Submitted by Andy Gero

Veterans Administration Emergency care of nonservice-connected conditions

Title 38 United States Code (U.S.C) § 1725 (also known as ‘Mill Bill’) allows the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make payment or reimbursement to a claimant for emergency treatment provided to a veteran for nonservice-connected conditions in certain circumstances.  In such case, the VA must be the payer of last resort.

There is a timely filing limit for unauthorized inpatient or outpatient medical care claims. Claims must be submitted within 90 days from the date of care.

A local VA health care facility may request medical documentation to support adjudication of a claim submitted from a community health care provider. In addition, standard billing forms such as the UB-04 CMS-1450 or CMS-1500 are required. The VA requires claimants to fill out and submit VA Form 10-583.

For more information go to: www.va.gov/purchasedcare/.

Andy Gero is a life member of the American Legion Post 288 and the VFW Post 1614.  He may be reached through the CV Weekly, (818) 248-2740, or write Crescenta Valley Weekly at 3800
La Crescenta Ave., Suite 101,
La Crescenta, CA 91214.

  Andy GERO