VA Announces Copayment Waiver for Eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans

WASHINGTON (April 3, 2023) – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans are no longer required to make copayments for health care and urgent care received through VA.

Under a copayment exemption rule, VA will reimburse copayments paid on or after Jan. 5, 2022, and waive future copayments for eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans. Now, these Veterans can submit documentation to qualify for the exemption.

Eligibility includes any Veteran meeting the definitions of “Indian” or “urban Indian” under the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. The criteria includes Veterans who are members of an American Indian Tribe, certain Veterans who are descendants of Tribe members, Alaska Native Veterans, and more.

It is estimated to impact approximately 25,000 American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans, according to VA.

For more information on how to receive financial relief under the new waiver rule for eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans, read the full VA announcement.