The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced that veterans will no longer be required to pay copays for their first three outpatient mental health care and substance use visits until 2027. This copayment exemption, which began on June 27, 2023, is set to end on December 29, 2027, as mandated by the Cleland-Dole Act of 2022. This benefit aims to enhance veterans’ access to mental health services and reduce their out-of-pocket expenses.
To be eligible for the copayment exemption, veterans must have their outpatient visit with a qualified mental health professional at the VA or through the VA’s network of community care providers. Any copays paid to the VA for these appointments since June 27, 2023, will be automatically refunded to eligible veterans. No action is required on their part.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough emphasized the importance of ensuring that every veteran has access to the mental health care they need, regardless of their financial status. The VA is committed to expanding access to mental health care until every veteran receives the care they require. In addition to the copayment exemption, the VA introduced a new policy in 2023 that allows eligible veterans and certain former servicemembers in acute suicidal crisis to seek emergency health care at any VA or non-VA emergency facility at no cost. This policy has benefited over 60,000 veterans and former servicemembers, providing them with lifesaving care. Approximately nine million veterans have had access to emergent suicide care at no cost, as eligible veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system or visit a VA facility to utilize this benefit.
For more information on mental health services provided by the VA, visit the VA’s mental health website.
