VA Health Care
Apply for VA Health Care
The Veteran Affairs office is open by appointment and walk ins are welcome. We'll take you through each step of the process. It should take about 30 minutes.
New Enrollees please attach a copy of your DD214 with your application.
Need a Means Test?
Update your personal, insurance, or financial information after you are enrolled.
Moved from out of state?
Provide the following and we will update VA Health Care for you:
- Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
- New Address
Am I eligible to use VA health care?
You may be eligible for VA health care benefits if you served in the active military, naval, or air service and didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge.
- If you enlisted after September 7, 1980, or entered active duty after October 16, 1981:
You must have served 24 continuous months or the full period for which you were called to active duty, unless any of the descriptions below are true for you.
This minimum duty requirement may not apply if any of these are true:- You were discharged for a disability that was caused—or made worse—by your active-duty service, or
- You were discharged by a hardship or "early out", or
- You served prior to September 7, 1980
- If you’re a current or former member of the Reserves or National Guard:
You must have been called to active duty by a federal order and completed the full period for which you were called or ordered to active duty. If you had or have active-duty status for training purposes only, you don’t qualify for VA health care.
- If you served in certain locations and time periods during the Vietnam War era:
You're eligible for health care. Keep reading to learn more.
Is there anything that will make me more likely to get these benefits?
Yes. You may qualify for enhanced eligibility status if you meet at least one of these requirements. Enhanced eligibility means that we’ll place you in a higher priority group. This makes you more likely to get benefits.
At least one of these must be true:
- You receive financial compensation (payments) from VA for a service-connected disability
- You were discharged for a disability resulting from something that happened to you in the line of duty
- You were discharged for a disability that got worse in the line of duty
- You’re a combat Veteran discharged or released on or after September 11, 2001
- More about eligibility for transitioning active-duty service members and returning combat veterans:
va.gov/health-care/eligibility/active-duty/ - You get a VA pension
- You’re a former prisoner of war (POW)
- You have received a Purple Heart
- You have received a Medal of Honor
- You get (or qualify for) Medicaid benefits
- You served in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War between August 2, 1990, and November 11, 1998
- You served at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987
Or, you must have served in any of these locations during the Vietnam War era:
- Any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailand from January 9, 1962, through June 30, 1976
- Laos from December 1, 1965, through September 30, 1969
- Cambodia at Mimot or Krek, Kampong Cham Province from April 16, 1969, through April 30, 1969
- Guam or American Samoa or in the territorial waters off Guam or American Samoa from January 9, 1962, through July 31, 1980
- Johnston Atoll or on a ship that called at Johnston Atoll from January 1, 1972, through September 30, 1977
- Republic of Vietnam from January 9, 1962 through May 7, 1975
Local VA Health Care Facilities
VA Central Iowa Health Care (Mason City)
Mason City, Iowa Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
Phone: 641-421-8077 | 800-351-4671
Fax: 641-494-5005
VA Central Iowa Health Care (Des Moines)
Des Moines VA Medical Center
Phone: 515-699-5999 | 800-294-8387
Waterloo, Iowa VA Medical Center
Waterloo, Iowa VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic
Phone: 319-235-1230
Fax: 319-235-1229
Iowa City VA Medical Center
Phone: 319-338-0581 | 800-637-0128
VA Pharmacy Information
VA Central Iowa Health Care System Pharmacy (Des Moines/Mason City vets)
24/7 Automatic Refill Line: 1-855-560-1717 (Press 1)
Live person: 515-699-5832
Hear upcoming appointments: 1-855-560-1717 (Press 2)
Iowa City VA Health Care System (Waterloo/Coralville/Decorah/Iowa City vets)
24/7 Automatic Refill Line: 855-560-1720 (Press 2)
Live person: 319-338-0581 Ext. 5107
Hear upcoming appointments: 855-560-1720 (Press 1)
Hearing Aid Battery Refills (Denver, Colorado)
Phone: 303-273-6200
