Emergencies don’t schedule themselves around VA business hours. When a Veteran faces a life-threatening emergency, the priority is to get help – fast. Thankfully, the VA understands this and has procedures in place for Veterans who need emergency care at non-VA facilities. However, there are a few important steps to follow if you want the VA to consider paying for that care.
First, if you believe your life or health is in danger, don’t hesitate. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Your health and safety come first. If you are enrolled in VA health care and need emergency treatment, you may be eligible for VA reimbursement of those costs – but only under certain conditions.
One of the most important steps is notifying the VA within 72 hours of the emergency care. This allows the VA to determine eligibility, coordinate any necessary follow-up care, and work with the community provider on payment. Missing this step could result in a surprise bill.
So how do you notify the VA? There are several ways to do it:
- Call VA Emergency Care Reporting at 844-724-7842. This is VA’s dedicated line for emergency care notifications and is available 24/7.
- Online via the VA’s emergency care reporting portal: emergencycarereporting. communitycare.va.gov
- Through the non-VA provider. Hospitals and clinics can submit notifications on your behalf using the same phone number or website.
Keep in mind that VA authorized emergency care at non-VA facilities depends on several factors – such as whether you’re enrolled in VA health care, whether the emergency facility is in VA’s community care network, and whether VA is notified within 72 hours.
It’s also important to understand that VA payment is never guaranteed. If you are treated and the VA later determines you weren’t eligible or weren’t properly enrolled, you may still be responsible for the bill. That’s why it’s so important to apply for and maintain VA health care enrollment, even if you don’t currently use it.
Bottom line: In an emergency, get care immediately. But if that care happens at a non-VA facility, remember to notify the VA within 72 hours. It could make all the difference in whether the VA helps pay for your treatment – or doesn’t.
PSA – Cook and Lake County Veterans Services will be closed July 14 – 18. 2025.
Brad Anderson and Melissa Crandall are the Lake County Veterans Service Officers and can be reached at 218.834.8326 or cvso@co.lake.mn.us
Karen Christianson is the Cook County Veterans Service Officer and can be reached at 218.387.3639, or karen.christianson@co.cook.mn.us
