The VH is the health care component of the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). In Wisconsin, there are three VA Hospitals: one each in Madison, Milwaukee and Tomah. Veterans living in Northern and Northwest Wisconsin may receive care at VA hospitals in Iron Mountain, Michigan or St. Cloud or Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to the hospitals, there are several community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs). These clinics have been strategically placed around the state.
To receive VA health care benefits, veterans must enroll. Veterans can apply for enrollment through their County or Tribal Veteran Service Office (CVSO/TVSO) or by submitting a completed VA Form 10-10EZ and providing a copy of a military separation document (DD-214). The form is available in the admissions area of each VA Hospital or CBOC, on-line at https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply-for-health-care-form-10-10ez/introduction, or by mail. There are eight enrollment priorities of veterans, with Priority 1 being the highest. Priority 8 veterans are those who have no service-connected disabilities and who enrolled before January 17, 2003. Priority 7 & 8 veterans must agree to make co- payments for most medical care and medicines.
Effective January 17, 2003, the VA suspended NEW enrollment of veterans assigned to Priority Group 8 (VA’s lowest priority group consisting of higher income veterans). The VA prioritizes care for Veterans Benefits Administration adjudicated service connected conditions, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war (POW), and veterans whose medical conditions resulted from herbicidal exposures, and ionizing radiation, and environmental hazards. For veterans that do not fall into any of these categories, the enrollment will be based on the annual income of the veteran and spouse, if applicable, and their net worth. Your primary residence is not considered when calculating net worth. The income level is determined by the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) geographic index by county and family size. Unreimbursed medical, vocational/education, and funeral expenses are also allowed to offset income. By law the VA bills insurance carriers for care to veterans for NSC conditions.
Outpatient treatment Depending on income level and Priority Group assignment a fee may be assessed for treatment of non-service connected (NSC) conditions. Outpatient treatments may have no co-payment (i.e., preventative screenings, flat film radiology). Inpatient treatment Hospitalizations for NSC conditions may require a co-payment based on the veteran’s income level and Priority Group assignment.
For information on any veteran benefit, contact your County or Tribal Veterans Service Officer. You can find their information at wicvso.org/locate-your-cvso-tvso/.
