Enroll first

VA Form 10-10EZ is the current enrollment application for VA health benefits. Preserve the application, supporting service/discharge information, submission confirmation, and the enrollment decision.

Priority group is not the same as eligibility

After enrollment, VA assigns a Veteran to one of eight priority groups using factors such as service history, disability rating, income, Medicaid eligibility, pension, and special eligibility categories. Priority group can affect copays and access administration; if more than one applies, VA assigns the highest qualifying group.

Community care requires its own gate

Being enrolled in VA health care does not create unrestricted authority to use any private provider at VA expense. Current VA guidance generally requires enrollment or eligibility plus VA approval before community care, except for defined urgent/emergency situations and other specified exceptions.

• Keep referral/authorization records.
• Confirm the community provider is in the appropriate network when required.
• Preserve appointment, billing and denial records.
• Use the specific clinical/benefit appeal or patient-advocate route for the decision at issue.

Official sources

• VA — Health Care Eligibility
• VA — Priority Groups
• VA — Community Care Eligibility
• VA — Form 10-10EZ

Source status: SRC-110; SRC-111; SRC-112; SRC-113 verified October 4, 2026. Benefit eligibility and effective dates are fact-specific; use the current VA decision and form instructions for the individual case.