The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is dedicated to providing comprehensive health care services to women veterans. If you are a woman who has served in the military, you have earned access to a wide range of benefits and resources designed to meet your unique health needs through the VA health care program.
Comprehensive Women’s Health Services at VA
The VA health care program for women veterans offers a full spectrum of primary care and specialized services. Primary care encompasses essential health services tailored for women, including:
- Routine check-ups and preventive care: Annual wellness exams, health screenings, and immunizations to maintain your overall health.
- Gynecology services: Complete gynecological care, from routine pelvic exams and Pap smears to contraception counseling and management of menopause.
- Maternity care: Comprehensive support during pregnancy and postpartum, ensuring the health of both you and your baby.
- Mental health services: Access to mental health professionals for counseling, therapy, and treatment of conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety, recognizing the unique challenges women veterans may face.
- Management of chronic conditions: Expert care for ongoing health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis, tailored to women’s health considerations.
Specialized Care Tailored for Women Veterans
Beyond primary care, the VA health care program provides access to a variety of specialty services to address specific health concerns of women veterans:
- Advanced Gynecologic and Fertility Treatments: Specialized care for complex gynecological conditions and fertility challenges, offering advanced treatment options.
- Sensory Aids and Prosthetics: Provision of necessary aids and prosthetics, including gender-specific items like post-mastectomy products, ensuring comfort and function.
- Broad Range of Medical Specialties: Access to specialists in various fields including radiology, neurology, cardiology, orthopedics, rheumatology, oncology, and endocrinology, ensuring comprehensive care for all health needs.
Are You Utilizing Your Earned VA Health Benefits?
It’s important for women veterans to understand and utilize the health benefits they have earned through their service. Currently, a significant number of women veterans are not enrolled in VA health care, missing out on valuable, low-cost or no-cost medical services. Enrolling in the VA health care program grants access to this comprehensive system designed specifically to support women veterans’ health and well-being.
The VA offers resources like the Women’s Health Transition Training Handbook and the Women Veterans Health Reengagement Training (heaRT) Participant Handbook to guide transitioning and separated women veterans in understanding and accessing their benefits. These resources highlight the importance of enrolling in VA health care to take full advantage of available services.
It is never too late to enroll in VA health care services and begin receiving the benefits you deserve.
The Women Veterans Call Center: Your Dedicated Resource
Navigating health care systems can be complex, but the VA provides dedicated support through the Women Veterans Call Center (WVCC). If you have questions about the VA health care program or need assistance finding resources, the WVCC is your guide.
Reach out to the Women Veterans Call Center at 855-829-6636 to speak with trained women representatives who can:
- Assist you with the enrollment process for VA health care.
- Help you schedule medical appointments in your local area.
- Provide clarity on your eligibility for VA health benefits, including disability ratings and other benefits like employment, education, and home loans.
- Connect you with your local VA Medical Center or Women’s Health Contact for coordinated care.
The WVCC is available to assist you Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET. You can call or text to connect with the support you need.
Take the first step towards accessing your earned health benefits. Enroll in the VA health care program and utilize the resources available to support your health and well-being as a woman veteran.
