Community Care
COVID-19 Medical Debt Relief: American Rescue Plan
Copayments for medical care and pharmacy services resumed on October 1, 2021.
Financial relief is available to Veterans.
Due to the passage of the American Rescue Plan in March 2021, copayments for medical care and pharmacy services provided by VA from April 6, 2020, through September 30, 2021, were canceled. If a payment was made to an account during this period, VA has issued a refund.
For information on available debt relief options, please visit the Community Care Financial Hardship page or call the Health Resource Center.
VA Health Resource Center: 866-400-1238
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET
For information on how to better understand your patient statement, please review Understanding your VA Patient Statement, VA Form 10-0246.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. VA resumed collection of copayments for medical care and pharmacy services on Oct. 1, 2021 for care received prior to April 6, 2020 and after Oct. 1, 2021. For information on how to read and understand your patient statement, please review Understanding your VA Patient Statement, VA Form 10-0246.
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 were refunded.
Yes. The canceled copayments appear on your patient statement and the amount canceled will show under “Payments and Credits.” The Payments and Credits block will also show amounts you paid toward your balance.
| Account Summary | Previous Balance |
Payments and Credits |
New Charges | Payment Due Date |
Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $29.00- | $255.00- | $40.00 | $30.00 CR |
For information on how to read and understand your patient statement, please review Understanding your VA Patient Statement, VA Form 10-0246
What can I do?
Please call the VA Health Resource Center and update your contact information at 866-400-1238, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m–8 p.m. ET.
Please visit the Veteran Patient Statement page on the AccessVA website to view patient statements online.
All collection actions resumed on 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.
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. For more information, please review the Community Care Financial Hardship page or call the VA Health Resource Center.
VA Health Resource Center: 866-400-1238
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET
It’s important to remember 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. VA recommends that you apply for debt relief or call the VA Health Resource Center as quickly as you can.
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.
VA Health Resource Center: 866-400-1238
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. ET
Yes. There is guidance in Understanding your VA Patient Statement, VA Form 10-0246.
