Having Trouble Paying Your Copay?
Help is Available!
As a Veteran using VA health care services, you may be required to submit a copay for your care depending upon your assigned Priority Group. If this applies to you, and you are unable to pay your copays, financial assistance may be available. The VA Maryland Health Care System Billing Services Department encourages all Veterans to take a moment now to learn about your options.
In late 2016, delinquent, unpaid copayment fees from VA health care facilities nationwide began to be referred to a debt-collection program within the U.S. Department of Treasury called "Cross-Servicing." If you receive a VA bill for copayment fees, VA will remind you of the amount due in writing at least three times – usually 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days after your initial bill. If you cannot pay your bill, you can request assistance. But if you do not pay your bill, make arrangements to pay your bill, or seek assistance from VA within 120 days, it will automatically be referred to the Treasury Department. You will receive notification in writing from the Treasury when this happens.
Once your delinquent debt has gone to the Treasury Department, VA can no longer accept payment from you on that debt. You must work with the Treasury Department to make payments, make arrangements, or dispute your debt.
The Treasury may use several methods in an attempt to collect unpaid debt, including collection letters, phone calls, withholding of federal payments (i.e. tax refund, Social Security benefits, military pay, retirement pay), wage garnishment, and the use of a private collection agency. The Treasury Department will also begin to add collection fees, so any future payments you make to the Treasury will go first toward these fees, and then the remainder will go to your debt balance.
At no time will your access to health care be interrupted. Your health care services will continue regardless of debt collection activities. However, we strongly encourage you to check out these options prior to your debt being referred to the Treasury Department.
Department of Veterans
Affairs Billing Services
(within 120 days of receiving your bill)
866-393-0006
(weekdays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., EST)
|
Department of Treasury
Debt Management Services
(more than 120 days after receiving your bill)
888-826-3127
(weekdays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., EST)
|
Financial
Assistance
Options | What it does,
If approved | Form to
complete | Where to
find the
form online*
| What to include
with the form |
|---|
Repayment
Plan |
Spreads out your
charges over
monthly payments |
Agreement to Pay
Indebtedness (VA Form 1100) |
|
Propose the monthly
amount to pay, and include it with the completed form. |
Waiver
Request |
Waives part or all
of your debt |
Financial Status
Report (VA Form 5655) |
|
Include an explanation
of why you should not be
responsible for the debt.
You can also request a
hearing. |
| Compromise |
Determines a lesser
amount that will be
accepted as full
payment |
Financial Status
Report (VA Form 5655) |
|
Propose the lesser amount you think the VA should accept as payment in full |
Hardship
Determination |
Provides temporary
exemption from
copays |
Request for Hardship Determination (VA Form 10-10HS) |
|
Explain temporary
financial hardships |
Renew Your
Priority Statue |
Determines if you
are eligible for a
higher Priority
Group |
Health Benefits
Renewal (VA Form
10-10EZR) |
|
Provide an update on your financial information |
*Paper copies are also available from your social worker or Medical Administration Service at a VA Medical Center
|
