Can Veterans and Caregivers Get Medical Care on Military Bases?
Veterans with disabilities who need medical care may be concerned about when and where they can get the care they need. Veteran caregivers responsible for the health of disabled and aging veterans may be looking for additional care and support in their area. For veterans and caregivers who do not live close to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility but close to a military installation may want to know — can veterans and caregivers get medical care on military bases? VA Benefits Attorneys is here to help answer your questions.
Guidelines for DOD Installation Veteran and Caregiver Access
Yes — veterans and veteran caregivers can access military bases and Department of Defense (DOD) installations with the correct identification. Recent policy updates have made it simpler for veterans and veteran caregivers to get access to military installations with a focus on Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and select areas — but veterans and caregivers registered with the Department of Veterans Affairs can access installations in all 50 states.
To access military installations, veterans and caregivers must enroll in the DOD reoccurring installation access program and have the proper ID. Vetted and approved individuals can access military bases for medical appointments, shopping at commissary and base exchange facilities, and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) services.
Who Can Access Military Bases for Medical Appointments?
Access to military installations is not limited to just disabled veterans. It applies to many people in the veteran and military community. Here is a list of who is eligible to apply for reoccurring access to military installations:
- Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare with a valid VA or Department of Defense medical appointment on the military base.
- Approved veteran primary caregivers for eligible veterans as defined by the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers.
- Military veterans with a service-connected disability.
- Veterans who have been awarded a Purple Heart.
- Veterans with a Title 38 Prisoner of War determination.
How To Access Military Bases for Medical Appointments
Veterans and caregivers who would like access to military bases for medical care, shopping, or other services must first apply for installation access with the DOD — and this must be done for the first visit to EACH military base. Individuals must have a valid Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) or a compliant REAL ID Act drivers’s license or identification card. Veterans and caregivers must also provide proof of a medical appointment if that is the reason for the visit.
To enroll in the program for base access, veterans and caregivers must do three things the first time they access the installation.
- Provide valid and accepted identification.
- Pass an on-the-spot criminal record and terrorism check to determine fitness.
- Provide your purpose for the visit that requires access to the base.
READ MORE: How Do VA Disability Benefits Affect Spouses and Dependents?
Can veterans and caregivers get medical care on military bases? This is a pretty common question for many disabled and recently-separated veterans, as well as their families. We hope that this quick overview of the application and enrollment process has answered some of your questions and made it a little easier to get the care you need.
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