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Health
Physical Health
The NYC Department of Veterans' Services (DVS) ensures that veterans can access quality healthcare and are connected to the health services they need. DVS connects veterans and their families to VA health programs and provides information regarding insurance options.
Connect to physical health services by filling out the VetConnectNYC form and selecting "Physical Health" as your preferred service:
Request Services on VetConnectNYC
See below for a list of physical health services:
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Health Insurance Options
- Federal
- VA Healthcare: Veterans may be able to get VA health care benefits if they served in the active military, naval, or air service and didn't receive a dishonorable discharge. Veterans can apply online. If you have other health insurance (like Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance) this does not affect the VA health care benefits you can get.
- Tricare: TRICARE is the Department of Defense's health care program for active duty and retired uniformed services members and their families. The Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP) at Saint Vincent's is a TRICARE Prime military health plan sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD). USFHP has provided comprehensive health care for military families for over 30 years.
- VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP): The VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP) offers discounted private dental insurance for Veterans and family members who meet certain requirements. Find out if you're eligible, and how to enroll in a plan that meets your needs and budget. Delta Dental offers dental benefits to help improve the health and lives of Veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries through the Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Program (VADIP).
- Women's Health Transition Training Program: This program informs women veterans of the services offered by the VA to treat depression, musculoskeletal conditions, chronic pain, obesity, infertility, prenatal care, and MST. The program is offered virtually twice a day through mid-December.
- Medicaid: Medicaid provides free health insurance for low-income adults and children.
- Medicare: Medicare is public health insurance for individuals age 65 and older, some people with disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
- Medicare Savings Programs: Medicare Savings Programs help pay for Medicare costs including premiums, deductibles, copayments and coinsurance. Learn more.
- Social Security Administration: The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) administers Social Security, Retirement Disability, Supplemental Security Income, and Survivors Benefits.
- New York State
- NY State of Health Essential Plan: The New York State of Health Essential Plan is free or low-cost insurance for adults with low income who do not qualify for Medicaid.
- Qualified Health Plans: Qualified Health Plans are available on the NY State of Health Marketplace (financial help is available) and directly from insurance companies.
- Child Health Plus: Child Health Plus is affordable health insurance for children, regardless of income or immigration status.
- New York City
- MetroPlus: MetroPlus can help NYC veterans enroll in Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Essential Plan, and Qualified Health Plans.
- NYC Care: NYC Care is a health care access program that guarantees low-cost and no-cost services offered by NYC Health and Hospitals.
- NYC Health and Hospital Options: NYC Health and Hospitals Options are free or discounted payment plans to make medical care accessed at New York City public hospitals affordable. Eligible New Yorkers can pay on a sliding scale.
Health Programs for Veterans
- VA Health Care
- Veterans who have not applied for VA health care and/or have seen an income change due to the crisis can learn if they qualify for VA health care by visiting the VA health care eligibility page, calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387), or visiting the application webpage.
- VA Telehealth Services
- My HealtheVet the VA's online portal, where veterans can ask non-urgent questions to their VA healthcare team, schedule appointments for VA Video Connect, and fill prescriptions.
- VA Video Connect allows veterans to talk to their VA health care providers through private and secure video messaging using their phones and computers. To arrange an appointment, please call (877) 877-9267.
- The Rx Refill mobile app is another option for veterans to refill prescriptions and have them delivered to their homes.
- Annie's Coronavirus Precautions Protocol App lets veterans receive texts with updated COVID-19 information. It can also help veterans monitor symptoms if they need to contact their local facility care.
- Women Veterans
- The Women's Health Transition Training Program informs women veterans of the services offered by the VA to treat depression, musculoskeletal conditions, chronic pain, obesity, infertility, prenatal care, and MST. The program is offered virtually twice a day through mid-December.
- The VA offers free care for MST to veterans even if they are not eligible for other VA care. No documentation of the MST experience is required. Two trained MST Coordinators are staffed at each Veteran Benefits Administration regional office to assist veterans with their disability compensation claims related to MST. The MST Coordinators in the New York regional office are:
- Karina Vazquez: Karina.Vazquez@va.gov
- Daniel Feliciano: Daniel.Feliciano2@va.gov
- Veterans with Other-Than-Honorable Discharge
- Veterans with Other-Than-Honorable (OTH) discharge can receive emergency care for their mental health condition at VA medical centers for up to 90 days. The veteran will receive ongoing coverage if their mental health condition is determined to be a result of a service-related injury. The VA also provides ongoing mental and behavioral health care to veterans with OTH discharges who were on active duty for more than 100 days and served in a combat role, or experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault while serving.
COVID-19 Testing and Vaccine Information
- COVID-19 Testing
NYC still has COVID tests available for free all around the city. Find a location at nyc.gov/covidtest.
- COVID-19 Vaccine
Walk-ins Welcomed: New Yorkers ages 12 and up can now walk into any City-run vaccine site and get a COVID-19 vaccine - no appointment needed, no zip code requirement. You can still schedule a vaccine appointment at nyc.gov/vaccinefinder or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC (877-829-4692). - In-home Vaccinations: If you are a homebound veteran, you can schedule an in-home vaccination by calling 877-829-4692 or by filling out the request form.
- Getting Vaccinated at VA Hospitals: VA NY Harbor Healthcare System is accepting walk-ins for the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines at the following locations: VA vaccination clinics are open between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm. Veterans, spouses, caregivers are all welcome! You can still schedule an appointment at any one of these locations by calling 1-877-877-9267. Call (718) 584-9000 ext. 4640 to schedule an appointment at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center (Bronx VA).