Skip to Content

What does COMPACT Act, mean for Veterans?

Helping Hand

We want all Veterans and former service members to know they can get free, emergency suicide care when they need it, no matter where they are.

On Jan. 17, 2023, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced any Veteran in suicidal crisis can go to any emergency room to get medical care. Below we break down what this means for you and your loved ones should you need emergent suicidal care.

What it is

  • Any Veteran – whether enrolled in VA or not – can go to a VA or non-VA emergency room for emergent suicidal care.
  • We strongly recommend Veterans in suicidal crisis call 911 or visit their nearest emergency room for expedited care. Veterans may go to a VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System community outpatient clinic however, our clinics are only open Monday – Friday during normal business hours.
  • VA will provide the treatment or cover the costs for treatment including transportation, inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days, and outpatient care for up to 90 days

 

Who is eligible

Regardless of VA enrollment status, the following are eligible to have their medical expenses covered by VA:

  • Those who were discharged or released from active duty after more than 24 months of active service under conditions other than dishonorable.
  • Former members of the armed forces, including reserve service members, who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation either directly or by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
  • Former members of the armed forces who were the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment while serving in the armed forces.

Veterans who were dishonorably discharged may still seek emergent suicidal care at a VA or non-VA emergency room, however, VA will not cover the expenses.

How it works

Veterans or their loved ones should do the following in the event of an emergent suicidal crisis:

  1. Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room
  2. Notify staff that you’re a Veteran
  3. Staff will take you back and provide treatment

Emergencies are never planned so it’s important you and your loved ones know where the closest emergency room is located.

Billing

If a Veteran receives a bill for emergency suicide care related care at a VA medical facility, they should contact their local VA patient advocate and ask for a clinical review with an appropriate provider. Veterans can also contact the number on their bill to initiate this process.

Veterans who received COMPACT-related care at a community emergency department should submit a signed, written request for reimbursement to their local VA medical facility community care office along with an after-visit summary/medical documentation and a billing statement from the rendering provider showing diagnosis code information and an itemized list of charges.

For more information, visit Emergency Medical Care - Community Care (va.gov).

Common Questions

Does a Veteran need to be enrolled in the VA system to receive COMPACT-related emergency care when in an acute suicidal crisis?

  • No, any Veteran who was discharged from the armed forces with more than 24 months of active duty;
  • any former active or reserve service member who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable;
  • or any former member of the armed forces who was the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment while serving in the armed forces is eligible

What information do Veterans need to provide to emergency department staff to let them know they are eligible for VA to pay for or provide their care?

  • If a Veteran is enrolled in VA health care, they should let the emergency department staff know they receive their care from VA.
  • If a Veteran is not enrolled, they should tell the emergency department staff that they are not enrolled in VA healthcare, thus then allows the VA to still provide care to the Veteran regardless of his /her enrollment status.  But, then allows for proper eligibility for types of care to be provided for the Veteran according the COMPACT Act guidelines after being seen in a VA emergency department.

Does a community emergency department need an agreement with VA to be paid for COMPACT-related care?

No. COMPACT ACT does not require an existing contract or agreement between VA and a community emergency department for VA to pay for authorized treatment and follow-on care. Veterans are encouraged to immediately seek care at the nearest emergency department during a medical or mental health emergency. During a suicidal crisis, time taken to find an “approved” community emergency department could endanger the Veteran.