COVID-19 Medical Debt Relief - Community Care
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COVID-19 Medical Debt Relief

October 2021: Copayment Collections Resume

Below are answers to questions regarding cancellation of copayments for medical care and pharmacy services incurred April 6, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2021 and the resuming of copayment collections on Oct. 1, 2021.

I just received my October copayment statement. Do I owe the amount listed?

Yes. VA has resumed collection of copayments for medical care and pharmacy services incurred on October 1, 2021 and after. October 2021 statements might also contain copayment charges for services incurred prior to April 6, 2020.

What happened to the copayments for care I received during the last several months?

Due to Public Law 117-2, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, Section 8007 signed March 11, 2021, all Veteran copayments for medical care and pharmacy services provided April 6, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2021 were canceled. Payments you made for care during that time have been refunded.

I’m worried that VA might have a wrong address and I won’t receive an accurate statement.
What can I do?

Please update your contact information by calling the Health Resource Center at 866-400-1238, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m–8 p.m. ET.

I’ve been paying on my balance over the last few months and I understand VA was issuing refunds. Will I now get a refund? When will I receive that refund?

Due to the passage of the ARP, Veterans who paid copayments for medical care and pharmacy services provided April 6, 2020 to Sept. 30, 2021 received a refund from VA. Refund payments were issued either in electronic funds transfer or check form, depending on what is in the Veteran’s profile.

Can I view my patient statement online?

Please visit the Veteran Patient Statement page on the AccessVA website to view patient statements online.

AccessVA–Veteran Patient Statement

I had collection actions taken prior to when copayment charges stopped in April 2020. What will happen?

All collection actions were suspended since April 6, 2020 and have resumed as of Oct. 1, 2021. Due to Public Law 104-113, Debt Collection Improvement Act, copayments for medical care and pharmacy services delinquent 90 days or more are subject to a reduction of VA benefits to satisfy the balance. Copayments delinquent 120 days or more are subject to referral to the U.S. Department of the Treasury for collection action.

How do I make a payment on this statement I just received?

There are several ways to make a payment on your statement:

Department of Veterans Affairs
P.O. Box 3978
Portland OR 97208-3978
(Please include the payment coupon)

Pay.gov website
(Patient account number is needed.)

Electronic Payments: 888-827-4817
Monday–Friday, 8 am–8 p.m. ET
(Patient account number is needed)

To locate an account number or check your patient statement, visit the Veteran Patient Statement page on the AccessVA website or call the VA Health Resource Center.

AccessVA–Veteran Patient Statement

VA Health Resource Center: 866-400-1238
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET.

I am having trouble paying my balance due to financial hardships. Does VA still offer debt relief?

Yes. VA has expansive debt relief options available to Veterans including suspension of debt, monthly repayment plan, waiver, write-off, or compromise and financial hardship determination. Please review the Financial Hardship page or call the VA Health Resource Center, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET.

Financial Hardship

VA Health Resource Center: 866-400-1238

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