Veterans no longer need to pay copays for their first three outpatient mental health care and substance use disorder visits each calendar year through 2027.
This benefit expands Veterans’ access to mental health services and lowers their out-of-pocket costs. This copayment exemption benefits dates back to June 27, 2023, and—by law—will end Dec. 29, 2027. To be eligible for this exemption, the outpatient visit must be with a qualified mental health professional at VA or provided through VA’s network of community care providers.
VA will automatically refund Veterans for any copays paid to VA on or after June 27, 2023, for these appointments, with no further action required by those Veterans.
No paperwork or forms are needed; Veterans simply attend their appointments. We’ll also review copays made to VA on or after June 27, 2023, for eligibility and issue eligible refunds by direct deposit or check.
Veterans will still be responsible for medication and other care copays, and the benefit will end on Dec. 29, 2027.
Learn MORE.
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning against the use of smartwatches and rings that claim to measure blood glucose levels without piercing the skin. These are different from continuous glucose monitoring devices.
These devices have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety and effectiveness. For persons with diabetes, accuracy matters. Inaccurate blood glucose can lead to the wrong dose of insulin or other medications.
Recommendations for Consumers, Patients, and Caregivers
- Do not buy or use smartwatches or smart rings that claim to measure blood glucose levels. These devices may be sold through online marketplaces or directly from the seller.
- Be aware that the safety and effectiveness of these devices have not been reviewed by FDA, and the use of these devices could result in inaccurate measurements of blood glucose levels.
- If your medical care depends on accurate blood glucose measurements, talk to your health care provider about an appropriate FDA-authorized device for your needs.
Review the FDA's Safety Communication.
Annie is a VA text messaging service that empowers you to take an active role in your health care by sending various automated self-care reminders.
Messages you receive from Annie can include reminders to take your medication, tips for reducing stress, instructions to prepare for your health care appointments, and more. Annie can also send general broadcast messages from your VA medical center or on topics of interest to you.
Information that you send to Annie is available to your clinical team. You can also see graphs of your measurements and all your messages in the online version of Annie for Veterans.
Learn more:
Take Control of Your Health: Annie App for Veterans (youtube.com)
Annie for Veterans | VA Mobile
App Store | VA Mobile
 VA travel pay reimbursement pays eligible Veterans and caregivers back for mileage and other travel expenses to and from approved health care appointments.
What to do before you file your first claim
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