WASHINGTON D.C. — Starting today Veterans across the country will be able to access free medical care at any V.A. or private healthcare facility if they are in a suicidal crisis. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit, said a spokesperson.
The V.A. says the new policy allows for up to 30 days of inpatient or crisis care and 90 days of follow-up outpatient services.
Veterans will not have to pay copays, and any care provided at a private facility for those in a crisis will be paid for by the government.
Secretary of the VA Denis McDonough released a statement saying, “Veterans in suicidal crisis can now receive the free, world-class emergency health care they deserve — no matter where they need it when they need it, or whether they’re enrolled in VA care. He added, “This expansion of care will save Veterans’ lives, and there’s nothing more important than that.”
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an average of 20 veterans die by suicide each day. This is 1.5 times higher than the suicide rate among non-veteran adults.
Eligible individuals, regardless of VA enrollment status, are:
- Veterans who were discharged or released from active duty after more than 24 months of active service under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Former members of the armed forces, including reserve service members, who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation either directly or by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Former members of the armed forces who were the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment while serving in the armed forces.
