Billing: Qs and As

Q: I am a recently discharged combat veteran. Must I pay VA copayments?

A: If the services are provided for the treatment of a condition that may be related to your military service, you will not be charged for any copayments. This benefit is limited to a two-year period following your military discharge. You will, however, be subject to means testing (and copayments, if applicable) for care of any condition clearly not related to your military service such as a broken limb or a problem that existed prior to entering the service.

Q: Why does the VA require my income be updated annually?
My income doesn’t change that much.

A: Updating your income information, also known as the Means Test, helps determine the enrollment priority group for each veteran and whether he or she is eligible for cost-free VA health care. Higher income veterans may be required to share in the expense of their care by making copayments.

Q: If my insurance pays VA, why do I still receive a bill from VA?

A: The bill that goes to the insurance company is for the actual cost of the care that was provided to you. When your insurance company pays on the claim submitted by the VA Maryland Health Care System, then VA “credits” your copayment obligation. The insurance payment does not always eliminate your VA copayment obligation. The VA copayment bill is a separate bill and cannot be submitted to your insurance company. In these cases, you may be responsible for a small balance of the copayment.

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