Page 5 - Desert Oracle September 2021

not permitted to have coverage under a health plan, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Worker’s
Compensation. In other words, if you have other health insurance and you are there for a non-
service connected condition, your other health insurance is expected to pay. The VA will not
pay the bill under those circustances.

Please note that payments or reimbursement for emergency hospital care will not be authorized
for periods beyond the date which medical emergency ended. Based on sound medical
judgement, a VA physician will determine when the veteran can be transferred to a VA medical
center or Federal facility for continuation of treatment. To limit your out-of-pocket expenses if
you are admitted to a non-VA hospital, you, or a family member or the non-VA hospital staff
should contact the VA Transfer Coordinator within 72 hours so you may be transferred to a
VA facility when you are medically stable.

It is recommended to add your local VAMC phone number to your emergency phone
numbers listed in your phone or wherever you keep your list of emergency phone numbers.

Veterans not having prior authorization for non-VA hospital care due to emergencies may be
entitled to hospital care at VA expense if the following is met:

• the urgency of the veteran’s medical condition requires that he/she seek immediate
medical care
• the distance of travel makes it advisable to use public/private facilities
• the treatment required makes it necessary to use a public facilities

Claims for non-service connected conditions should be filed within 90 days following
discharge from the hospital. Claims for service connected conditions must be filed within
2 years from the date the care was provided. To file either type of claim, use VA form 10-
583. The form is easily accessed by going to Google and typing in “VA Form 10-583”.

If your claim for unauthorized medical expenses is denied by VA you have the right to appeal
the decision.

Please submit you claim through the PVA Service Office; we shall make sure you have all
required documents and hand-carry your package to Fee Basis.

Michael Wilson, Senior NSO