WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports that 49,714 veterans and former service members have availed themselves of the VA’s new policy in its first year. The policy allows eligible individuals in acute suicidal crisis to seek no-cost emergency health care at any VA or non-VA facility, leading to substantial savings of over $64 million in health care costs.
This policy was enacted under the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act of 2020. It guarantees no-cost, world-class care to veterans in times of crisis, including emergency room care, inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days, outpatient care for up to 90 days, and transportation costs.
The policy has also expanded access to no-cost emergent suicide care for up to nine million veterans. Notably, eligible veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system or visit a department facility to use this benefit.
Veteran suicide prevention is a top clinical priority for the VA and a key aspect of President Biden’s Unity Agenda. Since 2021, the VA has actively worked to expand support for veterans in crisis. This includes launching the 988 crisis line to link veterans with qualified responders more rapidly, partnering with community-based suicide prevention organizations, expanding firearm suicide prevention efforts, and promoting a national Veteran suicide prevention awareness campaign.
Under this policy, any veteran, whether enrolled in the VA or not, can go to a VA or non-VA emergency room for no-cost emergent suicidal care. The benefit also extends to certain individuals who do not meet the requirements to be considered a veteran, including those released from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable. Service members, reservists, national guard members, and veterans who experienced military sexual trauma are also covered.
Eligible individuals who are experiencing an emergency suicidal crisis should go to the nearest ER as soon as possible, with transportation costs covered by the VA. The ER staff or someone acting on the individual’s behalf should notify the VA right away by calling 844-724-7842 or using VA’s Emergency Care Reporting (ECR) portal.
If an eligible individual receives a bill for community care after receiving emergency care during or after a suicidal crisis that they believe should be covered by the VA, they should contact VA’s customer service center at 877-881-7618.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive free, confidential support and crisis intervention available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.
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