Copayment exemption for American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans

VA published a final rule in the Federal Register on April 4, 2023, that exempts eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans from copayments for health care and all urgent care visits received on or after January 5, 2022.

Copays for domiciliary care, institutional respite care, institutional geriatric evaluation and nursing home care are still required.  Veterans seeking copayment exemption must submit copies of VA Form 10-334 and official tribal documentation to begin receiving this new benefit.

This policy implements Section 3002 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020.

This copayment exemption

• Connects Veterans to the soonest and best care.
• Removes a cost barrier, making VA health care more accessible.
• Encourages American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans to seek medical care through VA, and allows VA to better ensure these Veterans receive the health care and services they have earned through their service to our nation.

Full details of the new policy are explained here, but it includes:

• Copayment exemption eligibility
• How to claim the copayment exemption
• Address to mail copies of documentation

The new policy

• Retroactively reimburses eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans from copayments for health care and all urgent care visits received on or after January 5, 2022.
• Eliminates copayment collection of certain copayments for health care and all urgent care visits for eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans. Note: Copayments for domiciliary care, institutional respite care, institutional geriatric evaluation and nursing home care are still required.

Veterans can immediately begin submitting their documentation using the process outlined here. Additionally, Veterans’ May 2023 copayment statements will include an insert with submission instructions and eligibility information.

We are engaging all our VA partners, including tribal, federal, state and local communities, to ensure that all American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans are aware of this new policy and have the information they need to participate.

For more information, visit 2023 VA Health Care Copay Rates | Veterans Affairs or call 1-800-MyVA411 (1-800-698-2411). To enroll in VA care, visit VA.gov.