Comrades this is critical for some people. Contact the VA to see if this
applies to you or impacts family. In my opinion Congress should have
taken care of this.
21 Dec 2020
Military.com | By Jim Absher
Veterans who typically pay the Department of Veterans Affairs for
their medical care might be hit with a big bill in January after the VA
halted all collections in April 2020 — including those copays.
The copay bill letter, the VA warned in a Dec. 17 announcement, will ask
the recipient to pay for all “new copay charges for medical care and
prescriptions they received from April 6, 2020, through December 31,
2020.” The bills could also include unpaid amounts for care received
before April, it said.
In addition to the Dec. 17 release, which was shared by the VA through
email, affected veterans might have received a letter in the mail this
month notifying them of an upcoming bill.
That letter advised veterans of their account balance, which includes
any uncollected copays from April 6 and any outstanding medical debt
incurred prior to that date. It also said the VA would begin collecting
that money in January, and that no interest or fees will be charged on
the outstanding debt until that time.
VA officials said veterans who owe might be able to set up repayment
plans or request debt relief.
“We understand this may impose a financial burden on some of our
Veterans, and we’re doing everything we can to help,” officials said in
the release.
The notice sent by mail also included instructions for viewing and
paying the debt online by visiting pay.gov and entering your VA
account number. But that account number was not included on the notice.
Calls by Military.com to all four of the toll-free numbers listed on the
letter were unsuccessful in reaching a live person to explain the debt
or help locate an account number.
Lawmakers this month urged VA officials to once again defer debt
collections. Administration officials, however, said they plan to
move forward with repayment notices..
ABOUT VA COPAYS
Typically, if you have an injury or disability caused by your military
service, you are eligible to be treated for that condition by the VA for
free. Also, some veterans with lower income levels are exempt from
having to make copays for their medical care. And if your disability or
injury is severe enough for the VA to rate you at least 50% disabled for
compensation benefits, all of your medical care from the department is
free.
But veterans with a lower level of disability rating may have to pay the
VA a copayment for care, depending on what type of medical services you
get and what condition you are being treated for.
For example, if you are rated 10% disabled for high blood pressure, you
can get your doctor’s appointments for that condition and blood pressure
medication from the VA for free. But you must pay a copay for any
medicine or treatment that isn’t related to your high blood pressure.
STAY ON TOP OF YOUR MILITARY BENEFITS
Seasons Greetings and a Blessed New Year!
Submitted By,
Eric A. Arrington
District 6 VFW Service Officer
Some things are difficult!
Some things are a challenge!
Through training, experience or adversity; to the Heavens!
We play the hand we are dealt and adjust to the situation!
We fight to the bitter end to accomplish the mission!