Veterans in acute suicide crisis can now go to any VA, non-VA facility at no cost
A new policy effective since Jan. 17 seeks to break down financial barriers and make treatment more accessible for veterans experiencing acute suicidal crisis.
Per the policy ― outlined in section 201 of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act of 2020 ― veterans in acute suicidal crisis can now receive emergency care at no cost at any Veterans Affairs or non-VA health care facility. The policy covers up to 30 days of inpatient or residential care and up to 90 days of outpatient care.
Veterans do not need to be enrolled in the VA system to be eligible for this benefit. This opens up access to free crisis care for up to 9 million veterans not currently enrolled in the VA system, according to a VA news release.
The policy will also cover transportation costs, said psychologist Nathaniel DeYoung, VA Northern Indiana Health Care System chief of mental health.
DeYoung said he is excited that the new policy will allow the VA to "help so many more veterans."
"When veterans are experiencing … an emergency mental health crisis, that is a very vulnerable position for someone to be in, and this act really allows us to decrease the number barriers that exist between a veteran that's in crisis and receiving care," DeYoung said.
He said the policy will be an important tool for ensuring that when a veteran is experiencing distress, they won't have to worry about how much treatment will cost, where they can go or what is covered.
"This is a really nice, smooth process for them to know that they can go anywhere and receive care," DeYoung said.
Veterans in crisis should go to their nearest emergency room. There, they should let staff know they are a veteran in order to take advantage of their COMPACT benefits, he said.
COMPACT's no-cost crisis care is one of many suicide prevention policies announced or further developed by the VA in the past year.
In July, the VA announced the new Veteran's Crisis Line phone number in response to the designation of 988 as a national suicide and mental health crisis lifeline. Veterans can now dial 988 then press 1 to connect with 24/7 crisis support. The VA also continued promoting firearm and lethal means safety and its national suicide prevention awareness campaign, "Don't Wait. Reach Out."
Who is eligible for no-cost crisis care under the COMPACT Act?
According to the release, those eligible for no-cost care, regardless of VA enrollment status, are:
Veterans who were discharged or released from active duty after more than 24 months of active service under conditions other than dishonorable.
Former members of the armed forces, including reserve service members, who served more than 100 days under a combat exclusion or in support of a contingency operation either directly or by operating an unmanned aerial vehicle from another location who were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Former members of the armed forces who were the victim of a physical assault of a sexual nature, a battery of a sexual nature or sexual harassment while serving in the armed forces.
Email Tribune staff writer Claire Reid at cereid@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Veterans in crisis can now go to any VA, non-VA facility at no cost
