Why doesn't the VA send my prescriptions to a military facility, where there is no cost to me?

LTC Larry Trujillo — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 11:57:27 -0400

why doesn't the VA send my prescriptions to a military facility, where there is no cost to me?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 6 at 2022 5:40 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 17:40:54 -0400

If you are over 50%, I think they ship them to your home free.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 6 at 2022 6:31 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 18:31:52 -0400

That’s a good question to ask but that’s a conversation to be had by two different Hospitals working in two different coverage networks. It’s not something that would happen automatic.

Response by PFC Edgar Mosier made Aug 7 at 2022 5:31 PM

PFC Edgar Mosier — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 17:31:57 -0400

Sir,

I'd suggest asking your nearest VA, if you can.

However, for a bit better understanding of your question (I'm 70% Service-Connected, after over 42 years of chasing. Those years were mostly not compensated years.), you'll find some answers at https://www.va.gov/healthbenefits/resources/publications/hbco/hbco_copayments.asp

Great Luck and God Bless, as "This, We'll Defend!", Sir / Brother.

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs

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Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Aug 13 at 2022 7:44 AM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 07:44:59 -0400

Money. The VA and DOD are two independently funded agencies. Your copay at the VA was imposed to have veterans pay a portion of the cost of their care based upon the percentage of their maladies attributable to their service. Your copay reduces the operational funding congress must allocate to the VA. Even if the VA provided your medicine to DOD free of charge, the DOD would have to fund any additional personnel required to handle processing and distribution of your medication. If the DOD was authorized to bill the VA for services and material provided to vets, both agencies would have to increase manning to accomplish the costs of funding the distribution. Two different agencies with different missions and neither is going to allocate any of their funding to accomplish the other's mission/responsibility.

PFC Mosier's reference also includes many situations that can be used to excuse the copay if it is a real fiscal burden.