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VA provides Veterans, Servicemembers, and their families with $1.3 trillion
in insurance coverage each year. VA also offers a variety of life insurance options
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers several benefits for the children of veterans:
(1) education benefits — servicemembers may transfer the GI Bill to their dependent
children before leaving service; (2) health care — CHAMPVA provides coverage to eligible
dependent children; (3) life insurance — family coverage is available to members insured under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI); and (4) memorial benefits — minor or unmarried adult children may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery. Also, specific benefits are available for children of servicemembers who died or were seriously injured in the line of duty.
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When you can't work, there are three programs that can help: Social Security
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Veterans of the United States Uniformed Services may be
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Benefits from Other Federal Agencies
A general list of other Federal agencies that
offer benefit programs and resources for
Service members, Veterans, and their families.
Veterans Legal Help Navigator
Welcome to the Veterans Legal Help Navigator. This online tool helps veterans' caseworkers and advocates across the country find the right fit legal help for veterans.
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Are you a veteran who has Medicare and VA care benefits?
Do you understand how to use both to your advantage?
Using your Medicare benefits along with your VA health benefits is
more a matter of individual choice than anything. I can only tell you what I do.
What I do may not be ideal for you so you'll have to put some thought into this.
I like my VA doctor and clinic. It isn't always convenient for me though.
Because of that I sometimes see civilian doctors
using my Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare Part A pays for hospital care,
Medicare Part B pays for doctor and most outpatient services. Part A is
required when you collect your Social Security retirement, Part B is
elective and you'll pay an additional premium. Part D covers pharmacy
prescription medicines and most experts tell us that if
we get VA pharmacy, we do not need Part D.
Medicare hospital or doctor visits will cost you a copay. In broad terms,
Medicare sets a rate that they will pay a doctor or hospital no matter
what they bill in charges. Whatever that rate is you'll owe 20% of it.
For example, I recently had a colonoscopy. My share of my doctor's bill
under Medicare Part B was $44.00. I wouldn't have had to pay that at
VA but my drive would have been 2 1/2 hours each way whereas
keeping it at home was a 10 minute trip. There will be other bills
associated with that (anesthesia, lab, etc.) but I estimate my
entire out of pocket share will be less than $300.00.
No, I don't use supplemental insurance. That stuff is expensive. I expect
that this year (2015) I may spend $1500.00 out of pocket to cover Medicare
copays. That's 1/2 of what a supplemental policy would have
cost and it wouldn't have paid all my expenses.
What happens if you need emergency care at a civilian hospital?
Who do you tell them to bill? What can you do if you're unconscious
or unable to speak?
You can and should plan in advance. Tell your spouse or family member
you want to go to VA first. Be sure your VA emergency room is
capable of handling your emergency before you need it. Some VA
emergency rooms aren't full service. If you go to a civilian emergency
room, stress (or have your family stress) that you must transfer
to VA as soon as possible. If the civilian hospital gets your Medicare number,
they will bill Medicare every time. VA health doesn't act as supplemental
so you'll be stuck with the copay.
If you enter a civilian hospital and you aren't quickly transferred to VA
you or your representative must persistently call the VA facility of choice
to tell them you want to transfer there. DO NOT depend on the civilian
hospital staff to do this for you. You must document when you called the
VA facility and who you spoke with or what voice mail you reached. If you
don't follow these steps you'll soon be billed for your portion of the
Medicare payment and you'll be in a tussle with VA to try and get payment.
Not every veteran is eligible for emergency civilian care. Not every situation will be
deemed as eligible because it's life threatening or a true emergency. If you go to a
civilian ER for a bad flu or a broken toe, VA isn't likely to pick up the tab for you.
The bottom line is to think of your plan before a health emergency arises. Know the
hospitals you want to use and be sure they can provide the services you want.
Future planning and designing a way to use all your benefits for your situation is the key to
success. You can have the best of all worlds, good civilian insurance tied to your VA heath benefits.
Most people would wish they had it so good.
Emergency Care in Non-VA Facilities
In 2001, the U.S. Congress provided VA with authorization (called the Mill Bill) to
pay for emergency care in non-VA facilities for veterans enrolled in the VA
health care system. The benefit will pay for emergency care rendered for
non-service-connected conditions for enrolled veterans who have no other
source of payment for the care. However, VA will only pay to the point of
medical stability. There are very strict guidelines concerning these types of
claims. Veterans and their non-VA providers should be aware that these
claims must be filed with the VA within 90 days from the last day of the emergent care.
How do I qualify?
This benefit is a safety net for enrolled veterans who have no other means of
paying a private facility emergency bill. If another health insurance provider pays
all or part of a bill, VA cannot provide any reimbursement. Veterans who
retired from the U.S. military are covered by TRICARE/CHAMPUS insurance and
cannot file a Mill Bill claim. To qualify, you must meet all of these criteria:
You were provided care in a hospital emergency department or similar
facility providing emergency care.
You are enrolled in the VA Health Care System.
You have been provided care by a VA health care provider within the last 24
months (excludes C & P, Agent Orange, Ionized Radiation and Persian Gulf exams).
You are financially liable to the provider of the emergency treatment
for that treatment.
You have no other form of health care insurance.
You do not have coverage under Medicare, Medicaid, or a state program.
You do not have coverage under any other VA programs.
You have no other contractual or legal recourse against a third party
(such as a Workman’s Comp Claim or a Motor Vehicle Accident) that
will pay all or part of the bill.
Department of Veterans Affairs or other federal facilities were not feasibly
available at time of the emergency.
The care must have been rendered in a medical emergency of such nature
that a prudent layperson would have reasonably expected that delay in seeking
immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to life or health.
Should I cancel my current insurance to meet these requirements?
VA encourages you to keep all current health insurance coverage. If you cancel
your current insurance, your spouse may not retain health insurance coverage
and spouses of veterans generally do not qualify for VA health care.
Cancellation of current insurance coverage could result in you being
disqualified for reinstatement based upon any pre-existing illnesses. If you
are covered by Medicare Part B and you cancel it, it cannot be reinstated until
January of the next year. If you are covered by a program or plan that would pay for the emergency care received, you would not qualify for this benefit.
What is the timeline to file?
Veterans have a responsibility to ensure that the VA Transfer Center is notified
immediately upon any hospital admission. The MEDVAMC Transfer Center
Coordinator can be reached during regular business hours at (813) 903-4221.
If you are calling after hours, dial (813) 972-2000 and ask to speak to the
Medical Administrative Assistant on duty. Claims must be filed with the nearest
VA Medical facility to where the services were rendered within 90 days of the
discharge date of medical service; otherwise, the claim will be denied
because it was not filed in a timely manner.
What type of emergency services will VA cover?
VA will reimburse health care providers for all medical services necessary to
stabilize your condition up to the point you can be transferred to an
approved VA health care facility or other federal facility.
What about pharmacy items?
The VA’s authority for reimbursement of pharmacy items to veterans from
non-VA providers follows a strict set of guidelines. The veteran must be
actively enrolled in a Fee Basis Program; the pharmacy item must be considered
as urgent or emergent by the initiating physician; the pharmacy item cannot
be reimbursed past a 10 day supply; and the prescription and receipts must be
turned in to the Fee Basis Unit. The reimbursement is based upon the U.S.
Government’s Red Book cost and no taxes can be reimbursed.
Do I need to get approval before going to the emergency room?
No. If you are an eligible veteran, and a VA facility is not feasibly available
when you believe your health or life is in immediate danger, report directly
to the closest emergency room. If hospitalization is required, you, your
representative or the treating facility should contact the nearest VA within
24 hours to arrange a transfer to VA care by calling
the VA Transfer Center at (813) 972-7614.
How long will I stay in the private hospital?
If you are hospitalized, and the VA is notified, the VA will be in regular contact
with your physician at the private hospital. As soon as your condition stabilizes,
the VA will assist the private facility with arrangements to
transport you to a VA, or VA-designated facility.
What if I do not wish to leave the private facility?
VA will pay for your emergency care services only until your condition is
stabilized. If you stay beyond that point, you will assume full responsibility
for the payment of costs associated with treatment.
Will I have to pay for my ambulance bill to the non-VA facility?
If the VA accepts responsibility for the emergency room visit and/or admission,
the ambulance will be paid from the scene of the incident to the
first non-VA facility providing necessary care.
Will I have to pay for an ambulance from the non-VA facility to a VA facility?
Yes. The VA is only authorized to pay for an ambulance to go from the scene
of the incident to the first non-VA facility providing necessary care. Ambulance bills are considered unauthorized claims, and must be submitted to the VA in a timely manner.
What if the private hospital bills me for services?
If you are billed for emergency care services, contact the Veterans’ Hospital Fee
Unit and a representative will assist you in resolving the issue. Under the law,
payment from the VA is considered as “payment in full” for the dates authorized.
What documents are required by VA to process claims for
emergency care in non-VA facilities?
The following page contains a list of documents necessary for the VA to process
claims for emergency care in non-VA facilities. Remember, there is a 90-day
deadline to file a Mill Bill Claim once you have been discharged from the
Emergency Room/Hospital. Please submit all of the documents as a packet to
the Veterans’ Hospital Fee Basis Office.
What documents to I need to provide to VA to pay for my
emergency care in a non-VA facility?
Here is a checklist of all the documents you will need to provide to the VA
in order for your claim to be processed: Check List
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JANESVILLE, WI 53547- 4444
Toll Free Fax: 844-531-7818
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About Your Health
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Disability Benefits
Apply for disability compensation and other benefits for conditions related to your military service.
Health Care Benefits
Apply for VA health care, find out how to access services, and manage your health and benefits online.
Education Benefits
Apply for and manage benefits that help you pay for college and training programs.
Housing Assistance
Find out if you qualify for a VA home loan. If you have a service-connected disability, find out if you qualify for a housing grant to help you live more independently.
Careers and Employment
Find out if you're eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) services, get support for your Veteran-owned small business, and access other resources to help build your career skills and find a job.
Life Insurance
Explore VA life insurance options, manage your policy online, and file claims.
Pension Benefits
Apply for monthly pension benefits for wartime Veterans and survivors.
Burials and Memorials
Get help planning a burial or memorial service, and find out how to get survivor and dependent benefits.
Family and Caregiver Benefits
As the family member of a Servicemember or Veteran, find out if you qualify for benefits like health care, VA-backed home loans, life insurance, or money to help pay for college. If you’re caring for a Veteran with disabilities, find out if you can get added support.
per·ma·nence
The state or quality of lasting or remaining unchanged indefinitely.
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VBA Derivative Benefits Eligibility
There are additional benefits that you may be eligible for that are based on a favorable decision for a VA benefit and/or based on special circumstances.
These are known as derivatives.
What's your VA up to today?
If you aren't reading the Federal register, you may miss it.
VA Home Loans and Housing-Related Assistance
VA Assistance to Veterans Who Are Severely Disabled
Veterans with certain service-connected disabilities may apply for grants to build an adapted home or install ramps, widen doors, or make other modifications to live more independently.