This page provides answers to questions about health care for women veterans:
What services are available to women veterans?
A full continuum of comprehensive health care, including health promotion and disease prevention, primary care, women’s gender-specific health care, e.g., hormone replacement therapy, breast and gynecological care, maternity and limited infertility (excluding In-vitro fertilization), acute medical/surgical care, telephone, emergency and substance abuse treatment, mental health, homebound, rehabilitation, and long-term care. VA researchers at many VA facilities also conduct medical research on women’s health.
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How do I access the system for services?
Veterans can apply for VA health care enrollment by completing VA Form 10-10EZ. The 10-10EZ may be obtained by visiting, calling or writing any VA health care facility or veterans’ benefits office. You can also call the VA Health Benefits Call Center toll free at 877-222 VETS (877-222-8387) or access the form on the Internet at www.va.gov/elig
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How and where do I find historical information on women veterans?
Contact the Women in Military Service for America Memorial (WIMSA) at www.womensmemorial.org*.
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How can I get gender-specific services, including Pap smears, mammography, pre-natal and child care?
Apply for VA health care enrollment by completing VA Form 10-10EZ. The 10-10EZ may be obtained by visiting, calling or writing any VA health care facility or veterans’ benefits office. You can also call toll-free 877-222 VETS (877-222-8387) or access the form on the Internet at https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/. The provision of health care to non-veteran children is limited to those instances where specific authority is given to VA by law. Contact your nearest VA health care facility and ask to speak with the Women Veterans Program Manager.
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How do I contact a coordinator for options for women veterans who are homeless with children?
Contact your nearest VA health care facility and ask for the VA homeless coordinator (or point of contact), the Social Work Services department, or the Women Veterans Program Manager. Any of these contacts can discuss what options are available in your area.
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Are VA services authorized for women veterans who were involuntarily discharged from the military for pregnancy prior to May 1974? If not, how does one get this issue addressed?
The provision of health care services to veterans is established by certain eligibility criteria and discharge status requirements. To determine your eligibility for services, contact your nearest VA health care facility.
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What is the process for getting quality of care issues addressed?
Contact the Women Veterans Program Manager at your nearest VA health care facility. During normal business hours, you can also contact the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Women Veterans Health Strategic Health Care Group at (202) 461-7174 or the Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans at (202) 273-6193.
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How do I get a clinic appointment? What if there is a waiting list for an initial appointment?
Veteran Health Administration (VHA) has a goal of every new patient being scheduled for a non-urgent appointment within 30 days. If you have an urgent or emergent medical condition, contact your local VA health care facility telephone care program or visit their walk-in (urgent care) clinic or emergency room.
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Where can I get inpatient psychiatric care as a woman veteran?
Most VA Medical Centers have inpatient mental health programs. Contact your VA Primary Care Provider or the local Mental Health Program office for assistance. If you already have a therapist and need inpatient care, please discuss your concerns with your therapist. If you have urgent or emergent needs, you can contact your local VA health care facility telephone care program or urgent care clinic.
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How do I get evaluated for nursing home care?
If you have never been seen at a VA health care facility, you must first enroll for benefits. Then you must enroll in a primary care clinic and ask for an evaluation for nursing home care. The evaluation will be done either by the primary care provider or a geriatrics care team.
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What happens in the case when a veteran has an obstetrics-related emergency prior to enrolling?
If a women veteran is enrolled and we know she is pregnant, fee-basis care would be authorized in advance. In the event of an obstetric emergency, she would go to the hospital and the hospital would be reimbursed for services provided under VA contract. Eligible veterans are encouraged to enroll for VA health care as early as possible in the pregnancy to ensure that any maternity care provided by non-VA providers can be reimbursed.
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Why doesn't VA deliver babies?
VA covers pregnancy care through arrangements with community providers. VA can pay for prenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care for eligible women veterans, but VA has no authority to provide care to newborn infants. Many details are involved with pregnancy care. Contact a Women Veterans Program Manager as early in pregnancy as possible to discuss local processes regarding prenatal care and to explore options for health care services for the baby. When a pregnant veteran has a permanent, total disability resulting from a service-connected injury, and the child is not otherwise eligible for medical care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS), then a newborn infant could receive care under Civilian Health and Medical Program of VA (CHAMPVA).
*By clicking on these links, you will leave the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site.
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