VA COMPACT ACT - FREE EMERGENCY SUICIDE CARE FOR VETS


By bblouin
Va Compact Act Veteran sitting in a chair with hands crossed.

Mental health resources continue to be an ongoing effort by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Suicide continues to affect the military community and Veterans. The COMPACT Act (Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment) aims to help those at immediate risk seek help without worrying about the costs. Under the VA COMPACT Act, Veterans don’t pay for the cost of emergency care dealing with suicidal crisis, regardless of where they receive it. However, not many Vets fully understand this developing resource.

What Is the VA COMPACT Act?

The VA COMPACT Act focuses on averting Veteran suicide by enhancing access to Emergent Suicide Care during acute crises, whether at VA or non-VA facilities. It encompasses a range of provisions related to VA transition assistance, suicide care, mental health education and treatment, healthcare, and women's Veteran care. Furthermore, the VA COMPACT Act ensures that Veterans with acute suicidal crises can seek immediate emergency healthcare at any facility, without the requirement for a referral while covering the expenses directly. Here is how under the COMPACT Act, the VA foots the bill for Vets:

  • Regardless of the healthcare center, emergency suicide care is covered. This includes transportation costs.
  • The VA pays for up to 30 days when eligible Veterans receive inpatient care.
  • The VA pays for up to 90 days when eligible Veterans receive outpatient care.
  • After the emergency care period, the VA provides referrals for continued care.
  • The VA also determines the eligibility of the Veteran for other services and benefits.
  • If a Veteran receives a bill for emergency care, the VA will expedite the process and review to address the costs.

Acceptable Care Covered Under the VA COMPACT Act

It’s important to define the types of care covered under the COMPACT Act VA benefits. Here’s how they breakdown: Emergent Suicide Care is care that helps stabilize individuals undergoing a crisis as recommended by the Veteran Crisis Line or when a Vet presents in an acute suicidal crisis at a VA or non-VA facility. Acute Suicidal Crisis is covered and occurs when Vets are at imminent risk of self-harm. This decision must be by a trained crisis responder or healthcare provider. Crisis Stabilization Care aims to promptly ensure safety and alleviate distress, reducing the need for urgent care or exacerbation of distress during transfer from a care facility.

Fact Sheet & Resources

If you or a Veteran you know is in crisis, the confidential Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 by dialing 988 and pressing option No. 1, even if you aren’t enrolled. TTY: 800-799-4889. You can also text 838255 or chat confidentially at https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/

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VA COMPACT Act Eligibility

To be VA COMPACT Act eligible, you must meet certain requirements, including being a Veteran. The COMPACT Act is not for active duty service members. While you don’t have to be enrolled in VA healthcare for these benefits, you must meet one or more of the following criteria to receive emergency care:

  • A healthcare provider or a trained crisis responder must determine that you are at risk of immediate self-harm.
  • You are a Veteran who served at least 24 months of active duty and was discharged with anything other than a dishonorable status.
  • You qualify if you are a Veteran who served over 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation. This applies to Veterans, including those in the Reserves, who served directly or by operating unmanned aerial vehicles from another location and were not dishonorably discharged.
  • You are a Veteran, who while serving, was a victim of sexual harassment, sexual physical assault, or sexual battery.

National Guardsmen are only eligible if they are eligible Veterans (120 active days). In order to receive VA COMPACT Act eligibility, the facility you receive your healthcare from must be able to provide care in an emergency. This means the staff and equipment can handle emergency care.For example, your benefits apply in hospitals and free-standing emergency departments; however, the VA COMPACT Act won’t cover urgent care facilities. The VA provides a helpful guide for choosing between emergency and urgent careto avoid mishaps.

VA Emergency Care Reporting

For the VA to cover your emergency suicide care, the organization must be told about it within 72 hours once the emergency begins. Your healthcare provider can conduct VA emergency care reporting online, or call 844-724-7842 (TTY: 711) The preferred method of VA emergency care reporting is from your healthcare provider; however, you or someone acting on your behalf can also reach out. Additionally, it’s necessary to contact your local VA medical center (VAMC). This is how transfers and follow-up care coordination occur when necessary. You can find local VAMCsonline. The VA COMPACT Act is an important resource to share with the Vets in your life through “buddy checks,” general engagement, online platforms, and inside the healthcare facilities helping our nation’s heroes. Suggested reads:

Sources:

  1. H.R.8247 - Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020, Congress. Accessed April 2024. https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/8247
  2. COMPACT Act - Community Partner Resource Hub, VA. Accessed April 2024. https://www.va.gov/fargo-health-care/programs/compact-act-community-partner-resourc e-hub/
  3. COMPACT Act expands free emergency suicide care for Veterans, VA. Accessed April 2024. https://www.va.gov/poplar-bluff-health-care/news-releases/compact-act-expands-free-emergency-suicide-care-for-veterans/
  4. Getting emergency care at non-VA facilities, VA. Accessed April 2024. https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-emergency-care-at-non-va-facilities

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