

Response by Sgt Robert Valimont made Dec 14 at 2023 6:55 PM

Sgt Robert Valimont — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 18:55:05 -0500

Thank you for all the info, at least I now have another option if I want early retirement

Response by LCDR George Townsend made Dec 20 at 2023 11:56 PM

LCDR George Townsend — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 23:56:26 -0500

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 SSgt Janet Moore made Dec 22 at 2023 12:39 PM

SSgt Janet Moore — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 12:39:41 -0500

Did you retire from the Air Force?

Response by SGT Robert Urbaniak made Dec 23 at 2023 3:55 PM

SGT Robert Urbaniak — Sat, 23 Dec 2023 15:55:50 -0500

Hi, You must me 100% service connected to relieve all the benefits from the VAMC.