Emergency Room Coverage Guide
Understanding when VA covers emergency care and what steps to take in medical emergencies
When to Use Emergency Services
Life-Threatening Emergencies
For life-threatening injuries or symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Don't delay care to travel to a VA facility.
Emergency Situations Include:
- Chest pain or heart attack symptoms
- Severe breathing difficulties
- Stroke symptoms (sudden weakness, confusion, severe headache)
- Severe injuries from accidents
- Severe burns or poisoning
- Suicidal thoughts or mental health crisis
VA Emergency Care Coverage
At VA Facilities
VA emergency departments operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide immediate medical care for threats to life or limb. If you're enrolled in VA healthcare, emergency care at VA facilities is covered under your benefits.
At Non-VA Facilities
Emergency care at non-VA facilities may be covered, but coverage is not guaranteed and is subject to clinical review. VA must determine that the care was for a true emergency and that you couldn't reasonably have been expected to travel to a VA facility.
Important: 72-Hour Notification Rule
If you receive emergency care at a non-VA facility, you must notify VA within 72 hours by calling 844-724-7842 or using the emergency care reporting portal at VA.gov.
Steps to Take in an Emergency
Get Immediate Care
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Don't delay care to travel to a VA facility if you're experiencing a life-threatening emergency.
Notify VA Within 72 Hours
Call 844-724-7842 or visit the emergency care reporting portal at VA.gov to report your emergency care visit.
Provide Documentation
Keep all medical records, bills, and documentation from your emergency care visit. VA will need these for coverage review.
Follow Up with VA
Contact your VA healthcare team for follow-up care and to coordinate any ongoing treatment needed after your emergency.
Special Emergency Care Programs
COMPACT Act Coverage
For Veterans in suicidal crisis, the COMPACT Act ensures free emergency health care at any VA or non-VA facility, including transportation, up to 30 days of inpatient or crisis residential care, and up to 90 days of outpatient care, regardless of VA enrollment status if eligible.
Veterans Crisis Line
The Veterans Crisis Line provides 24/7 support for Veterans in crisis. Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net for immediate help.
Cost and Coverage Information
Emergency care coverage depends on several factors including your enrollment status, the nature of the emergency, and whether you followed proper notification procedures. VA will review each case to determine coverage eligibility.
Coverage Factors
- • Severity and nature of the medical condition
- • Distance to nearest VA facility
- • Whether VA could have provided the care
- • Timeliness of notification to VA
- • Your enrollment and eligibility status
Need Help with Emergency Care?
Get personalized guidance on emergency care coverage and procedures