VA Restarts Debt, Copay Collection Process After COVID-19 Pause

VA Restarts Debt, Copay Collection Process After COVID-19 Pause
Alex Wong/Getty Images

The VA began collecting debts from beneficiaries Oct. 1, a process suspended in April 2020 as part of COVID-19 relief efforts.

 

These debts include recouping overpayments as well as medical copays created prior to the COVID-19 relief period (April 6, 2020) as well as any new debts. The department announced the move in an Oct. 1 press release.

 

While collections are underway now, the VA will not deduct debts from benefit payments until January 2022, per the release.

 

[RELATED: How to Get Your COVID-19 Shot Record Online From the VA]

 

An April 2020 executive order from President Donald Trump suspended all VA debt collection in the early months of the pandemic. A January 2021 order from President Joe Biden extended the suspension. The VA will continue to offer relief options in certain circumstances, the release states, including for those who’ve been affected by natural disasters.

 

VA Debt Resources

If you owe money to the VA and have questions or concerns about the repayment process, you can:

 

Get More Financial and Benefits Advice From MOAA’s Webinar Archive

PREMIUM and LIFE members enjoy unlimited access to MOAA’s wealth of resources on finance, health care, transition, and benefits information.

BROWSE THE ARCHIVE JOIN OR UPGRADE FOR ACCESS

About the Author

Kevin Lilley
Kevin Lilley

Lilley serves as MOAA's digital content manager. His duties include producing, editing, and managing content for a variety of platforms, with a concentration on The MOAA Newsletter and MOAA.org. Follow him on X: @KRLilley