The Memphis Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) is grateful to the men and women who risked their lives to fight terrorism in Afghanistan, Iraq and many other places around the world. We thank you for your service to our country and look forward to assisting you in your transition from active duty to Veteran Status.
It is very important to note that you have five years from your date of discharge to receive free VA health care for any condition that may be related to combat or service related condition. After the five years, access to VA health care service may depend on military history factors, and/or household income. For more information please contact VA Memphis Eligibility and Enrollment (901-523-8990 Ext. 7498.) or a member of the Transition and Care Management Team (901-523-8990 Ext. 6338 or Ext. 6340).
The VA has developed special programs to serve the nation’s newest Veterans by assisting them with a smooth transition from active duty to civilian life, Our aim is to provide support to new veterans by facilitating access to medical and/or mental health care, helping to navigate the VA system, and provide coordination of benefits, outreach and education.
Transition and Care Management Program:
The Transition and Care Management (TCM) Program, previously known as Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn (OEF/OIF/OND) Program, helps to ensure a smooth transition of health care services is provided for all returning service members and Veterans. The Transition and Care Management Team also provides case management and care coordination for all severely ill, injured and impaired OEF/OIF/OND Combat Veterans, including those suffering from:
- Mental Illness
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Blindness
- Combat Related Hazardous Exposure
- Deployment Related Amputation
- Terminal Illness/Injury
- Polytrauma
- Other conditions not mentioned above that cause significant impairment to daily living.
VA Benefits
To file a disability claim or to get more information about other VA benefits, please call: 1-800-827-1000
Special Eligibility and Coordination of Care for Combat Veterans Serving in Combat Theater After 11/11/1998- Returning service members (OEF/OIF/OND)
The Post-9/11 Transition and Care Management Program offers transitional assistance, case management and outreach services to all Veterans who have served after September 11, 2001 in their transition to civilian life. For more information about the various programs available for recent returning service members, log on to the Returning Service members web site.
Veterans who served in a theater of combat operations also have special eligibility for VA health care. Under the "Combat Veteran" authority VA provides cost-free health care services and nursing home care for conditions possibly related to military service and enrollment in Priority Group 6 or higher for 5 years from the date of discharge or release from active duty, unless eligible for enrollment in a higher priority group.
Combat Veterans who enroll with VA under this enhanced Combat Veteran authority will continue to be enrolled even after their enhanced eligibility period ends, although they may be shifted to Priority Group 7 or 8, depending on their income level, and required to make applicable copays. Additionally, for care not related to combat service, copays may be required depending on their financial assessment and other special eligibility factors.
NOTE: The 5-year enrollment period applicable to these Veterans begins on the discharge or separation date of the service member from active duty military service, or in the case of multiple call-ups, the most recent discharge date.
Visit the Former Prisoners of War Program page