Frequently Asked Questions: Veterans

Yes. However, acceptance for future VA health care coverage will be based on eligibility factors at the time of application, which may result in a denial of health care coverage. Before canceling your VA health care coverage, we encourage you to call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or speak with your local County Veteran Service Officer about your VA health care options.

Find the County Veteran Service Officer in your community and for more information visit VA.gov.

Yes. You can continue to use VA for all your health care needs, or complement your VA care with private health insurance or coverage by other federal and state health care programs you may qualify for, including Medicare, Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program), and TRICARE.

If you have other health insurance in addition to Health First Colorado, your other insurance pays first in most cases. You can get more information about Health First Colorado being the payer of last resort.

For more information visit VA.gov.

Veterans Affairs (VA) cannot determine if you can qualify for tax credits. You must apply through Connect for Health Colorado Marketplace to find out if you can get a tax credit to help lower the costs on your monthly premiums for private health insurance plans. Remember, if you are enrolled in a VA health care program, you do not need to take additional steps to meet the health coverage requirements under the health care law. Also, if you are enrolled in VA health care, your VA coverage meets the Federal requirement for health care coverage so you are not eligible for a tax credit to help buy insurance through the Connect for Health Colorado Marketplace.

For more information visit VA.gov.

The health care law does not change VA health benefits or your out-of-pocket costs. The law also does not change your ability to continue to use VA health care with your TRICARE coverage as you can still use both your VA coverage and TRICARE coverage.

Most TRICARE health plan options meet the requirements for minimum essential coverage. For more information visit VA.gov.

Yes. Veterans who qualify can have both VA health care program coverage and Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program). To find out if you and your family qualify for Health First Colorado go to Get Coverage.

Since Veterans Affairs health care programs meet the standard for health care coverage, you are not eligible for a tax credit to help buy insurance through the Connect for Health Colorado Marketplace. However, you may still purchase private health insurance on or off the Connect for Health Colorado Marketplace to complement your VA health care coverage without receiving a tax credit.

For more information visit VA.gov.

Yes. If you are not enrolled in VA health care coverage, you may qualify for financial assistance (tax credit) to help pay for health insurance coverage purchased through the Connect for Health Colorado Marketplace. Remember, if you do have VA health care coverage, you are not eligible for a tax credit.

Veterans’ family members who already receive health care coverage — through their employers, TRICARE or certain VA programs — do not need to take additional steps to meet the health care law coverage standards.

Veterans’ family members who do not have coverage that meets the health care law’s requirements should consider their options. Family members of Veterans may qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid Program) or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). They may also qualify to financial assistance (tax credit) to help lower the costs of their monthly premiums or out-of-pocket costs through the Connect for Health Colorado Marketplace. Coloradans can apply for health care coverage through the Health First Colorado, CHP+ and Connect for Health Colorado Marketplace by filling out one application. Learn more about how to Get Coverage.

For more information visit VA.gov.

Yes. If you are enrolled in any of VA’s programs below, your health care coverage meets the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (health care law):

• Veteran’s health care program
• Civilian Health and Medical program (CHAMPVA)
• Spina bifida health care program

For more information visit VA.gov.