Texas Veteran Healthcare 2026
Table of Content:
- Texas Veteran Health Insurance and Healthcare Benefits
- VA Healthcare Texas
- Veteran Nursing Homes in Texas: Long-Term Care for Veterans
- List of VA Hospitals in Texas and VA Medical Facilities in Texas
- TRICARE for Life Texas Retirees
- Mental Health and Counseling Resources for Veterans in Texas
Veterans living in Texas frequently get overwhelmed navigating their healthcare and insurance options following military service. Fortunately, the state offers extensive Veteran resource centers in Texas focused on veterans. Whether you’re eligible for specialized service for mental and long-term care, state-supported facilities, or federally-funded programs, there are many paths tailored to your needs.
Continue reading for your comprehensive 2026 guide to understanding and navigating Texas veteran healthcare benefits. Discover how to access care, where to turn for help, and which programs are applicable.
Texas Veteran Health Insurance and Healthcare Benefits
In terms of veteran healthcare benefits, you have multiple options that span the federal, state, and local levels available through Veteran resource centers in Texas.
Federal Benefits via the VA
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is the primary federal healthcare pathway. Once determined eligible, veterans can enroll in care at the many VA medical centers in Texas, as well as at broader VA medical facilities throughout the state. These facilities provide primary and specialty care, mental health services, surgeries, and additional support. Importantly, all major VA facilities in Texas are part of the VA VISN 17 regional network, which covers Texas.
TRICARE Texas and Other Federal Programs
In addition to standard coverage, you may be one of the many veterans with access to other federal programs. Depending on retirement status, service status, and other criteria, you might be able to access TRICARE or similar benefits. For instance, TRICARE works with the VA system. Veterans who qualify enjoy a wide federal safety net involving multiple overlapping programs.
State-Level Support and Texas-Specific Benefits
Texas offers veteran-specific support in addition to federal programs. State veterans homes offer long-term care opportunities. The state also provides outreach, cost-assistance, and support for veterans who need help navigating their benefits. For example, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) runs the program responsible for state veteran homes. When examining your veteran healthcare benefits, consider both federal and state pathways.
Eligibility and Access
Eligibility depends on your military service history, disability and discharge status, and whether you’re a Texas resident or live in the state. Some programs have income requirements.
Veterans who apply for VA care must have a history of active military service, be eligible, and not have been dishonorably discharged from the military. TRICARE eligibility for veterans will depend on whether you’re enrolled in the Medicare program for retirees and your retirement status. For veteran nursing homes in Texas, you must meet the conditions of veteran status; however, you’ll also need to establish proof of residence and a physician stating your need for long-term care.
The following section provides a deeper look into VA care enrollment in Texas, enabling you to understand the process involved.
VA Healthcare Texas
Accessing VA-based care is integral to your veteran healthcare benefits. Knowing how to handle VA medical enrollment in Texas involves the criteria, finding facilities, and the programs available to you in the state.
Eligibility Criteria for VA Healthcare in Texas
VA healthcare eligibility in Texas is based on a set of multiple standards, including:
- Active duty service
- Discharge status
- Service-connected disability or other qualifying factors
Applying to VA healthcare is a necessary step. VA medical enrollment in Texas categories includes service-connected disabilities and non-service-connected disability cases; each has unique eligibility criteria.
How To Enroll and Find a Facility
Visit the VA website to apply for enrollment in VA healthcare in Texas, as many forms are available to you online. After enrollment, you’ll be assigned or allowed to select a VA medical center in Texas or one of the many VA medical facilities Texas has to offer near you. It’s wise to contact the enrollment office or patient services of a specific facility to confirm wait times, available services, and whether or not you need to transfer existing records.
Levels of Care and Special Programs
Once you’re enrolled, you’ll be eligible to receive various services, including specialty care, rehabilitation, home-based care, mental health services, and prosthetics. Texas veterans can access key service features, such as women’s health programs, substance-use disorder care, outpatient clinics, and coordination with Medicare and TRICARE for eligible veterans.
Do note that some options are only available at larger centers. However, several satellite facilities improve access in rural communities.
Tips for Texas Veterans
Ensure your documentation is in order, including your discharge status, service records, disability rating, and DD-214. Don’t skip enrolling in VA care if you already have Medicare or private health insurance; having VA care presents you with more options. Keeping your contact information updated with the VA lets you receive notices of new clinics, specialty access, and program changes.
Enrolling in VA care in Texas and picking a nearby facility positions you to take full advantage of your Texas veteran healthcare benefits. Next, read about the long-term care aspects of veteran nursing homes in Texas and state veterans homes.
Veteran Nursing Homes in Texas: Long-Term Care for Veterans
Texas operates state-run homes that provide long-term nursing care, skilled nursing services, and other healthcare benefits as part of its veteran healthcare benefits.
Locations
The following is a representative list of Texas state veterans homes:
- Ussery-Roan Texas State Veterans Home: Amarillo
- Lamun-Lusk-Sanchez Texas State Veterans Home: Big Spring
- Clyde W. Cosper Texas State Veterans Home: Bonham
- Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home: El Paso
- Frank M. Tejeda Texas State Veterans Home: Floresville
- William R. Courtney Texas State Veterans Home: Temple
- Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home: McAllen
- Watkins-Logan-Garrison Texas State Veterans Home: Tyler
- Richard A. Anderson Texas State Veterans Home: Houston
You can find comprehensive lists of all available locations at the following resources:
- glo.texas.gov
- caretexas.net
- nasvh.org
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements usually include Veteran status with a discharge other than dishonorable. You also need Texas residency or a specific connection to the state. A physician must determine your medical need for long-term memory care or nursing. Veterans with a 70% or higher service-connected disability might qualify for free residence in these homes.
Types of Care Available
Skilled nursing care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Certain facilities offer memory care or Alzheimer’s units, or both. Speech, occupational, and physical therapies are standard options; some homes also provide alternative therapies, such as art, music, or pet therapy. VA per-diem subsidies generally mean these facilities cost less than private nursing homes.
What To Do Next
The Texas General Land Office website has downloadable application forms for Texas state Veterans homes. Budget accordingly. Even if you have a high service-connected disability, other costs might apply based on your status; these include private pay and room and board.
Continue to the next section to learn about VA hospitals and VA medical facilities in Texas to see where you can access care.
List of VA Hospitals in Texas and VA Medical Facilities in Texas
VA medical centers in Texas offer options across the state, allowing you to utilize your Texas Veteran healthcare benefits fully.
Major VA Hospitals / Medical Centers in Texas
If you’re wondering how many VA hospitals are in Texas, the following are seven of the major VA medical facilities in Texas that you can access.
VA North Texas Health Care System – Dallas VA Medical Center
- Address: 4500 S Lancaster Rd, Dallas, TX 75216
- Coverage: Primary and specialty care, mental health, outpatient clinics in Dallas/Garland/Bonham.
VA Central Texas Health Care System — Temple, TX
- Address: 1901 Veterans Memorial Dr, Temple, TX 76504 for the central hub
- Coverage: Includes multi-specialty care and regional outpatient clinics across central Texas.
VA South Texas Veterans Health Care System
- Address: 7400 Merton Minter Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78229
- Coverage: Covers the San Antonio region and the South Texas area clinics.
VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System — Harlingen, TX
- Address: 2601 Veterans Drive, Harlingen, TX 78550
- Coverage: Serving the Rio Grande Valley and coastal bend regions and other sites (Brownsville, Corpus Christi).
VA West Texas Health Care System — Big Spring, TX
- Address: 300 Veterans Blvd, Big Spring, TX 79720
- Coverage: Supporting clinics in Abilene, San Angelo, and Odessa.
VA Amarillo Health Care System — Amarillo, TX
Address: 6010 Amarillo Boulevard West, Amarillo TX 79106
VA El Paso Health Care System
- Address: 5001 North Piedras Street, El Paso, TX 79930
Unique Services To Note
Many VA hospitals provide prosthetics programs, mental health services, substance use disorder care, and women’s health services. The West Texas system offers remote clinics in Odessa, Abilene, and San Angelo. Veterans living in the Coastal Bend area or the Rio Grande Valley can find clinics in McAllen, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, and Harlingen.
TRICARE for Life Texas Retirees
Retired Veterans living in Texas should be aware that a crucial component of Texas Veteran healthcare benefits may be available through TRICARE for Life, which is often listed as TFL.
What Is TRICARE for Life?
Retired Veteran TRICARE for Life for Texas retirees is a Medicare wraparound coverage that’s reserved for both military retirees and select family members who have Medicare Parts A and B and TRICARE eligibility. If you fit these requirements, TFL fills many gaps and coordinates payment for many forms of care.
Coverage and Costs
Texas Veterans looking into this frequently have two common questions:
- How much is TRICARE for Life for retired Veterans?
- What does TRICARE for LIFE cover for retirees?
When you receive care at a non-VA facility or provider and Medicare covers the service, it’s Medicare that pays first, and TRICARE for Life pays next. Suppose you receive care at a VA facility. In that case, any TRICARE coverage is available on a space-available basis, with a maximum payment of 20% of the allowable charges for receiving non-VA care at a VA facility. For the majority of services covered by both TFL and Medicare, out-of-pocket costs are usually nothing or minimal; you might pay for services that are not covered. The TFL phone contact is 1.866.773.0404.
How It Applies in Texas
Step one for a Texas retiree is verifying your enrollment in Medicare Parts A and B. TRICARE eligibility would follow, becoming a part of your suite of Texas Veteran healthcare benefits. If you receive care from a private physician, specialist, or hospital that’s outside the VA system, Medicare will pay first; TRICARE for Life may cover the remainder, but this coverage is subject to certain conditions. You can access care through your VA enrollment at VA hospitals and medical facilities in Texas; however, TRICARE will only assist with select non-VA services, subject to space availability. Having both TFL and VA enrollment gives retired Texas Veterans the maximum flexibility.
Mental Health and Counseling Resources for Veterans in Texas
Texas Veteran mental health services are crucial and yet often overlooked. Veterans can access a wide variety of services, including Texas Veteran mental health services, Veteran counseling in Texas, and options for Veteran resource centers in Texas.
VA Mental Health Services
Veteran counseling in Texas services include mental health clinics and substance use disorder programs. Other services include residential care, women’s mental health, peer support programs, Veteran-specific group therapy, intensive outpatient programs, outpatient therapy, and tele-mental health.
Counseling and Veteran Resource Centers in Texas
Beyond the federal system, Texas offers Veteran resources, including Veteran counseling options and Veteran resource centers within its state network. These can include, but are not limited to, peer-to-peer Veteran groups, local county Veteran services offices, nonprofit Veteran support organizations, and community-based outreach centers. These aren’t always directly funded by the VA, but they’re integral components of the Texas Veteran mental health services landscape. For example, many Texas counties operate Veteran services offices that partner with the VA and local providers of mental health services, providing referrals to Veteran resource centers in Texas.
Accessing Services and Tips
Veteran resource centers in Texas offer options for accessing counseling and inquiring about mental health screenings; early outreach improves outcomes. If you or someone you care about is facing a crisis now, the Veterans Crisis Line is here 24/7 by dialing 988 and then pressing 1.
If you’re considering non-VA counseling, check whether providers accept Medicare, TRICARE, or offer sliding-scale payment options. Veteran peer support programs exist across Texas and understand military culture and service-connected mental health conditions.
Honoring Service Through Better Healthcare
Your Texas Veteran healthcare benefits include a wide variety of resources and programs. Enjoy your well-earned enrollment in VA care. If you’re retired, participating in TRICARE for Life could be an option. Veterans across the state should explore their options for mental health and counseling services tailored for Veterans and long-term care options in Texas state Veterans homes. From community clinics and Veteran resource centers in Texas to major VA hospitals in Texas, the infrastructure is in place; what remains is for you to take the next step.
If you haven’t yet applied for VA health care in Texas, consider doing so now. Are you a retired Veteran? Determine if TRICARE for Life aligns with your coverage strategy. If long-term skilled care is a possibility for you or someone you love, the state’s Veterans homes are a distinctly Veteran-centric avenue to explore. Always remember that Texas offers Veteran-specific options beyond generic care, including counseling and mental health services, if you have specific needs.
Your service to your country earned you these benefits. Texas offers them as just one way to honor your commitment. Reach out, enroll, and access care. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with quality support and healthcare that await you.
Explore other texas veteran resources
Below you’ll find a complete breakdown of Texas veteran benefits and support programs available in 2026. These categories cover everything from VA compensation, healthcare, education, housing, and employment, to financial assistance, legal help, family benefits, and exclusive veteran discounts. Each section links to detailed guides designed to help veterans, service members, and families understand eligibility, application steps, and how to access the support they’ve earned.
