Are you a Veteran wondering if you will receive a refund for copayments made for medical care and pharmacy services you’ve paid since April 6, 2020?

The American Rescue Plan (ARP), passed in March 2021, included a provision that canceled VA copayments for medical care and pharmacy services received between April 6, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021. Refunds will be sent to Veterans who paid copayments for health care and pharmacy services received during this period.

On May 12, VA began mailing letters to each Veteran with information on refunds, timing of when informational patient statements will resume, and when VA will begin normal collection of copayments.

“We want to make sure Veterans who made payments on their account are aware their refund is on its way,” said Susan Reed, executive director of Revenue Operations, VHA’s Office of Community Care. “This will provide clarity on what you can expect, and a few other reminders in terms of when you will begin to see monthly statements.”

Veterans will not be charged copayments for medical care and pharmacy services received between April 6, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2021.

VA will resume normal billing and collections Oct. 1, 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is my copayment balance being canceled? With the passage of the ARP in March 2021, all Veteran copayments for medical care and pharmacy services provided April 6, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2021, are canceled.
  • I’ve been paying on my balance over the last few months. Will I 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 the present will receive a refund from VA. Payments received after April 30, 2021, will be refunded on a case-by-case basis. Initial refunds will be paid by July 2021. In May, Veterans who are due a refund will receive a letter from VA with the amount of their initial refund. Refunds will be paid in electronic funds transfer or by check, depending on information in the Veteran’s profile.
  • I think I’m due a refund. Should I call VA to confirm? We kindly ask that you not call to inquire about the quantity or timing of your refund at this time. VA staff are working hard to mail notification letters and to ensure refunds are paid. Initial refunds are expected to be paid by July 2021.
  • Can I view an old patient statement online? Visit AccessVA at https://eauth.va.gov/accessva/ to view patient statements online.
  • I had collection actions taken prior to when statements stopped in April 2020. Will those go away? All collection actions have been suspended since April 6, 2020, and will resume Oct. 1, 2021. You will be notified before collection actions resume.
  • Can I make payments to the balance I incurred prior to April 6, 2020? Please wait until July 2021 to make payments on balances, so we can ensure copayment cancellations and refunds have been accurately processed. At that time, if you have a copayment balance for care received prior to April 6, 2020, you can voluntarily make payments.
  • How do I voluntarily submit payment? Submit your payment by mail. Please include the payment coupon from your patient statement.
    • Department of Veterans Affairs
      P.O. Box 3978
      Portland OR 97208-3978
    • Visit pay.gov. You will need your patient account number.
    • Call 888-827-4817. You will need your patient account number.
    • To locate your account number, check your patient statement, call 866-400-1238, or visit https://eauth.va.gov/accessva/?cspSelectFor=vbs.
  • I had a balance on my account prior to April 6, 2020. What if I can’t pay that balance due to financial matters? VA has expansive debt relief options available:
    • Suspension of debt: You are not required to pay on your debt until October 2021.
    • Monthly repayment plan: You can request an agreement to make smaller payments each month to pay your debt over time.
    • Waiver, write-off, or compromise: If you cannot make monthly payments, you can request a waiver, write-off, or compromise.
    • Financial hardship determination: If you are struggling because of life circumstances, you can request financial hardship assistance to manage VA debt or an exemption from future copayments.

Contact the VA Health Resource Center to discuss your options for medical copayment debt. Call 866-400-1238, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET., Monday through Friday, or visit https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/revenue_ops/Financial_Hardship.asp.

Support and Resources

Topics in this story

American Rescue PlanARP

Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

26 Comments

  1. Brenda Martin June 8, 2021 at 13:21

    I did not receive a letter but I received a $220 check today. No explanation. My stimulus money is deposited directly to my checking account so I’m guessing this is the copayment refund. So I will wait for the letter to catch up

    • Brenda Martin June 12, 2021 at 13:08

      Got the letter today letting me know that the $220 was from the VA for copay reimbursement.

  2. Philip Cooke June 4, 2021 at 13:46

    I would just like to get my fed tax return. I filed 2/26 and am being told it’s “in process”.

  3. Mike Miller June 3, 2021 at 09:32

    These “vets” further make me ashamed of americans

    • Robert Edwards June 3, 2021 at 11:04

      What vets are you talking about?

  4. MICHAEL Fowble May 30, 2021 at 00:22

    I have yet checked my mailbox today, however I have yet to receive a letter advising me of my refund . Hopefully the VA will keep their promises to me and other veterans who have served their country and risked their lives for their country .

  5. Thomas Lyle Stephens May 29, 2021 at 14:28

    I received no notification in the mail or otherwise. Typical

  6. Steven Ray Eagan May 29, 2021 at 06:17

    What about spouses of veterans on champva? My wife’s co-pay is three thousand dollars a year. Which I pay.

  7. John Pyles May 29, 2021 at 01:10

    I was told they will start billing in sept2021 VA can never get it right you just don’t know what to believe from them anyway, why do we the veterans have to make co-pays any way,

  8. Ronnie Sames May 28, 2021 at 23:13

    If my social security insurance has paid my co payment do I get a refund.

  9. Mary Carolyn Jones May 28, 2021 at 23:10

    I’m texting to let you know I filled a VA medical Pharmacy Claim several months ago and have never received anything on this matter either. Thank you please help

  10. Mary Carolyn Jones May 28, 2021 at 23:03

    I’m texting to let you know I’ve received my Social Security Stimulus but not my VA Stimulus .There was a card come in mail but I cut it up not knowing it was my VA Stimulus card.please help .All my money wisely goes to my Checking Account but the card came through mail ??I guess I would need a Replacement card ?? Thank you

  11. Marty H May 28, 2021 at 22:05

    Sweet Johnny!!!! I’m a gettin back a couple stacks!!! $$$$x2. That’ll pay for a set of Forged Pistons, rods and forged crankshaft for the mud truck. Hot Dang, we be turnin 10000 RPM’s all day long.

  12. Steven L. Holbrook May 28, 2021 at 21:05

    Yes I smoked cigs never heavy but we know many things can cause cancer of the lung but v a decided to use the cigs as the cause without knowing for sure .but I took Zantact full strength for 20 years and now they are suing for lung cancer .my point after I lost my father to him drinking that water in 1960- non hodgkinsnon lymphoma .i drink it for a year and developed lung cancer .heres my point .you anticipate more problems down the stretch for agent orange and admit it should have been done a long time ago.i have been sick in some way even while working all them years and never knew why.lung cancer has an easy out being one chemical needed before it can be paid for from that water with all the fuels and oils and chemicals I drinker and now I feel like another agent orange episode for a long time even tho you name the same chemicals in burning and breathing the smoke in wartime .how ironic.ty.Steven L. Holbrook

  13. Jose A Torres May 28, 2021 at 18:20

    V.A.are a bunch of liars we give our lives lose everything we have and get nothing but denial and lies. That’s another reason why we wanna blow everything up cause they don’t take care of us.

  14. Jean Laurie Pardo May 28, 2021 at 16:26

    Is it just for 100 percent disabled Veterans or does it include spouses?

  15. Sandra Kay. Broome May 28, 2021 at 15:35

    I haven’t received a letter yet. I did make payments during this time. What happens if I don’t receive a letter or refund. I would appreciate a response

    • Robert Pierce June 2, 2021 at 19:18

      Here’s what we know; the VA took care of my Dad who passed at 96 and his care was Outstanding as has been my personal care and my wife. We are proud to be veterans and thankful for the care we receive .

  16. Bruce Kent Amos May 28, 2021 at 15:26

    I received a statement around November 2020 that my balance up to then was 514.00, I paid it so I’d be caught up til then. I’m expecting to at least get that back.

  17. Michael J Lamkin May 28, 2021 at 10:10

    I never received a letter regarding a co pay refund I have coming because I sent a payment related to services received after April 20, 2020. If I don’t hear anything within the next couple weeks all hell is going to break loose. Also, if they can send out a letter why does it take another 2 months to send the refund check?

    • toby gross May 29, 2021 at 10:03

      The letters started being mailed may 12th and will continue to mail letters to the approximately 700 thousand vets who are entitled to a refund. This will take up to 2 months to receive your letter. The refunds will be direct deposited 1st and those without direct deposit will get a check mailed. The letter you receive gives you ample to to verify all information is correct including refund amount and banking information.
      As far as all hell breaking loose, that won’t happen. At worse you’ll call and complain to some young lady who has no control over the VA.

      • Audrey Downs June 1, 2021 at 13:08

        Thank you for the information.
        In March I was told that it would be May to get the refunds out as “still under covid restrictions” , with direct deposits going first then checks.

        You would think that they would be able to have software filter those veterans who’ve paid and due refund from those who don’t have copays. BUT…..

        Understand that majority of our government agencies are still using Microsoft XP software, with Microsoft making patches/upgrade to software as required.

  18. Robyn Ryan May 28, 2021 at 00:38

    Co-payments to the VA?
    We are a depraved society.
    I am 100% dv, so it doesn’t affect me.
    But it is shameful. They trusted us. We screwed them

  19. brian harrington May 27, 2021 at 22:00

    They say VA health care is free they lied

  20. James A Carder Sr May 27, 2021 at 18:25

    Has the Veteran’s Hospital Billing been told this, I’m still making co-payments on my VA MEDICATIONS every month even after I enformed and showed the statement made from
    your first announcement last year. The accounting clerk told me they haven’t been enformed and I still have my MEDICATION COPAY. I paid and left. Also I’m suppose to be under the Contaminated Drinking Water at Camp Lejeune Law of 2012. I’m Stage IV CKD and I pay for my treatments and MEDICATIONS to treat my illnesses.

    • Daniel Castillo June 2, 2021 at 22:22

      Everybody Lies, James.

Comments are closed.

More Stories