Department of Veterans Affairs to cover first three mental health, substance abuse copays for veterans through 2027

Group of veterans talking during PTSD support group. Adobe Stock Photo by Aleisha Robinson and Lizzie Suber, AFRO Interns Special to the AFRO For the next three years, U.S. veterans will not have to pick up copay costs related to the first three outpatient appointments for mental health and substance abuse disorders, according to information released by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. The agency said on May 29 that the first three copays for these specific services will be covered from June 27, 2023 through Dec. 29, 2027. The benefit reduces veterans’ personal expenses and increases their access to behavioral health care. To qualify for this benefit, the patient’s treatment must be conducted by a licensed mental health professional at Veterans Affairs (VA) or through a network of local healthcare providers. The VA will reimburse veterans for any copays they made on June 27, 2023 and beyond. According to a VA press release, the Biden-Harris administration aims to provide all veterans with timely, world-class mental health care. They have recorded a 7 percent decrease in average mental health wait times since April 2024 and have increased veterans care. Furthermore, a survey conducted by VA records that the percentage of...