Veterans get justice from Court for emergency room claims denied by VA

September 16, 2019 |

If you’re a veteran, you know how complicated getting medical care can be. In situations where you need emergency assistance at a facility not run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, that can lead to even more frustration, and often a denial of reimbursement.

No more, says a recent federal court ruling.

What happened?

The VA could be on the hook for as much as $6.5 billion in payments for hundreds of thousands of veterans who have filed or will file claims between 2016 and 2025. This is thanks to the U.S. Court of Appeals deciding that an internal VA regulation banning these kinds of rejections was “unacceptable,” according to NBC News.

Why was it so bad?

“Not only was the VA not reimbursing veterans’ claims,” reported Fox News, “but the agency was actively telling veterans they weren’t entitled to payments for non-VA emergency care when, in fact, they are.” This action is at odds with previous federal rulings that said veterans were, in fact, entitled to submit and be reimbursed for these claims.

Military Times writes that In August, the VA Inspector General discovered over $50 million that should have been refunded under existing rules.

How can I get compensation?

If you submitted a claim for emergency care from a non-VA facility since 2016, or have pending claims with the VA, you may be entitled to compensation. Belluck & Fox can help you get what is rightfully yours.

Reach out for a free consultation to discuss your situation. The specific process for claim appeals is still under development by the VA, but there is still time to get started. If your case meets the criteria, we’ll work with you to ensure your proper benefits are provided.