For the next three years, U.S. veterans will not be responsible for copay costs for their first three outpatient appointments related to mental health and substance abuse disorders, according to a recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Starting from June 27, 2023, through December 29, 2027, these copays will be fully covered by the VA, reducing out-of-pocket expenses and improving access to behavioral health care for veterans.
To be eligible for this benefit, veterans must receive treatment from a licensed mental health professional either within the VA system or through a network of affiliated local healthcare providers. The VA will also reimburse veterans for any qualifying copays paid after June 27, 2023.
In a press release, the VA highlighted the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to providing veterans with timely, world-class mental health care. Since April 2024, the VA has achieved a 7 percent reduction in average wait times for mental health services, with veteran care continuing to expand. A recent VA survey showed that 91.8 percent of veterans now trust VA outpatient care, marking an all-time high.
VA Secretary Denis McDonough emphasized the importance of this copayment exemption, stating, “We want every Veteran, regardless of their financial status, to have access to the mental health care they deserve—and that’s what this copayment exemption is all about. We are constantly working to expand access to mental health care, and we won’t rest until every Veteran has access to care whenever and wherever they need it.”
This copay exemption was enacted under the Cleland-Dole Act and is part of a broader effort to enhance mental health services for veterans. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has hired over 9,000 mental health professionals since October 2021, with 2,000 of these hires taking place after October 2023. The VHA’s staff retention rates are also at a historic high, with a 63.7 percent retention rate in the fiscal year 2022.
Additionally, a policy introduced last year offers free suicide crisis care for eligible veterans at any emergency health center, giving nine million former service members access to critical emergency services. So far, 60,000 individuals have benefited from millions of dollars in care provided through this program.
