Veterans

Wounded Bear

(60,688 posts) Wed Mar 24, 2021, 08:33 AM Mar 2021

VA forgiving copays? Cross posted in GD...

As a veteran on Level 7, I pay copays for all of my prescriptions and some of my office visits. This would be a big deal. This is the first I have heard of this.

https://www.myhealth.va.gov/mhv-portal-web/web/myhealthevet/ss20210323-copayment-debt-refunds-forgiveness

Copayment Debt: Refunds, Forgiveness
American Recovery Plan also waives copayments through September 2021

A male Veteran fills out paperworkVA copayments for medical care will be waived, refunded, or forgiven under the American Recovery Plan. If you're a Veteran who receives care through VA, here's what this means for you:

If you received a statement with copayment charges from April 6, 2020, or later, we'll remove these charges. You won't need to pay them.

If you already paid any copay charges from April 6, 2020, or later, we'll send you a refund.

If you have unpaid copay charges from before April 6, 2020, you don't have to make payments until September 30, 2021. We won't add fees or interest or take other collection action on these charges during this time. But you can still make payments if you'd like. Find out how to pay your VA copay bill.

You don't need to do anything at this time to get a refund. We ask for your patience as we work to adjust statements and send refunds.

Would love to hear from fellow Vets if you have received the same notice.

8 replies

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Highlight:

VA forgiving copays? Cross posted in GD... (Original Post) Wounded Bear Mar 2021 OP

I got it. Surprised me-- no idea it was coming. TreasonousBastard Mar 2021 #1

Me either. Just showed up on my email... Wounded Bear Mar 2021 #2

I got the same email from myhealthevet taxi Mar 2021 #3

I've never gotten paperless statements either... Wounded Bear Mar 2021 #4

This may help: taxi Mar 2021 #5

1+ keithbvadu2 Mar 2021 #6

I first saw the GP6971 Mar 2021 #7

I saw that letter, too... Wounded Bear Mar 2021 #8

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)

1. I got it. Surprised me-- no idea it was coming.

Reply to Wounded Bear (Original post)

Wed Mar 24, 2021, 08:41 AM

Mar 2021

Wounded Bear

(60,688 posts)

2. Me either. Just showed up on my email...

Reply to TreasonousBastard (Reply #1)

Wed Mar 24, 2021, 08:44 AM

Mar 2021

thought I'd give any DU Vets a heads up, though. It's a big deal for me. I pay $50-75/month on co-pays.

The only caveat I have is the line about a statement. I haven't received a statement from the VA since the whole covid thing started. I'm kind of flying in the dark on that, I just take a guess and send them some bucks based on my prescriptions received and whether I had any appointments.

Good news though. I'll take any money they want to send me.

taxi

(1,944 posts)

3. I got the same email from myhealthevet

Reply to Wounded Bear (Original post)

Wed Mar 24, 2021, 08:53 AM

Mar 2021

On to the myhealthevet website, I typed 'paperless' in the search box. Nothing was found. I guess we will never know how to switch from on-line statements to paper ones, or vice versa. They must have upgraded the system!

Wounded Bear

(60,688 posts)

4. I've never gotten paperless statements either...

Reply to taxi (Reply #3)

Wed Mar 24, 2021, 09:07 AM

Mar 2021

since the start of covid, I have not received anything from VA about my bill.

I don't even know how to figure out my balance.

taxi

(1,944 posts)

5. This may help:

Reply to Wounded Bear (Reply #4)

Wed Mar 24, 2021, 09:21 AM

Mar 2021

For Statement Questions or Address Change: Call - 1-866-793-4591

Waiver: You have the right to request a waiver of part or all of your debt. [link:http://www.va.gov/vaforms] Type VA5655 into the box.

Compromise offer: You have the right to request a compromise. (same as above)

Hardship determination: You have the right to request a Hardship Determination which provides an exemption from future outpatient and inpatient copayments for the remaining calendar year. [link:http://www.va.gov/vaforms] Type 10-10HS into the box.

Reduce or eliminate your copayments: If you have private health insurance, including coverage provided under spouse's policies: [link:http://www.1010ez.med.va.gov]

Submitting your request: In person, or mail to the address of your parent VA Medical Center. (mine is Bay Pines)

and not a damned word about paper statements - situation normal...

keithbvadu2

(40,120 posts)

6. 1+

Reply to Wounded Bear (Original post)

Wed Mar 24, 2021, 09:41 AM

Mar 2021

GP6971

(32,982 posts)

7. I first saw the

Reply to Wounded Bear (Original post)

Wed Mar 24, 2021, 11:40 AM

Mar 2021

announcement about a week ago in a military.com report. And then I saw it in a VA newsletter a couple of days ago.

I received a letter from the VA in late November saying they would resume billing in January and never received anything. So now with the announcement it ends up being 18 months of no copays. Every little bit helps.

Wounded Bear

(60,688 posts)

8. I saw that letter, too...

Reply to GP6971 (Reply #7)

Wed Mar 24, 2021, 01:37 PM

Mar 2021

up until covid I got a monthly statement and the letter said it would start coming again.

Hey, I'm down with it. Helps me out a bit.

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