Failure to Pay the Copayment

If a veteran fails to pay the required copayment, the VA can refuse to treat the veteran until the copayment has been paid in full. The VA is allowed to collect the debt from any VA compensation or pension benefits due the veteran. VA debt collection rules that usually apply when there has been an overpayment of VA benefits also apply to VA health care debt. A veteran who has incurred a VA health care debt may ask the VA to waive all or part of that debt. As an alternative, a veteran may offer to settle the debt for less than the full amount owed or challenge the existence of the debt.