Veteran Health Insurance

When using Veteran Insurance (VA) health care, VA may bill a Veteran's health insurance carrier for medical services, supplies, and prescriptions for care related to a nonservice-connected condition. Funds VA receives from a Veteran's health insurance go directly back to the VA medical center to provide medical treatment, prescriptions, supplies and equipment.

For billing purposes, a Veteran's health insurance may be provided by an employer or other non-federal source, and includes health insurance that a Veteran receives through their spouse. There are several benefits for a Veteran having health insurance: It may reduce or eliminate VA copayments; does not affect eligibility for VA care; allows VA to directly bill the insurance company for nonservice-connected care; and charges associated with VA health care may apply toward an annual deductible, depending on the insurance plan. 

Some Veterans use a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) for medical care and services for nonservice-connected conditions. HDHPs are often linked to a Health Savings Account or Health Reimbursement Arrangement. A Health Savings Account is a tax-advantaged personal savings account for individuals enrolled in a HDHP that can be used to pay for qualified health care expenses. Funds from an HSA can be used to pay a Veteran’s VA copayment. A Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) is a tax-advantaged financial account that is funded solely by an employer to pay for an employee’s qualified medical expenses.

Funds from an HRA can be used to pay a Veteran’s VA copayment. Veterans are required to provide their health insurance information to VA so that VA can bill their health insurance carrier for nonservice-connected care. Veterans should always bring their insurance cards to VA appointments. VA can bill a Veteran’s health insurance when the nonservice-connected care they receive is provided directly through VA or through a VA-authorized community provider. VA can send the bill directly to the health insurance carrier to be reimbursed electronically or be reimbursed by a linked Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). 

In addition, please note the following: Veterans aren’t responsible for any unpaid balance that their insurance does not pay; VA cannot bill Medicaid or Medicare, but can bill Medicare supplemental health insurance for covered services related to nonservice-connected care; and VA health care is not considered a health insurance plan. For care related to a sensitive diagnosis, VA is not required to obtain permission from the Veteran to bill their health insurance carrier. A sensitive diagnosis may include drug or alcohol use, alcoholism, HIV/HIV testing, and sickle cell anemia. 

Veterans may submit a request to VA to not disclose their health information when billing their health insurance for care related to a sensitive diagnosis. However, by law, VA may deny the request. To submit a request, Veterans should contact the privacy officer at their local VA medical facility.