What is the Affordable Care Act?
The Affordable Care Act was created to expand access to coverage, control health care costs and improve health care quality and care coordination. The health care law does not change VA health benefits or Veterans’ out-of-pocket costs.
What you should know
VA wants all Veterans to receive health care that improves their health and well-being.
If you are enrolled in VA health care, you don’t need to take additional steps to meet the health care law coverage standards. The health care law does not change VA health benefits or Veterans’ out-of-pocket costs.
If you are not enrolled, you can apply for VA health care at any time.
Veterans Enrolled in VA Health Care
The good news is that Veterans enrolled in VA health care programs have health coverage that meets the health care law’s standard and do not have to take any additional steps for health coverage under the law.
Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (The Choice Program)
In order to improve VA's ability to deliver high-quality health care to Veterans, VA expanded options for eligible Veterans to elect to use health care from non-VA entities and providers through the Choice Program.
Veterans Not Enrolled in VA Health Care
Veterans not currently enrolled in the VA health care program can apply for enrollment at any time.
Community Care under the Mission Act of 2018
On June 6, 2018, President Donald J Trump signed landmark legislation known as the VA MISSION Act of 2018. The Act affects many VA programs, including changes that make dramatic improvements to how Veterans receive health care provided outside of VA facilities.
Read more about VA Community Care.