VA Health Care for Women Veterans: How to Enroll

This guide explains VA health care for women who served in the military, including who can get it, what services are covered, and how to apply.

It covers everything from basic eligibility and maternity care to copay rules and where to call for help.

What women's health services VA covers

VA primary care and women's health services include general wellness checks, reproductive health care such as birth control and menopause care, management of long-term conditions like heart disease and diabetes, pain management, mental health services, and treatment for conditions related to military sexual trauma.

Reproductive health services also cover preconception counseling and menopausal support including hormone replacement therapy.

For conditions tied to military sexual trauma, the VA offers treatment and counseling that are both free and confidential.

Maternity care and newborn coverage

VA covers maternity care for women Veterans throughout pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum.

Covered maternity services include full physical exams, lab tests, prenatal education, obstetrical ultrasounds, genetic tests, prescription drugs, labor and delivery, newborn care for the first 7 days after birth, lactation support, support for miscarriage or stillbirth, and mental health services.

VA asks that requests for nursing bras, breast or chest pumps, and maternity belts go through a Maternity Care Coordinator at least two weeks before the due date; the coordinator can confirm timing.

Other supplies such as lactation pads, human milk storage bags, and nipple cream are available through the VA Pharmacy.

How to apply for VA health care

To apply, you need Social Security numbers for yourself, your spouse, and qualified dependents; military discharge papers such as a DD214 or other separation documents and service history; insurance card information for all coverage including Medicare, private insurance, or employer insurance; gross household income from the previous calendar year for yourself, your spouse, and dependents; and deductible expenses for the past year including certain health care and education costs.

What you might pay

Some Veterans are exempt from paying VA health care copays based on their disability rating, income level, or special eligibility factors.

Getting care outside VA

VA's policy is that community care needs a referral approved by the VA care team first; your VA care team can tell you if you qualify.

After you request a referral, VA reviews your eligibility and prepares the referral, a process that can take up to 14 days.

After scheduling, you receive an authorization letter that includes an authorization number, provider information, a description of approved care, and the duration of care approval.

Veterans who book a community appointment themselves are asked to tell their VA care team within 14 days.

People who can help you

Every VA facility has a Women Veteran Program Manager who can help women Veterans connect with resources and services.

Where to get help

For questions about remaining appointments, call TTY: 711, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET.

If you are in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1.

For the final word on your own eligibility, costs, or care, contact VA directly and speak with a qualified professional.