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When Rich, an Army Veteran, retired and moved to Florida, he started having difficulty with his hearing.

He visited his doctor through his private insurance and learned he would need hearing aids that could cost up to $7,000 out of pocket. At the urging of military friends, he decided to have his hearing tested at a VA clinic and learned he was eligible for hearing aids at no cost.

“I thought to myself, oh my gosh, I think I made the right decision, the VA is going to take care of me,” he says. “I got the most thorough care I could get.”

All Veterans enrolled in VA health care have access to comprehensive medical benefits, including many cost-free services. For those who are older, there are also long term and home based services to help chronically ill or disabled Veterans of any age remain in their homes.

Like many Veterans, Rich was initially hesitant to try VA health care.

“I always felt there were plenty of other military Veterans out there who really needed the VA because that was all they had for medical support,” he says. “I have private insurance, and I didn’t want to take their slot.”

As Rich learned though, if you are eligible for VA health care, even 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.