More Details On Those Proposed Changes to VA Health Care
I wrote last week that the Obama administration was considering changes to how Veterans Affairs bills for veterans' health care. At the time, the details of the proposed changes weren't clear. As it's been explained to me, this is how it would work: right now, for veterans who have health insurance in addition to the TRICARE insurance they pay for, the VA bills the other insurance before they bill TRICARE. The idea would be to switch wounded veterans to the same payment order. I'm still not sure why the Obama administration is considering this. But that appears to be what the change is.
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The reason for the change is to allow the other insurance to pay before the taxpayer is billed. This would save money for the Government, which is a valid reason.
In many cases the other insurer is a profit making private insurer, who is currently benefiting from the situation (but likely not reducing or sharing benefits with the veteran).
US Posted Wednesday, March 18, 2009 11:25 AMIt was a requiremnt before China would loan us anymore money, plus we have to take in 5 million Chinese refugees to run our businesses
dan ketter Posted Wednesday, March 18, 2009 11:59 AMI'm not sure your understanding of how VA bills private insurance is correct.
By law, the VA has been required to bill private insurance for medical care they perform on veterans that is not related to their service-connected disabilities.
In other words, if a veteran has service-connected disability for a bad right knee and the VA determines the joint needs replacing, the VA (US government) pays for the procedure and any rehab required as a result of the injury being service-connected.
If a veteran has strep throat or the flu and gets his treatment at a VA hospital/clinic, that is not service-connected and the VA is supposed to bill the veteran's private insurance to recoup those treatment costs.
What the President's VA budget proposed is to have the VA bill a veteran's private insurance for any medical care received even if that medical care is the result of a service-connected disability.
You can read news stories that quote Veterans Service Organizations to see how they and Congress feel about the proposal. No need for me to re-hash it. Needless to say, they're vehemently opposed and list many reasons so.
TRICARE is the DOD's medical program, not the VA's. While retiree's may have TRICARE, not many have both private, third-party health insurance and TRICARE. I am retired military and do not have TRICARE, opting instead for coverage under FEHBP. No need to pay for insurance twice.
However, addressing your understanding, it is DOD policy to bill private insurance (if the receiver has it) before billing TRICARE. I do not believe it's VA policy to do likewise.
ihate2fly Posted Wednesday, March 18, 2009 8:38 PMThis is an unconscionable and immoral approach to raise money by the Obama administration at the expense of wounded American Servicemen. Our country has a moral obligation to provide medical care to members of the military and veterans, especially those wounded in action. This proposal illustrates the lack of morals, leadership, and real world experience in the Obama administration. Unbelievable and UNSAT!
Mike R. Posted Thursday, March 19, 2009 9:57 AMI a veteran has Medicare and Tricare along with VA who pays first, second and third? Is there a conflict between each party? As a Veteran it becomes increasingly more difficult obtaining health care in a timely manor. I along with other would hope to see a change to easier access of health care now that Obama is in office.
Bob Dickens Posted Tuesday, May 12, 2009 3:55 PMi am aveteran and i have been a patient at the va. i will be 65 indec2009. do i need to enroll in medicare, or let the va take care of my medical issues
jack j. c eranowski Posted Monday, July 20, 2009 6:06 PM