It’s Official: Voc Rehab to Pay Health Insurance

I have been writing about this for a while but Voc Rehab counselors were still waiting for an official policy change to come from DC. Yesterday, Director Ruth Fanning published the official position of Voc Rehab. That position is the health insurance, if required by the college for all students, will be paid for by Voc Rehab.

I first brought the issue up to Director Fanning last year. In March, I met with her in DC to discuss the matter in person. At the meeting, I explained that the current VA policy of making veterans waive their insurance was wrong.

The reason that position as wrong is that it forces the veteran to use their Social Security number as their insurance number. The position of the VA was that VA healthcare through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the same as health care. This is not true.

Health insurance is not the same as health care. Many veterans seen in emergency rooms outside of the VHA while on trips were forced to pay those bills out of pocket because VA would refuse to pay a third party.

This act defeats the purpose of the health insurance mandate, which is to ensure the college student receives quality care without incurring financial risk that could impact their ability to attend college.

Here is the policy letter in its entirety. For veterans, take this letter to your counselor if they have not already seen it.

 

Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Policy Letter

The link below contains the policy. It is also posted below the link in its entirety.

https://www.disabledveterans.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/VRE-Letter-28-12-32.pdf

 

June 27, 2012

VR&E Letter 28-12-32

Director (00/28)

VA Regional Officers and Centers

 

SUBJ:  Clarification on the Payment of Student Health Fees for Veterans participating in VA’s Chapter 31 Program

 

Purpose

This letter clarifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Service policy regarding the payment of student health fees.

 

Background

Recent questions from the field have resulted in review and clarification of guidance and procedures regarding the payment of student health fees for Veterans attending institutions of higher teaming under the Chapter 31 program.

 

Applicable Citations

38 usc 3104

38 usc 3115

38 CFR 21.262

VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) 831.7001-4

M28-1, Part II, Chapter 3

M28-1, Part Ill, Chapter 5

 

Clarification

VR&E may pay student health fees as a part of established school costs.   Under 38 USC 3104(a)(7) and VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) 831.7001-4, VA may pay the customary student health fees for a Chapter 31 participant  when payment of the fee is required for similarly circumstanced non-Veteran  students.   Payment of such fees should be paid from Readjustment Benefit (RB) funds.

Clarification

VR&E may pay student health fees as a part of established school costs. Under 38 USC 3104(a)(7) and VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) 831.7001-4, VA may pay the customary student health fees for a Chapter 31 participant when payment of the fee is required for similarly circumstanced non-Veteran students. Payment of such fees should be paid from Readjustment Benefit (RB) funds.

 

Example:

A school requires all students to have health care insurance coverage.   The purpose is to ensure each student has access to medical care and can maintain good health, which is essential for academic success.  Although the health care insurance fee is assessed to all students as part of the school’s established fee schedule, some schools allow a waiver to be  granted if the student provides proof of health insurance coverage.

 

Findings:

Many Chapter 31 participants receive health care services from VA’s Veterans Health Administration (VHA).   However, VHA is a provider of medical services, not a provider of health insurance coverage.

 

Decision:

Since the school requires all students to have health care insurance coverage, and VHA is not a health care insurance coverage provider,  VR&E may pay the school’s health/insurance fees on behalf of the Chapter 31 participant.

 

Prohibited School Health Fees/Expenses

VR&E cannot approve payment for:

•  student health fees that encompass  health coverage for a Chapter 31 participant’s dependent;

•  medical services rendered to a Chapter 31 participant;

•  medical services rendered to a Chapter 31 participant’s dependent;

•  co-payments; or

•   deductibles

If VR&E is billed for any type of medical service rendered or any fees and expenses related to dependents, VR&E must immediately contact the school, explain the issue, and request a corrected invoice.

 

Medical Services

In accordance with M28-1, Part Ill, Chapter 5, VHA is the primary resource for the provision of necessary medical treatment, care and services.   However, any medical services other than those covered under the student health care plan offered by the school may be authorized under an agreement between the VHA and the health care facility.  Before the execution of such agreement, VHA must determine whether or not there is a need for service, and may authorize the needed services on a contract or fee basis.

Situations concerning the authorization, provision, and payment of medical treatment or services for Chapter 31 participants and their dependant(s) are under the authority of the Veterans Health Administration,  per 38 USC 3104(a)(9).