The Department of Veterans Affairs says it has exempted or reimbursed more than 143,000 copayments totaling approximately $2.5 million for more than 3,800 eligible American Indian and Alaska Native veterans.
Eligible American Indian and Alaska Native veterans are no longer required to make copayments for VA health care, urgent care, or prescriptions as the result of a policy implemented by the department in 2023.
“To live their best lives, veterans need access to affordable health care,” VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Shereef Elnahal said in a statement. “This copayment exemption honors our treaties with sovereign nations and the distinguished service of American Indian and Alaska Native veterans.”
The policy was made possible due to provisions passed in the Isakson and Roe Veterans Health Care Benefits Improvement Act of 2020.
Veterans who are eligible for the copay exemption include any veteran who meets the definitions of "Indian" or "urban Indian" under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. That includes veterans who are members of an American Indian Tribe, certain veterans who are descendants of Tribe members, Alaska Native veterans, and more.
Under the policy, VA also reimburses for copayments paid on or after Jan. 5, 2022.
VA is continuing to receive, review, and process documentation for the copayment exemption. To apply for the copayment exemption, Veterans should mail 1) a completed VA Tribal Documentation Form and 2) a copy of official tribal documentation to VHA Tribal Documentation at P.O. Box 5100, Janesville, WI 53547.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.