Veterans Emergency Care Reimbursement Act of 2025

House Votes

This bill changes how the VA pays veterans back for out-of-pocket costs from emergency care at non-VA hospitals when they also have other health insurance. It updates the rules that limit reimbursement for amounts a veteran owes to others or must pay under a health plan. It also defines “copayment” as a fixed dollar amount, not a deductible or coinsurance. The changes apply to past and future claims, including some that were previously denied, and reach back to emergency care on or after February 1, 2012, including claims tied to the Wolfe v. McDonough case.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Veterans who got emergency care at non-VA hospitals and had other health insurance.
• What changes: The VA’s limit on paying back what veterans owe is revised; “copayment” is clarified as a fixed fee, not a deductible or coinsurance; “reimbursement claim” includes copays, deductibles, coinsurance, or other cost shares, and even previously rejected claims for the value of care.
• When: Applies to emergency treatments on or after February 1, 2012, and covers certain past claims, including those in Wolfe v. McDonough.