If you’re a veteran dealing with serious, life-limiting disabilities or need daily assistance to function, you could be missing out on one of the VA’s most powerful benefit levels: Priority Group 4. This top-tier healthcare category offers zero out-of-pocket costs—no copays, no medication charges, and no surprise bills. But despite its enormous value, many veterans aren’t even aware they qualify.
Here’s exactly who fits into Priority Group 4, what benefits you’re entitled to, and how to get enrolled.
What Is VA Priority Group 4?
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) assigns all veterans a priority group from 1 to 8 when they enroll in VA healthcare. These groups determine how quickly you receive care and what, if anything, you’ll pay out-of-pocket.
Priority Group 4 is reserved for the most medically and functionally vulnerable veterans, and it comes with the highest level of free VA healthcare coverage. Veterans in this group are either:
-
Receiving Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits, meaning they need help with basic daily tasks like bathing, dressing, or eating,
or -
Have been classified by the VA as having a “catastrophic disability”, which refers to a long-term condition that severely limits your ability to function, such as paralysis, traumatic brain injury, or advanced multiple sclerosis.
These veterans are often facing life-altering circumstances—and Priority Group 4 ensures their healthcare needs are met without adding financial strain.
What Benefits Come with Group 4?
Veterans in Group 4 enjoy full VA healthcare at zero cost. Here’s what that means in real terms:
-
No copays for outpatient or inpatient care, even for non-service-connected conditions
-
Free prescription medications
-
No charges for long-term care, including home-based services or nursing home stays, when medically needed
-
Cash support through the Aid and Attendance pension, which provides extra monthly income for veterans who require personal care assistance
Group 4 essentially guarantees veterans never have to choose between paying rent and getting medical care.
Who Qualifies?
To be placed in Group 4, you must meet one of the following:
-
Be officially approved for Aid and Attendance or Housebound status under the VA pension program
-
Have a VA-determined catastrophic disability, often confirmed through detailed medical records or a VA disability exam
It’s important to note: being severely disabled does not automatically place you in Group 4. You must have the right documentation, and your VA healthcare enrollment must reflect your current status.
How to Apply or Check Your Status
-
Complete VA Form 10-10EZ to apply for health benefits
-
If you already have Aid and Attendance or are housebound, mention it in your application
-
If you believe you have a catastrophic disability, you may need a formal evaluation by the VA
-
Contact your VA medical center or Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to confirm your current priority group assignment
If your condition has worsened or you think you’ve been miscategorized, don’t wait—request a reassessment. Group 4 benefits can be life-changing.
Why This Matters
Healthcare costs can be overwhelming, especially for veterans who require constant care or support. Priority Group 4 is the VA’s way of ensuring that its most vulnerable veterans—those who gave the most—receive comprehensive, worry-free coverage.
Still, many eligible veterans remain in lower groups because they haven’t applied for the necessary status upgrades or simply don’t know about Group 4. If that’s you—or someone you care for—it’s time to take action.
