If you are a female veteran in need of maternity care, you may be entitled to maternity care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). To access your VA benefits, including maternity care, please do the following:
1. Verify Your Eligibility and Enroll in VA Benefits.
Your maternity care benefits depend on your discharge status, service dates, military branch, combat-related disability rating and other factors. Determine your eligibility status by applying for VA Benefits HERE.
Under the PACT Act, if you meet the requirements listed below, you can get free VA health care for any condition related to your service for up to 10 years from the date of your most recent discharge or separation. You can also enroll at any time during this period and get any care you need, but you may owe a copay for some care.
At least one of these must be true of your active-duty service:
- You served in a theater of combat operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War, or
- You served in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities after November 11, 1998
And this must be true for you:
- You were discharged or released on or after October 1, 2013
You can learn more about the PACT Act HERE.
2. Once enrolled in the VA system, contact your local VA medical facility and make an appointment.
You will be required to conduct an initial medical evaluation, similar to those conducted during military service. At this appointment, you will meet your healthcare team and get your medical records setup with the VA. You should be able to receive care through the VA, including maternity care, once you are established in the VA system. You can find your local VA facility HERE.
3. If you think you are pregnant or need prenatal care, contact your local VA medical facility and make an appointment with your medical provider.
At your appointment, your VA medical provider will conduct tests to confirm your pregnancy and/or determine how far along you are in your pregnancy.
If your pregnancy is confirmed, your VA medical provider will schedule your first prenatal appointment with a VA affiliated OBGYN (if available). You may be given an ultrasound to determine your due date and ensure that there are no immediate medical issues that require attention. You can find your local VA facility HERE.
4. If your local VA medical facility does not provide OBGYN prenatal care, you may be enrolled in the Community Care Network.
The VA Maternity Care Coordinator (MCC) will contact you and conduct an initial evaluation to help find you a local OBGYN provider through the Community Care Network. During this appointment, you will be asked general medical questions and may have the option to select the medical facility and medical provider of your choice. Learn more about the Community Care Network HERE and the MCC HERE.
IMPORTANT: Make sure that you advocate for your preference of medical provider or medical facility location during your initial appointment with the MCC. It is very difficult to change medical providers once the VA authorization process is complete.
5. The MCC will contact your preferred Community Care medical provider, or VA selected medical provider to schedule your first prenatal appointment.
The MCC will contact you with appointment information once your first appointment is scheduled. You will also receive a VA authorization letter that confirms your eligibility for the Community Care Network, authorized dates of service and care services. Your local MCC is responsible for helping you navigate the civilian health care system. Learn more about the MCC HERE.
6. Attend your first prenatal appointment with your Community Care civilian medical care provider.
You will undergo an initial prenatal medical evaluation with your civilian Community Care medical provider. All future prenatal, delivery and postpartum follow-up appointments should occur through your civilian medical provider office.
7. Postpartum care for you (up to 6 weeks) and baby (up to 7 days) should be included as part of your VA authorization.
Contact your local MCC if you have any questions about the services you are authorized to receive throughout your pregnancy. Your child may receive a separate VA authorization letter that shows dates of service and authorized care services for the first 7 days after delivery. Learn more about covered maternity care services HERE.
IMPORTANT: The VA provides nursing bras, lactation pads, breast pumps, breast pump supplies and maternity belts. Contact your MCC 6 – 8 weeks prior to your due date to request these free items.
8. Expectations for Billing and Co-Pays
If you receive maternity care through the Community Care Network, the VA is responsible for coordinating payment for services. Your financial obligation is dependent on your VA eligibility category. You may be required to pay a co-pay for maternity care related services.
Take your VA authorization letter and private medical insurance card (if applicable) with you to your first appointment. Your community care provider will use this information to bill insurance properly. Your civilian medical provider should bill the Community Care program directly for services rendered. The VA will review the billing information and send you a bill for any co-pays that are due for services.
If you receive a bill from your civilian provider, contact your MCC or Community Care Network Helpline immediately. They will help you contact your civilian medical provider and correct the billing issue. Learn more about co-pay requirements HERE.
The information presented on this page is not medical advice and is based on public information provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and my personal experience receiving maternity care through the VA. Please contact your local VA facility and medical provider regarding any medical questions.
