Page 17 - Desert Oracle June 2021

VETERAN COPAYMENT CANCELLATIONS/REFUNDS AS PER AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN

• On March 12, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) was passed by Congress and
signed into law by President Biden. While there are multiple sections of the law that
involve VA, there is one critical section that affects the Office of Community Care Revenue
Operations – that is the provision that all copayments for medical care and prescriptions
provided April 6, 2020 through September 30, 2021 will be canceled, along with any fees
or interest. Veterans who have paid on their balances are now owed a refund.
• Some key facts:
o Copayments for medical care and pharmacy services incurred April 6, 2020
through today will be canceled.
o No copayments for medical care and pharmacy services will be assessed from
today through September 30, 2021.
o VA is working quickly to proceed with the cancellations and refund those Veterans
who have been making payments on their accounts.
o Statements will continue to be mailed for information only, and collection on
copayments for health care and pharmacy services will resume on October 1,
2021.
o There will be no change in the quality and availability of VA health care during this
time. Veterans can schedule appointments and communicate with their providers in
the same manner they are accustomed to.
o Veterans who have copayments owed for care received prior to April 6, 2020 can
certainly apply for debt relief. More information can be found
here: https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/revenue_ops/Financial_Hardship.asp
o VA works with all Veterans who apply for debt relief to determine the best possible
solution.

• Resources for Veterans are available on the community care website
at Copayments, Billing and Payment, and Financial Hardship. For information on charges
owed for care and prescriptions prior to April 6, 2020, debt relief options and/or account
number information, Veterans can call the VHA Health Resource Center at 1-866-400-
1238.

VA CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION

• Veterans and the community can get up-to-date information on VA’s COVID-19 vaccine
webpage where vaccination data and cumulative COVID 19 cases are published. Veterans
can also sign up to receive regular updates on the vaccine. The VA’s COVID-19 Stay
Informed page can be found HERE

PROGRAM OF COMPREHENSIVE ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVER EXPANSION