New York State is home to 555,400 veterans ages 19 and older.[1] While most rely on military-related health coverage such as Veterans Affairs (VA) health care[2] or TRICARE, Medicaid is an increasingly critical source of coverage, particularly for older veterans and those with complex health needs. Nationally, the share of veterans enrolled in Medicaid grew from 8% to 10% between 2013 and 2023.[3] Many veterans are enrolled in more than one type of program or insurance, including VA health care, TRICARE, Medicare, private insurance, and Medicaid.
In New York State, 82,900 veterans—15% of the State’s veteran population—are enrolled in Medicaid, the highest proportion in the country.
In the wake of federal reductions to Medicaid funding, veterans are particularly vulnerable to the impact of these cuts. While many New York veterans use or are eligible for VA health care, about 43% remain outside the VA system. Some of these veterans, along with those who also receive VA services, depend on Medicaid to help meet their health care needs.[4] For some veterans managing chronic conditions, disabilities, or behavioral health challenges, Medicaid provides essential continuity of care and helps reduce out-of-pocket costs when other insurance options fall short.
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Ages of Veterans Enrolled in Medicaid
Source: KFF (2025)
- More than half of New York State’s veteran Medicaid enrollees are ages 65 and older, making Medicaid’s role in supplementing other forms of coverage—by helping to reduce out-of-pocket costs and cover services such as long–term care—especially important.
Health Care Access and Utilization by Veteran Status
Source: New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2021)
- Veterans in New York State have higher rates of insurance coverage than the State’s adult population.[5] Veterans also have higher rates of accessing and utilizing health care services than the general population, suggesting that Medicaid coverage plays a role in ensuring veterans have health insurance coverage that enables ongoing engagement in care.
Health Outcomes by Veteran Status [6]
Source: RAND (2024), New York State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2021)
- Despite high engagement in health care, veterans have worse physical and mental health status compared to the civilian population. Medicaid can play a crucial role in supporting equitable health outcomes by maintaining access to essential health care services.
References
[1] KFF (2025). “5 Key Facts About Medicaid and Veterans,” https://www.kff.org/medicaid/5-key-facts-about-medicaid-and-veterans/, accessed July 2025.
[2] “VA health care” refers to the nationwide health care system operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs. It is a delivery system, not an insurance program, and services are generally provided only within VA facilities.
[3] KFF (2025). “5 Key Facts About Medicaid and Veterans,” https://www.kff.org/medicaid/5-key-facts-about-medicaid-and-veterans/, accessed July 2025.
[4] National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, VA’s National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics § (n.d.). https://www.data.va.gov/stories/s/dbya-s55i.
[5] The “civilian” population excludes individuals currently serving on active duty in the U.S. military, whereas the “adult” population includes all individuals ages 18 and older, regardless of veteran status.
[6] “Recently separated veterans” refers to individuals who left active-duty service within the past 10 years, whereas “veterans” includes all individuals who have ever served on active duty, regardless of when they separated. Data sources differ between groups: estimates for recently separated veterans come from RAND’s Needs Assessment of Veterans Recently Separated from the Military (2024), while data for veterans and civilians come from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2021).