If you served in the United States Armed Forces and are not using the VA health care benefits you earned through your service, there’s no better time than now to enroll.

VA health care has no enrollment fees, monthly premiums, or deductibles. Veterans can keep their current health insurance and continue seeing community providers while also accessing VA services when needed. This co-managed approach gives Veterans greater flexibility and access to care.

For 80 years, VA has specialized in caring for Veterans. Recent research and studies consistently show that VA health care meets or exceeds private-sector standards for quality, health outcomes, and patient satisfaction. Simply put, no health care system understands Veterans better.

Enrollment also provides access to valuable community care benefits. Veterans who see a VA primary care provider at least once every two years may be eligible for community emergency care, urgent care through participating providers, and specialty care in the community when eligibility requirements are met and a referral is provided by a VA clinician.

VA’s comprehensive health care services can improve quality of life while helping Veterans avoid significant out-of-pocket costs. Benefits include preventive care, specialty services such as cardiology, podiatry, and mental health care, as well as home health care, geriatric services, prescription medications, prosthetics, and medical equipment.

Even Veterans who do not need these services today may need them in the future. Once enrolled, Veterans maintain access to VA health care throughout their lives.

VA Health Care in Maryland

Veterans enrolled in the VA Maryland Health Care System can receive care at eight locations across central Maryland and the Eastern Shore, including medical centers in Baltimore, Loch Raven, and Perry Point, as well as outpatient clinics in Cambridge, Eastern Baltimore County, Fort Meade, Glen Burnie, and Pocomoke City.

The VA Maryland Health Care System provides a full range of inpatient and outpatient services, including primary care, medical and surgical specialties, rehabilitation, neurology, mental health care, and long-term care.

VA health care benefits extend far beyond Maryland. As the nation’s largest integrated health care system, VA operates more than 1,320 facilities nationwide, allowing enrolled Veterans to access care across the country when traveling or relocating.

Choose VA. Apply Today.

Apply online at https://www.va.gov/health-care, call 855-976-9618, or apply in person at the Enrollment Center at the Baltimore VA Medical Center or the Admissions Office at the Perry Point VA Medical Center.

Debunking VA Health Care Enrollment Myths

MYTH FACT CHECK
“I didn’t serve in combat/I wasn’t injured in the service, so I’m not eligible for VA health care.” If you served in the military – even during peacetime – in the active military, naval, or air service, and are separated under any condition other than dishonorable, you may qualify for VA health care.
“I do not want to go to the VA because I want to save those appointments for those who really need them.” We receive funding based on the number of Veterans who use our services. By choosing VA for your care, you’re not taking away from others—you’re helping expand access for every Veteran.
“I want to go to the VA, but I do not want to lose my private health insurance.” Assuming you are eligible for VA health care, you do not need to give up your private health insurance. You can keep your private insurance and VA health care, too—the best of both worlds.
“I make too much money, so I have never applied for VA care.” Eligibility isn’t just about income. There are many other factors taken into consideration when applying for VA health care, including service-related conditions, time and location of service, and more.
“I have a service-connected rating or disability rating through the VA, so I am already enrolled in VA health care.” Disability benefits don’t automatically enroll you—you must still apply for VA health care. The good news is that a service-connected disability is a qualifying eligibility factor.