{ "id": "R42747", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "number": "R42747", "active": true, "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "versions": [ { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 618638, "date": "2020-03-04", "retrieved": "2020-03-06T17:02:15.010613", "title": "Health Care for Veterans: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions", "summary": "The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), operates one of the nation\u2019s largest integrated health care delivery systems. The VHA estimates that in FY2020 it would provide care to about 6.33 million unique veteran patients. In the same year, VHA estimates that it would employ a staff of about 347,000 full-time equivalent employees at approximately, 1,456 VA sites of care, with an appropriation of approximately $80.6 billion. VA health care is a discretionary program; therefore, the provision of health care is dependent on available appropriations. \nEligibility and Enrollment\nNot every veteran is automatically entitled to medical care from the VA. Veterans must meet basic eligibility requirements for enrollment. \nEligibility for VA health care is based primarily on veteran status resulting from military service. Generally, veterans must also meet minimum service requirements; however, exceptions are made for veterans discharged due to service-connected disabilities, members of the Reserve and National Guard (under certain circumstances), and those eligible under special treatment authorities, such as Camp Lejeune veterans. \nIn the enrollment process, the VA categorizes veterans into eight priority categories, based on factors such as service-connected disabilities, income, and combat veteran status (among others). The VA may limit enrollment based on the availability of funds\u2014an authority provided by Congress. Some veterans without service-connected disabilities and whose attributable income exceeds established means tests cannot enroll in the VA health care system. Dependents, caregivers, and survivors of certain veterans are eligible to enroll in the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), which reimburses non-VA providers or facilities for their medical care. \nMedical Benefits\nAll enrolled veterans are offered a standard medical benefits package, which includes (but is not limited to) inpatient and outpatient medical services, pharmaceuticals, durable medical equipment, and prosthetic devices. \nFor female veterans, the VA provides gender-specific care, such as gynecological care, breast and reproductive oncology, infertility treatment, maternity care, and care for conditions related to military sexual trauma. Under current regulations, the VA is not authorized to provide, or cover the costs of, in vitro fertilization, abortion counseling, abortions, or medication to induce abortions. However, as authorized by the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 (P.L. 115-244), the VA may provide fertility counseling and treatment using assisted reproductive technology or adoption reimbursement to certain veterans. \nGenerally, the VA provides audiology and eye care services (including preventive services and routine vision testing) for all enrolled veterans, but eyeglasses and hearing aids are provided only to veterans meeting certain criteria. Eligibility for VA dental care is limited and differs significantly from eligibility for medical care. For veterans with service-connected disabilities who meet certain criteria, the VA provides short- and long-term nursing care, respite, and end-of-life care. \nUnder certain circumstances, the VA authorizes care to eligible veterans to receive care in the community. Under provisions of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-182, as amended), the VA launched the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) on June 6, 2019. That same day, veterans became eligible to access urgent, nonemergency care in the community within VA\u2019s contracted network of providers. \nCosts to Veterans and Health Insurance Coverage\nIn general, veterans do not pay for care related to service-connected conditions. Moreover, veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50% or greater are exempt from any copayments. Although enrolled veterans do not pay premiums for VA care, some veterans are required to pay copayments for medical services and outpatient medications related to the treatment of nonservice-connected conditions. Copayment amounts vary by priority category and type of service. The VA has the authority to bill most health care insurers for nonservice-connected care; any insurer\u2019s payment received by the VA is used to offset dollar for dollar\u2019\u2019 a veteran\u2019s VA copayment responsibility. The VA is statutorily prohibited from receiving Medicare payments (with a narrow exception).", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R42747", "sha1": "a44ebcdd496cd1c8835d7677aed077c77c88fd47", "filename": "files/20200304_R42747_a44ebcdd496cd1c8835d7677aed077c77c88fd47.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42747_files&id=/0.png": "files/20200304_R42747_images_56032ec8e33ff78efdd6963f65f6dccbb421eca0.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42747_files&id=/1.png": "files/20200304_R42747_images_7b705a32d49030d09a0bc1f0e433409d9b62a9b0.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R42747", "sha1": "c5614cdbebcb14c6ad29a82f5bd392f812ac3997", "filename": "files/20200304_R42747_c5614cdbebcb14c6ad29a82f5bd392f812ac3997.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4849, "name": "Veterans & Military Health Care" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4872, "name": "Military Personnel, Compensation, & Health Care" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 606161, "date": "2019-10-10", "retrieved": "2019-10-11T22:17:32.277668", "title": "Health Care for Veterans: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions", "summary": "The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), operates one of the nation\u2019s largest integrated health care delivery systems. The VHA estimates that, in FY2020, it would provide care to about 6.29 million unique veteran patients, employing a staff of about 343,000 full-time equivalent employees, with an appropriation request of approximately $80.93 billion. VA health care is a discretionary program; therefore, the provision of health care is dependent on available appropriations. \nEligibility and Enrollment\nNot every veteran is automatically entitled to medical care from the VA. Veterans must meet basic eligibility requirements for enrollment. \nEligibility for VA health care is based primarily on veteran status resulting from military service. Generally, veterans must also meet minimum service requirements; however, exceptions are made for veterans discharged due to service-connected disabilities, members of the Reserve and National Guard (under certain circumstances), and those eligible under special treatment authorities, such as Camp Lejeune veterans. \nIn the enrollment process, the VA categorizes veterans into eight priority categories, based on factors such as service-connected disabilities, income, and combat veteran status (among others). The VA may limit enrollment based on the availability of funds\u2014an authority provided by Congress. Some veterans without service-connected disabilities and whose attributable income exceeds established means tests cannot enroll in the VA health care system. Dependents, caregivers, and survivors of certain veterans are eligible for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), which reimburses non-VA providers or facilities for their medical care. \nMedical Benefits\nAll enrolled veterans are offered a standard medical benefits package, which includes (but is not limited to) inpatient and outpatient medical services, pharmaceuticals, durable medical equipment, and prosthetic devices. \nFor female veterans, the VA provides gender-specific care, such as gynecological care, breast and reproductive oncology, infertility treatment, maternity care, and care for conditions related to military sexual trauma. Under current regulations, the VA is not authorized to provide, or cover the costs of, in vitro fertilization, abortion counseling, abortions, or medication to induce abortions. However, as authorized by the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 (P.L. 115-244), the VA may provide fertility counseling and treatment using assisted reproductive technology or adoption reimbursement to certain veterans. \nGenerally, the VA provides audiology and eye care services (including preventive services and routine vision testing) for all enrolled veterans, but eyeglasses and hearing aids are provided only to veterans meeting certain criteria. Eligibility for VA dental care is limited and differs significantly from eligibility for medical care. For veterans with service-connected disabilities who meet certain criteria, the VA provides short- and long-term nursing care, respite, and end-of-life care. \nUnder certain circumstances, the VA authorizes care to eligible veterans to receive care in the community. Under provisions of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-182, as amended), on June 6, 2019, the VA launched the new Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP). In addition, starting June 6, 2019, veterans can access urgent, nonemergency care in the community within VA\u2019s contracted network of providers. \nCosts to Veterans and Health Insurance Coverage\nIn general, veterans do not pay for care related to service-connected conditions. Moreover, veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50% or greater are exempt from any copayments. Although enrolled veterans do not pay premiums for VA care, some veterans are required to pay copayments for medical services and outpatient medications related to the treatment of nonservice-connected conditions. Copayment amounts vary by priority category and type of service. The VA has the authority to bill most health care insurers for nonservice-connected care; any insurer\u2019s payment received by the VA is used to offset dollar for dollar\u2019\u2019 a veteran\u2019s VA copayment responsibility. The VA is statutorily prohibited from receiving Medicare payments (with a narrow exception).", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R42747", "sha1": "80e7ab22de0e2173f4d042ceb589d90a883e81d5", "filename": "files/20191010_R42747_80e7ab22de0e2173f4d042ceb589d90a883e81d5.html", "images": { "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42747_files&id=/0.png": "files/20191010_R42747_images_0beda8da50a015b7eda3d45dfa700dbeaacfe643.png", "/products/Getimages/?directory=R/html/R42747_files&id=/1.png": "files/20191010_R42747_images_7b705a32d49030d09a0bc1f0e433409d9b62a9b0.png" } }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R42747", "sha1": "cc5b73f42f253a2a8fdd70ae3ce46e4c74b2cc81", "filename": "files/20191010_R42747_cc5b73f42f253a2a8fdd70ae3ce46e4c74b2cc81.pdf", "images": {} } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4849, "name": "Veterans & Military Health Care" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4872, "name": "Military Personnel, Compensation, & Health Care" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 451947, "date": "2016-04-21", "retrieved": "2016-11-28T22:19:49.271776", "title": "Health Care for Veterans: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions", "summary": "The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), operates the nation\u2019s largest integrated health care delivery system, provides care to approximately 6.7 million unique veteran patients, and employs more than 311,000 full-time equivalent employees. \nEligibility and Enrollment. Contrary to claims concerning promises of \u201cfree health care for life,\u201d not every veteran is automatically entitled to medical care from the VA. Eligibility for VA health care is based primarily on veteran status resulting from military service. Generally, veterans must also meet minimum service requirements; however, exceptions are made for veterans discharged due to service-connected disabilities, members of the Reserve and National Guard (under certain circumstances), and returning combat veterans. The VA categorizes veterans into eight Priority Groups, based on factors such as service-connected disabilities and income (among others). Dependents, caregivers, and survivors of certain veterans are eligible for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), which reimburses non-VA providers or facilities for their medical care. \nMedical Benefits. All enrolled veterans are offered a standard medical benefits package, which includes (but is not limited to) inpatient and outpatient medical services, pharmaceuticals, durable medical equipment, and prosthetic devices. \nFor female veterans, the VA provides gender-specific care, such as gynecological care, breast and reproductive oncology, infertility treatment, maternity care, and care for conditions related to military sexual trauma. Under current regulations, the VA is not authorized to provide, or cover the costs of, in vitro fertilization, abortion counseling, abortions, or medication to induce abortions. \nGenerally the VA provides audiology and eye care services (including preventive services and routine vision testing) for all enrolled veterans, but eyeglasses and hearing aids are provided only to veterans meeting certain criteria. Eligibility for VA dental care is limited and differs significantly from eligibility for medical care. For veterans with service-connected disabilities who meet certain criteria, the VA provides short- and long-term nursing care, respite, and end-of-life care. \nUnder certain circumstances, the VA may reimburse non-VA providers for health care services rendered to VA-enrolled veterans. Once such program is the Veterans Choice Program (VCP). Such community care may include outpatient care, inpatient care, emergency care, medical transportation, and dental services. \nCosts to Veterans and Insurance Collections. While enrolled veterans do not pay premiums for VA care, some veterans are required to pay copayments for medical services and outpatient medications related to the treatment of nonservice-connected conditions. Copayment amounts vary by Priority Group and type of service (e.g., inpatient versus outpatient). The VA has the authority to bill most health care insurers for nonservice-connected care; any insurer\u2019s payment received by the VA is used to offset dollar for dollar\u2019\u2019 a veteran\u2019s VA copayment responsibility. The VA is statutorily prohibited from receiving Medicare payments (with a narrow exception).", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R42747", "sha1": "9a11bbdc596edb5ac61aaf7817c38b95fb186cbc", "filename": "files/20160421_R42747_9a11bbdc596edb5ac61aaf7817c38b95fb186cbc.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R42747", "sha1": "f937bc392bfd5bf068a2f81b249ac095061fe317", "filename": "files/20160421_R42747_f937bc392bfd5bf068a2f81b249ac095061fe317.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4849, "name": "Veterans & Military Health Care" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4872, "name": "Military Personnel, Compensation, & Health Care" } ] }, { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 440926, "date": "2015-04-30", "retrieved": "2016-04-06T19:08:40.084792", "title": "Health Care for Veterans: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions", "summary": "The Veterans Health Administration (VHA), within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), operates the nation\u2019s largest integrated health care delivery system, provides care to approximately 5.75 million unique veteran patients, and employs more than 270,000 full-time equivalent employees. \nEligibility and Enrollment. Contrary to claims concerning promises of \u201cfree health care for life,\u201d not every veteran is automatically entitled to medical care from the VA. Eligibility for VA health care is based primarily on veteran status resulting from military service. Generally, veterans must also meet minimum service requirements; however, exceptions are made for veterans discharged due to service-connected disabilities, members of the Reserve and National Guard (under certain circumstances), and returning combat veterans. The VA categorizes veterans into eight Priority Groups, based on factors such as service-connected disabilities and income (among others). Dependents, caregivers, and survivors of certain veterans are eligible for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), which reimburses non-VA providers or facilities for their medical care. \nMedical Benefits. All enrolled veterans are offered a standard medical benefits package, which includes (but is not limited to) inpatient and outpatient medical services, pharmaceuticals, durable medical equipment, and prosthetic devices. \nFor female veterans, the VA provides gender-specific care, such as gynecological care, breast and reproductive oncology, infertility treatment, maternity care, and care for conditions related to military sexual trauma. Under current regulations, the VA is not authorized to provide, or cover the costs of, in vitro fertilization, abortion counseling, abortions, or medication to induce abortions. \nGenerally the VA provides audiology and eye care services (including preventive services and routine vision testing) for all enrolled veterans, but eyeglasses and hearing aids are provided only to veterans meeting certain criteria. Eligibility for VA dental care is limited and differs significantly from eligibility for medical care. For veterans with service-connected disabilities who meet certain criteria, the VA provides short- and long-term nursing care, respite, and end-of-life care. \nUnder certain circumstances, the VA may reimburse non-VA providers for health care services rendered to VA-enrolled veterans on a fee-for-service basis. Such Fee Basis Care may include outpatient care, inpatient care, emergency care, medical transportation, and dental services. \nCosts to Veterans and Insurance Collections. While enrolled veterans do not pay premiums for VA care, some veterans are required to pay copayments for medical services and outpatient medications related to the treatment of nonservice-connected conditions. Copayment amounts vary by Priority Group and type of service (e.g., inpatient versus outpatient). The VA has the authority to bill most health care insurers for nonservice-connected care; any insurer\u2019s payment received by the VA is used to offset dollar for dollar\u2019\u2019 a veteran\u2019s VA copayment responsibility. The VA is statutorily prohibited from receiving Medicare payments (with a narrow exception).", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": true, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R42747", "sha1": "9137070c466e54faea0b893de4537fe46174132a", "filename": "files/20150430_R42747_9137070c466e54faea0b893de4537fe46174132a.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R42747", "sha1": "b08d7c8cec60ced952ba698d911f0bdce1e098f2", "filename": "files/20150430_R42747_b08d7c8cec60ced952ba698d911f0bdce1e098f2.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [ { "source": "IBCList", "id": 2179, "name": "Benefits for Veterans" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 229, "name": "Military Personnel and Compensation" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4531, "name": "Defense Authorization" }, { "source": "IBCList", "id": 4595, "name": "Health Care for Military Personnel and Veterans" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc282277/", "id": "R42747_2014Feb25", "date": "2014-02-25", "retrieved": "2014-04-02T19:38:14", "title": "Health Care for Veterans: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions", "summary": "This report provides responses to frequently asked questions about health care provided to veterans through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). It is intended to serve as a quick reference to provide easy access to information. Where applicable, it provides the legislative background pertaining to the question.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20140225_R42747_cf3323600fc2fc67aaca6c98de89eb9e5624d67e.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20140225_R42747_cf3323600fc2fc67aaca6c98de89eb9e5624d67e.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Veterans", "name": "Veterans" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Veterans' benefits", "name": "Veterans' benefits" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Veterans' medical care", "name": "Veterans' medical care" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc808024/", "id": "R42747_2012Sep20", "date": "2012-09-20", "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26", "title": "Health Care for Veterans: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions", "summary": null, "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20120920_R42747_ee2f0c28d8e8b9f4dea7f187b89eb2a12cb2d32b.pdf" } ], "topics": [] } ], "topics": [ "Appropriations", "Health Policy", "National Defense", "Veterans Policy" ] }