Become a Patient
All veterans are encouraged to enroll in the VA health care system. To begin the process, please complete an Application for Health Care Benefits (Form 10-10EZ). You can submit the form online, or you may print the form and mail it to:
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
Attention: Admissions/Processing
University Drive (04PA-U)
Pittsburgh, PA 15240
You can also bring the form to the eligibility office at either the University Drive campus (located on the first floor in the registration area) or the H.J. Heinz campus (Ambulatory Care Center, building 71, ground floor).
All applications MUST include the following items:
- A copy of both sides of your current insurance card (including Medicare or Medicaid)
- A copy of your discharge papers: DD214, Report of Separation or Record of Enlistment
- A copy of any service connected disability award letters via a VA Regional Office
- Non-Service Connected Veterans and 0% Service Connected Veterans are required
to provide previous calendar year income
If you have questions pertaining to an eligibility or enrollment application, please call Admissions at 412-360-6993.
For detailed information about your benefits, you can download a copy of the Information Booklet for Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors.
VHA Health Eligibility Center is an online resource for Veterans, family members and care givers to learn about eligibility, enrollment options and benefits offered by VHA. It also provides detailed information about how to apply for VHA health services, cost of care, accessing VA health care and VA’s Medical Benefits Package.
Basic Eligibility
If you served in the active military, naval or air service and are separated under any condition other than dishonorable, you may qualify for VA health care benefits. Current and former members of the Reserves or National Guard who were called to active duty (other than for training only) by a federal order and completed the full period for which they were called or ordered to active duty may be eligible for VA health care as well.
Minimum Duty Requirements
Most Veterans who enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981, must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which they were called to active duty in order to be eligible. This minimum duty requirement may not apply to Veterans who were discharged for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, discharged for a hardship, or received an "early out." Since there are a number of other exceptions to the minimum duty requirements, VA encourages all Veterans to apply in order to determine their enrollment eligibility.
Veterans Health Benefits Handbook
VA is producing a personalized "Veterans Health Benefits Handbook" for each Veteran enrolled in the VA health care system. The purpose of the handbook is to provide a current and accurate description of VA health care benefits and services. Your handbook will be tailored specifically to you with personal identifying information and should be safeguarded as you would any other sensitive personal document.
The "Veterans Health Benefits Handbook" includes:
- Eligibility and health care benefits,
- Contact information for your local facility,
- Information regarding copayment responsibilities,
- Instructions on how to schedule appointments,
- Guidelines to communicate treatment needs,
- Patient rights,
- Ways to obtain copies of medical records, and
- Other important information.
You will receive your personalized handbook via U.S. mail; therefore, you should have a current address on file with VA. Handbooks are mailed based on Priority Group, beginning with Priority Group 1 and ending with Priority Group 8. To see when you might receive your handbook, go to the distribution schedule. You may also call VA toll-free at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) if you need to update your address or receive additional information.
Veterans Health Benefits Guide and Health Care Benefits Overview
VA also publishes the "Veterans Health Benefits Guide" designed to provide general information about the VA Medical Benefits Package, and the "Health Care Benefits Overview" designed to provide the information Veterans need to understand VA's health care system, with answers to frequently asked questions about eligibility and benefits.
Both publications are available to you at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, and can be downloaded at http://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/resources/epublications.asp.
These publications are very helpful, and we encourage you to refer to them whenever you have questions about your eligibility for specific health care benefits. Additional assistance is available at the following resources:
- The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System Enrollment Office
- VHA Health Benefits Website
- MyHealtheVet
- VA toll-free 1-877-222-VETS (8387) between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM ET, Monday-Friday
