VA Proposes Rule to Waive Copays for Whole Health Services, Expanding Access for Veterans

The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proposing a rule to exempt veterans from paying copays for Whole Health well-being services at nationwide VA facilities. 

“Whole Health well-being services, which focus on the overall well-being of the Veteran independent of treatment for a specific medical condition or diagnosis, are an important aspect of the VA care,” the VA stated in a press release. “Copayment exempt services include Whole Health education, Health and Wellness coaching, skill-building programs, and complementary and integrative health services such as Yoga and Meditation.”

The proposed changes by the Biden-Harris Administration aim to expand access to VA health care and lower costs for veterans, including waiving copays for mental health visits and telehealth appointments. These efforts are part of VA's ongoing initiatives to improve veteran trust, outperform non-VA care, and provide more appointments than ever before. Exemptions for certain VA programs, such as weight management counseling and preventative screening, have helped increase participation and improve health care outcomes.

“…exempting certain Whole Health well-being services from copayment aims to assist Veterans in becoming more actively involved in their health care and continue to seek services through these important programs,” the press release stated. 

Reference
VA proposes to exempt veterans from paying copays for certain Whole Health well-being services. Press release. VA.gov. Published January 3, 2025. Accessed January 7, 2025. https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-proposes-to-exempt-veterans-from-paying-copays-for-certain-whole-health-well-being-services/