Sexual Trauma Vets wrongly charged for free care, IG finds

Vets wrongly charged for free care, IG finds

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Feb 5, 2010 10:06:47 EST

Veterans seeking treatment for sexual trauma suffered in the military may have been improperly charged copayments by the Veterans Affairs Department, according to a new report from the VA Inspector General.

The report, issued Thursday, has resulted in a change in billing practices and a promise that anyone charged for mental health counseling or treatment for physical health conditions could get their money back.

Free counseling and treatment, mental or physical, is available for male or female veterans for sexual trauma that occurred while on active duty or during National Guard and reserve duties. Unlike disability-related health issues, which veterans often must prove are service-connected, veterans seeking treatment for injury, illness or psychological conditions relating to sexual trauma do not have to provide any documentation or evidence that they reported the incident that caused the trauma.

Any veteran can receive the care; they don’t even have to be eligible for veterans benefits or be enrolled in the veterans health care system.

More than 65,000 patients were treated by the VA for sexual trauma in fiscal 2009, according to the report.
read more here
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/02/military_veterans_sexualassault_020410w/