When Veterans are being treated for a non-service connected condition, VA asks for their private health insurance information. Do you know why? To answer this question, VA has released this short video entitled “Private Health Insurance: How it Helps You.”

The 90-second video explains why VA asks for Veterans’ private health insurance information and how it helps support and improves VA health care. VA is required by law to supplement funds from Congress by billing Veterans’ outside health insurance for non-service connected care. The money collected by VA stays within VA and can be used to purchase supplies and equipment to improve care for Veterans.

When Veterans show their insurance cards at a VA medical facility, they are helping to improve VA health care for all Veterans. Watch the video to learn more.


Author: Laurie C. Zephyrin MD, MPH, MBA Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Community Care

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29 Comments

  1. Doyle Robertson December 4, 2017 at 18:57

    100% Service connected. VA bills MEDICARE and TRI-CARE FOR LIFE for my care.

  2. Gary Poling November 26, 2017 at 11:55

    Why not take the money from the fund that the senators & congressmen use and pay the VA? Put the politicians on the same health care system that they give to us vets, I know it will improve within a year…Gp

  3. Lucio D. Vasquez November 21, 2017 at 20:16

    I am 80 % disability rating with other issues too. The VA doctor sent me to have me diagnose for my sleeping issues and was OK by Tricare. My wife carries me on her retirement insurance and now tricare will not pay for my rental of a CPAP machine. The va doctor sent me to these sleep apnea appointments and now l am stuck paying this bill. What can a Vet do when they are trying to cure you and the VA won’t help with the bill, NamVet 68-69.

  4. Arthur C. Bonevich November 20, 2017 at 20:28

    John Berry.
    You have a computer right…They e-mail my appointments. I also receive a reminder card in the mail.
    Depending on the department, they sometimes call…Hampton VA Hospital, VA. / Richmond VA Hospital.

  5. S. R. November 19, 2017 at 18:13

    Wow,Guess I’m not alone. 100% SC W/degenerated, compressed, fractured disks, nerve damage. Been on opiates for 35 years but now discontined due to new guidelines so I don’t overdose. VA says it’s all mental but MRIs don’t lie. VA Puget Sound Medical Cntrs. have major problems & not willing to help, no one cares, they’re waiting for us to die from neglect.

  6. John Berry November 19, 2017 at 12:54

    I am a Vietnam Vet with 70% disability rating. I feel sorry for the veteran that is experiencing such pain. Has anyone noticed the small/short appointment card that the VA has resorted to? It has replaced the 8×10 paper appointment notice. That could become a problem, here’s why. I have a vertical mailbox, when the short card is deposited therein you cannot see it unless you feel down in the mailbox. I am afraid that this could cause a veteran to miss an appointment, especially a elder veteran.

  7. Mark k November 19, 2017 at 08:05

    Funny thing is I ONLY see the va for service related items and I just got a statement showing all my charges while I had my medical coverage(6months) had over 3k charged by the va to them for my service connected treatment. So no I absolutely do no provide my medical card anymore.

  8. PAUL November 19, 2017 at 07:55

    Also the majority of your staff at the VA needs to be fired. They have no love for veterans, it’s all about money for themselves and their paychecks every two weeks. They are federal workers and and could not give a crap. I know, I used to be a federal Civil Service employee.Most of them have no compassion or empathy for vets they are treating. You’re nothing but a number. “What is your last four of your SSN”.” Go sit down, will call you when we’re ready.”!!! Look at the Phoenix VA and look at that scandal.It totally speaks for itself!!!

  9. PAUL November 19, 2017 at 07:43

    The Veterans Administration is a serious joke to all combat vets.Really!!You want to see my private insurance card to help you Devils!!!! Never!! You guys are worse than the Internal Revenue Service.

  10. Gary Davis November 18, 2017 at 19:55

    About the a article on being billed to private insurance. True or not true. Does a 100% service connected vet have his wife’s insurance billed $2500.00 plus required blood test by the VA? I was under the impression 100% service connection, all was taken care of by the VA. Even if it’s not mentioned in my disability. Example : I was in the hospital from parachute bad landing. In traction for 3 days, no work for 6 months. Of course the VA says not disabling as it was a temporary incident. I’m now in my 70’s had a brace put in and in extreme pain most of the time. Am I required to see a private Dr or does the VA take care of this?

  11. Lester A Rogers II November 18, 2017 at 09:31

    VA will not help with pain anymore like posted already. It is sad as they think pain goes away since the DEA got involved with medical issues. Also the contractor that VA is using to bill private insurance is cheating them. They are always billing my private insurance for my service connected disability

  12. Gary R November 18, 2017 at 00:09

    I have always been treated well at the VA clinic in Yakima, Washington, and the facility in Walla Walla, Washington. It may take time to get through all the bells and whistles to g e t what is needed but the end result is great. Have gotten glasses and a new CPAP machine.
    Good luck with your treatment.

  13. william ZINN November 17, 2017 at 18:34

    I just gave up since the Va was all talk an Medication was to expensive for me Had to see A Dr outside to get my Medical Help done right. Don’t think they cared very much.

  14. Melissa Goins November 17, 2017 at 17:56

    So please explain to me why I, with an 80% rating, am asked for my private insurance card and have at least one bill for $90 for a mammogram at the local hospital that VA sent me to… VA plays too many games.

  15. David Slagle November 17, 2017 at 11:09

    the only problem I have with the VA is about a lift for my car to transport the motorized power chair that they provided for me to be able to get around. This Power Chair they provided for me basically is of no use to me if I don’t have a way to get the chair to where we are going such as the VA medical center or to a mall or store so I would be able to shop.

  16. Raymond A Ramirez November 17, 2017 at 10:26

    I’m a 100% Disabled Marine. Everyone at the VAMC Long Beach are alway very nice and courteous to all veterans. This attitude is genuine throughout the Medical Center. Problems incur when staff are rotated, changed or replaced by others. They do not always perform their duties without errors or unknowingly forget key functions that inpact Veterans negatively. Example Travel Request are missed and Veteran ends up missing oppointments. A suggestion was made to a Patient Advocate to have SOP’s (standard operation procedures) in a binder or taped on the work desk so employees transferred in can quickly know what steps to take.

  17. Frederick C. Anderson. 047-44-1843 November 17, 2017 at 06:00

    I’m ready to give up. Va. In Florence SC will not help with my pain. Frederick C Anderson Vietnam Veteran. Someone please help me. Bad debilitating pain every night, please help me.

    • Liz November 19, 2017 at 01:52

      VA will not help you. They would prefer you die. One less patient they have to deal with. DO NOT GIVE UP. Never surrender, never give up, Thank you for your Service, you are not alone. Do not let the VA win. Go to website: VAisLying-there are many angry Vets, bond with them and have 1 voice against this madness. They treat us like “Drug Seekers”-not like the Veterans who did the job when others would not and this is the thanks we get for giving them our young strong bodies, to be suffering now from injuries giving all these Losers the freedoms to come to this Country, get a job where they know they will not be fired and rules are made up as they see fit. They do not follow Center for Disease Control pain management, they made up their own rules-to JUST SAY NO! Connect with Wounded Warriors program, they will also help you.

  18. Frederick C. Anderson. 047-44-1843 November 17, 2017 at 05:57

    Fred Anderson 047-44-1843 Vietnam Veteran Florence Va doctors will not help with my pain. Haven’t slept for weeks. Agonizing pain every night. Someone please help me. Dorn VA, Columbia SC. Won’t help me. I’m begging.

    • Joe B November 17, 2017 at 10:08

      Go to non-va primary care doc or orthopedic doctor.
      Pay out of pocket if u have to.
      Get a referral to a pain management doctor.
      Go to pain management doctor and get help.

      VA WILL NOT HELP YOU EVER !!!!!!

    • le kenobbie November 17, 2017 at 15:56

      CHOICE, before it closes, will OK acupuncture. After a 3 week stay in the hospital for MRSA in my spine, I was in constant pain. I went to my VA provider and got an RX from her. In about 3 weeks with a 3-2-1 session a week and now once every 3-4 weeks, I am upright and the pain is manageable. It will NOT take as long now as it did to get CHOICE moving.
      Be persistent an never take NO for an answer. They are here for US and they need to be reminded of that often.
      I remain positive of the VA in Indianapolis, IN as being the GOLD standard of care!

  19. Frederick C. Anderson. 047-44-1843 November 17, 2017 at 05:52

    Florence Va doctors are not concerned about the pain I have now. They treat me with disregard. Florence, SC. I’m crying in pain every night. They are sending nerve drug, which doesn’t work. I need help, someone please help.

    • Joe B November 17, 2017 at 10:05

      Go to non-va primary care doc or orthopedic doctor.
      Pay out of pocket if u have to.
      Get a referral to a pain management doctor.
      Go to pain management doctor and get help.

      VA WILL NOT HELP YOU EVER !!!!!!

    • Rick Baker November 18, 2017 at 12:19

      Posting this asw ‘follow3-up’ of my (above comment:) [copy & paste]
      (IOhttps://news.medicalmarijuanainc.com/cbd-hemp-oil-available-south-carolina-regardless-prescription/ )

  20. Frederick C. Anderson. 047-44-1843 November 17, 2017 at 05:48

    I’m writing here,because I hope someone will see this.Patient Advocates are not helping. I’m in severe pain every night with nerve pain and herniated discs in my back. I can’t sleep because of pain.Dorn VA. Will not help.

    • Paul x Army November 17, 2017 at 11:30

      Hey Frederick,
      Sounds like you have some major pain!
      Have you contacted the following: ?
      1. director of the hospital
      2. VA headquarters
      3. are you enrolled in VA Health already, if so you can become verified in the finance office at the hospital and VA should
      provide treatment ,if it is a non service related issue it may cost a small amount but not nearly as much as outside care cost.
      If you are not getting help contact the VA secretary Dr. David Shulkin’s office and document all of your request.
      I had problems in the washington DC hospital when I first started going and each time I reached out to the right people
      even suggesting the director get out and finally he was dismissed(fired) this summer! YEA!
      Good luck
      Paul

    • le kenobbie November 17, 2017 at 15:51

      I do not know where dorn VA is. I do know if you are anywhere near the VA in Indianapolis, In, see them. The place is a god standard of care!

    • Rich Evans November 18, 2017 at 05:27

      Call 1800-273 8255 Press 1

    • Nancy O'Brien November 27, 2017 at 23:15

      Google EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and try it! It can’t hurt and has helped many people in pain. There is such a a thing as body memory and EFT is one way to help release past trauma.

      Good luck to you! Never give up!

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