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HEALTH CARE

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In this section



THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (ACA) AND YOUR VA HEALTH CARE COVERAGE

The Affordable Care Act (ACA)—also known as the health care law—was created to
expand access to coverage, control health care costs, and improve health care
quality and care coordination. Find out what you need to know about the ACA and
your health coverage.


DO I STILL HAVE TO PAY A PENALTY IF I DON’T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE?

You don’t have to pay a penalty if you don’t have health insurance in 2019 or
any year after that.

Through the end of 2018, the ACA required all U.S. taxpayers to have health
coverage that met a minimum standard (called the “minimum essential coverage”
requirement) unless they qualified for an exemption due to certain life events,
financial status, or other factors. This meant that if you had affordable health
coverage options, but chose not to buy health insurance, you would have to pay a
fee when filing your taxes. This fee was known as an individual shared
responsibility payment. It was also sometimes called the “penalty,” “fine,” or
“individual mandate.”

Congress changed this part of the law for plans starting in 2019 and after. The
individual shared responsibility payment no longer applies starting in plan year
2019.

Note: If you didn’t have coverage or an exemption in 2018, you may still have
had to pay a fee when you filed your 2018 taxes in 2019.
Go to HealthCare.gov to learn more about exemptions


DOES THE ACA CHANGE MY VA HEALTH BENEFITS?

No. The health care law doesn’t change your VA health benefits or your
out-of-pocket costs.


IF I’M NOT SIGNED UP FOR A VA OR DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM, HOW
DO I GET HEALTH COVERAGE?

You may be able to get coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. You
can enroll in a plan during open enrollment periods.

You may also be able to enroll or change plans if you:

 * Have certain life changes, or
 * Qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s
   Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

To find out if you can enroll or change your plan, go to HealthCare.gov.

Last updated: October 12, 2022

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VETERAN PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

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 * National Resource Directory


MORE VA RESOURCES

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 * Get help from an accredited representative or VSO
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 * Your VA welcome kit


GET VA UPDATES

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IN CRISIS? TALK TO SOMEONE NOW

 * Veterans Crisis Line


GET ANSWERS

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 * CALL US
   
   800-698-2411
 * TTY: 711


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   Find a VA location

 * Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
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   GET ANSWERS
   
    * Resources and support
    * Contact us
   
   
    * CALL US
      
      800-698-2411
    * TTY: 711
   
   
    * VISIT A MEDICAL CENTER OR REGIONAL OFFICE
      
      Find a VA location

 * Veteran programs and services
    * Homeless Veterans
    * Women Veterans
    * Minority Veterans
    * LGBTQ+ Veterans
    * PTSD
    * Mental health
    * Adaptive sports and special events
    * VA outreach events
    * National Resource Directory

 * More VA resources
    * VA forms
    * VA health care access and quality
    * Get help from an accredited representative or VSO
    * VA mobile apps
    * State Veterans Affairs offices
    * Doing business with VA
    * Careers at VA
    * VA outreach materials
    * Your VA welcome kit

 * Get VA updates
    * VA news
    * Press releases
    * Email updates
    * Facebook
    * Instagram
    * Twitter
    * Flickr
    * YouTube
    * All VA social media


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LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE

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WE’RE HERE ANYTIME, DAY OR NIGHT – 24/7

If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with our caring,
qualified responders for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans
themselves.

 * Call 988 and select 1
 * Text 838255
 * Start a confidential chat

 * For TTY, call 711 then 988

Get more resources at VeteransCrisisLine.net.