PRESCRIPTION COPAY INCREASES FOR SOME VETERANS

• Due to COVID-19 the VA has been unable to mail bills to Veterans for copays, and a consolidated bill will be mailed in the future. However, Veterans can still check balances and make payments using one of three options: 1. Call 1-888-827-4817.
• Please use this form to pay your medical care and prescription copayments billed on your monthly statement (form 0246) for services provided by a VA medical center or clinic. Notice: The VA account number and payment amount are required to complete this form.

Medication copayments are charged for all over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin, cough syrup, and vitamins that are i dispensed from a VA pharmacy. You are not charged a medication copayment for medical supplies (syringes, alcohol wipes, etc.) or for medications administered during treatment. You'll pay a copay for: Medications your health care provider prescribes to treat non-service-connected conditions, and Over-the-counter medications (like aspirin, cough syrup, or vitamins) that you get from a VA pharmacy. You may want to consider buying your over-the-counter medications on your own. Medications based on:. Receiving a Purple Heart Medal (may take copay test to determine medication copay status), or. Former Prisoner of War Status (both are free), or. Receiving a Medal of Honor (may take a copay test to determine medication copay status), or. Compensable VA.

June 23, 2010

(BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA) – Some veterans will see an increase in their prescription copayments from $8 for each 30-day supply to $9. This change will take effect July 1, 2010.

“Because of the harsh economic reality facing many Veterans, we delayed the change,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki, who postponed the increase originally scheduled for January 1, 2010. “Even with this increase, VA medication copays are lower than much of the private sector.”

Not all Veterans will see the copay increase: only Veterans in Priority Group 7 and 8. Veterans in Priority Groups 2 through 6 will see no increase in their non-service connected prescription copayments. All Veterans will continue to have their out-of-pocket expenses for VA outpatient medications capped at $960 per calendar year.

Does The Va Charge A Copay

Va Medication Copay Tiers

“Many Veterans won’t see any difference in their copays,” said VA Butler Healthcare’s Revenue Coordinator Michele Miller. “Veterans in Priority Group 7 and 8 should notify the preregistration department if or when they have a drastic change in income. There is a possibility the change would put them into a different priority group and exempt them from the new $9 copay charge.”

Veterans who have an injury or illness connected with their military service resulting in a disability rated 50 percent or greater – who are known as Priority Group 1 Veterans -- are exempt from the copay. Veterans may view the updated Copay Rates Fact Sheet on the VA Butler Healthcare website: http://www.butler.va.gov.

VA Butler Healthcare, located on a scenic wooded 88-acre campus in the heart of Butler County, Pennsylvania, is the provider of choice for over 17,000 Veterans throughout Western Pennsylvania and parts of Ohio. VA Butler, a member of VA Healthcare-VISN 4, provides primary care, specialty care, mental health and social support services to Veterans at its main campus and serves a rural Veteran population through community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in Armstrong County, southern Butler County (Cranberry Township), Clarion County, Lawrence County, and Mercer County. VA Butler Healthcare has over 6OO employees and volunteers dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of America’s heroes, now and in the future. For more information about VA Butler Healthcare, and links to special programs and initiatives, interested persons can log ontohttp://www.butler.va.gov”.Media queries and requests should be directed to David Virag at (724)-285-2576 orDavid.Virag@va.gov.

Va Medication Copay List