Healthcare Benefits at 60% VA Disability Rating: What’s Covered and What’s Not

What Does a 60% VA Disability Rating Actually Mean?

A 60% VA disability rating means the VA agrees your service-connected condition(s) play a big role in messing with your life. But you’re not considered totally disabled. You’re somewhere in the middle. One foot in the covered zone, the other still paying out of pocket—depending on the treatment or benefit. Here’s what matters most: That number isn’t just about a monthly check. It’ll shape your access to healthcare benefits at the VA, including eligibility tiers and copay responsibilities.

First Up – What Healthcare Is Fully Covered at 60%?

Let’s get into what’s good. If you’ve got a 60% disability rating, the doors open wide for a bunch of VA medical benefits.

Here’s a speed-list of what’s **typically covered** with no copay:

• Primary Care Visits – Think check-ups, illness visits, and regular doctor appointments.
• Mental Health Counseling – Counseling, therapy, PTSD support, substance use programs.
• Specialty Care – Cardiologists, neurologists, orthopedic specialists—all included within the VA system.
• Urgent Care – Two visits yearly to in-network community urgent care clinics.
• Hospital Inpatient Services – If you’re admitted, the VA foots the bill.
• Preventive Services and Screenings – Flu shots, screenings, TB tests. All that stuff is good to go.
• Lab Work and Diagnostic Testing – X-rays, blood work, other tests ordered by your VA doc.
• Medications Related to Service-Connected Conditions – No out-of-pocket costs for meds tied to your rated conditions.

Basically, the VA should cover just about anything tied directly to your disability. And general care under their system? You get a lot of that too—especially under Priority Group 1 through 3.

What Doesn’t VA Healthcare Cover at 60%?

Here’s where most people start getting pissed—because some stuff you’d assume is included… isn’t. Not fully. Or you’ll still owe copays unless it’s linked to your service-connected disabilities.

Here’s where you might get hit with costs:

• Dental Care – At 60%, you’re usually not eligible unless you’ve got a dental rating or other qualifying condition. VA dental is super limited. Most folks either pay out of pocket or get third-party dental insurance.
• Vision and Eyeglasses – Unless the vision loss is service-connected, you’re buying glasses on your own dime. Period.
• Hearing Aids – Covered only if hearing issues are rated; otherwise, nope. These things are pricey outside VA channels.
• Long-Term Care or Assisted Living – This stuff isn’t just “not covered.” It can put a major hole in your finances if you’re not ready. Unless you’re 100% disabled or meet income thresholds, you’ll need extra planning here.
• Alternative Therapies – Acupuncture, massage, and holistic care? Rarely covered.
• Care Outside the VA Without Approval – If you walk into a civilian doc or clinic without a VA referral or pre-auth? That bill’s yours.

That’s why a ton of vets pair up with Medicare or private health insurance. The VA doesn’t do everything.

Where Does Priority Group Come Into Play?

This is where some people’s benefits change— even with the same 60% disability rating. Veterans with 50% or more get slotted into Priority Group 1 through 3. That’s the VIP lane in VA healthcare.

At 60%, you’re likely in Group 1 or Group 2—meaning:

• • No copays for most outpatient or inpatient services
  • Guaranteed access to care without long waits (usually… I said usually)

Sounds great. Just know it’s not a catch-all. Some vision, dental, and non-service-related treatment still isn’t free. Want to see how your rating ranks against other benefits? Check out the full VA benefits map on realpha.com/blog.

Your Monthly Payments Aren’t the Whole Picture

As of 2024, a 60% VA disability rating gets you about $1,361.88 per month for a single vet (no dependents).

Add a spouse, child, or parent? It goes up.

But the real move here is stacking that monthly compensation alongside smart use of your healthcare benefits. Why?

• Cut out-of-pocket medical costs
• Use the VA for core services, then go private for the fringe stuff (like dental)
• Build custom coverage that fits your lifestyle

FAQs 

Do I pay copays for prescriptions?

If the med is for a service-connected condition—you’re covered. If not, you’ll probably pay a copay (just a few bucks per script though).

Can I still go to non-VA providers if I want?

Yes, but only if you’re referred AND approved. Do it on your own, and the cost is on you—every penny.

Does VA cover emergency room visits at non-VA hospitals?

Sometimes. But the rules are strict. If VA didn’t approve it, or you could’ve gone to a VA ER, they may deny the claim.

What about travel reimbursement for VA appointments?

If you’re at 60%, and meet a travel/mileage threshold, yep. You can get cash back for transportation. Gas money adds up real quick.

Is dental ever covered at 60%?

Straight answer: rarely. Unless the dental issue is linked to a service-connected condition, you’ll likely need outside coverage.

Does VA help with family members’ care?

Not really. Some support exists for caregivers, but your 60% rating doesn’t unlock Tricare-level dependents’ coverage. You’ll need private plans for them.

Conclusion:

while a 60% VA disability rating unlocks key health-related benefits like free care for service-connected conditions, veterans should be aware of gaps in coverage—especially for dental, vision, and long-term care. To fully protect their health and finances, it’s crucial to understand these limits and explore supplemental options. Leveraging both VA benefits and outside coverage ensures more complete care and fewer financial surprises.