Haris Ashley
Veterans Affairs (VA) health care works alongside other health insurance plans, including private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE. VA is required by law to bill private health insurance providers for medical care, supplies, and prescriptions for the treatment of veterans' non-service-connected conditions. However, veterans are not responsible for any remaining balance that their insurance carrier does not pay, except for VA copayments, which they may be required to pay depending on their assigned Priority Group. Veterans can pay their VA health care bills online, by phone, mail, or in person.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to pay your VA health care bill | Online, by phone, by mail, or in person |
| Who to contact for questions about the copay balance of your VA health care bill | The local billing department |
| What to bring when paying your copay bill in person | Payment stub, check or money order made payable to "VA", VA account number |
| What to bring to your health care appointment | Insurance card |
| Where to find information on how VA health care works with other health insurance | VA website |
| Where to find information on copay rates for outpatient care, hospital stays, medications, and other health services | VA website |
| What to do if you're struggling to pay your copays | Request a repayment plan, debt relief, or copay exemption |
| What to do if you disagree with the charges or amounts on your bill | File a dispute |
| How to update your address and other information | Update your VA.gov profile |
| What to do if you have questions about your bill or want to apply for a waiver or a hardship exemption | Contact the national contact center for veterans at 1-877-222-VETS (8387) |
What You'll Learn
Veterans don't pay for balances not covered by insurance
Veterans applying for and using VA medical care must provide their health insurance information, including coverage provided under policies of their spouses. However, veterans are not responsible for the remaining balance shown as patient responsibility on the explanation of benefits from their insurance carrier. This means that veterans are not responsible for any unpaid balance that the insurance carrier does not pay, except for VA copayments they may be required to pay, depending on their assigned Priority Group.
The VA is required by law to bill private health insurance carriers for medical care, supplies, and prescriptions provided for the treatment of veterans' non-service-connected conditions. This includes private health insurance coverage through a veteran or veteran's spouse, provided by an employer, veteran, or other non-federal source, including Medicare supplemental plans.
Payments received from a veteran's private health insurance carrier are credited towards any applicable VA copayments, reducing all or part of the veteran's out-of-pocket expenses. Many private health insurance companies will also apply VA health care charges towards satisfying a veteran's annual deductible and maximum out-of-pocket expenses.
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Veterans may be responsible for a VA copayment
Veterans in Priority Group 1 do not pay for medications. However, veterans in Priority Groups 2-8 are required to pay for each 30-day or less supply of medication for the treatment of nonservice-connected conditions.
Veterans who do not make their copayments upon discharge will receive a bill at their address of record within 30 days after their stay or appointment. If you are unable to pay your copayments, VA can help with alternate payment arrangements, including repayment plans, waivers, or a compromise.
Veterans who have copayments associated with VA health care are responsible for paying those obligations in a timely manner. Once a debt becomes 120 days old, it is referred to the Department of Treasury for collection, and VA can no longer accept payments or provide financial assistance.
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Private health insurance payments reduce out-of-pocket expenses
Private health insurance payments can reduce out-of-pocket expenses for veterans in several ways. Firstly, when a veteran's private health insurance provider pays the VA for non-service-connected care, these funds may be used to offset part or all of their VA copayment. This means that veterans with private insurance may end up paying less out-of-pocket for their healthcare. Additionally, many private insurance companies will apply VA healthcare charges towards a veteran's annual deductible and maximum out-of-pocket expense, further reducing the amount a veteran has to pay out-of-pocket.
Veterans applying for and using VA medical care must provide their health insurance information, including coverage provided by their spouse. While veterans are not responsible for any unpaid balance not covered by their insurance provider, they may be responsible for a VA copayment depending on their assigned Priority Group. It is important to note that a veteran's insurance coverage or lack thereof does not determine their eligibility for treatment at a VA healthcare facility.
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Veterans can pay VA bills online, by phone, mail, or in person
Veterans can pay their VA bills online, by phone, mail, or in person.
Online
Veterans can pay their VA bills online through the secure Pay.gov website. They can pay directly from their bank account or by debit or credit card. To make an online payment, you will need your account number, which can be found on your billing statement. You can also set up recurring payments through Pay.gov.
By Phone
Veterans can pay their VA bills by phone by calling 888-827-4817 (TTY: 711). You will need your account number to pay by phone.
By Mail
Veterans can pay their VA bills by mail by sending their payment stub and a check or money order made payable to "VA" to the following address:
Department of Veterans Affairs
PO Box 3978
Portland, OR 97208-3978
Be sure to include your account number on the check or money order.
In Person
Veterans can pay their VA bills in person by going to the VA health facility that sent the bill and asking for the agent cashier's office. Bring your payment stub, along with a check or money order made payable to "VA." Include your account number on the check or money order.
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Veterans must provide their health insurance information
Veterans applying for and using VA medical care must provide their health insurance information, including coverage provided under their spouses' policies. This is because the VA is required by law to bill private health insurance carriers for medical care, supplies, and prescriptions provided for the treatment of non-service-connected conditions. Non-service-connected conditions refer to illnesses or injuries that are unrelated to military service.
Veterans are not responsible for any unpaid balance that their insurance carrier does not pay, except for VA copayments that they may be required to pay, depending on their assigned Priority Group. However, payments received from a veteran's private health insurance carrier are credited towards any applicable VA copayments, reducing all or part of the veteran's out-of-pocket expenses.
Many private health insurance companies will apply VA healthcare charges toward satisfying a veteran's annual deductible and maximum out-of-pocket expenses. It is always a good idea to inform VA doctors if you are receiving care outside of the VA so your healthcare can be coordinated.
To provide or update their insurance information, enrolled veterans can:
- Use the online Health Benefits Renewal form (10-10-EZR) at www.vets.gov/healthcare/apply/
- Call 1-877-222-VETS (8387) Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET
- Present their health insurance card to the clinic clerk during check-in
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Frequently asked questions
You can pay your VA health care bill online, by phone, mail, or in person. To pay in person, visit the agent cashier's office and bring your payment stub, along with a check or money order made payable to "VA". Be sure to include your VA account number on the check or money order.
If you're struggling to pay your copays, you can learn how to request a repayment plan, debt relief, or copay exemption. You can also find out how to file a dispute if you disagree with the charges or amounts on your bill.
If you have another form of health coverage, such as Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or a private insurance plan through your spouse's employer, please bring your insurance card with you to your health care appointment.
A copayment is a payment that may be charged for inpatient care, outpatient care, outpatient prescriptions, and long-term care. Copayments are due upon discharge from the hospital and can be made at the agent cashier located at each campus. If you don't pay upon discharge, you will receive a bill at your address within 30 days.
