WASHINGTON – Veterans insured by the Hartford Life Insurance Company or the USAA Life Insurance Company may be eligible for a refund of their VA copayments.
In a recent settlement with the Department of Veterans Affairs and a coalition of insurance industry groups, Hartford and USAA paid VA approximately $11.1 million. The settlement involves payments for care provided by VA to insured veterans with Medicare or Tricare supplemental coverage from Jan. 1, 1995 through Dec. 31, 2001.
“This settlement clarifies the claims reimbursement process,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. “It not only resolves the litigation but also reimburses those veterans whose copayments to VA should have been covered by their insurance.”
Veterans insured by Hartford or USAA who paid VA copayments for VA medical care they received from Jan. 1, 1995 through Dec. 31, 2001 may ask VA for a refund of their copayments on a first-come, first-served basis. All requests for refunds must be postmarked by April 1, 2004.
VA will notify by mail those veterans who may be eligible for refunds according to records on file. Other veterans who believe they may be eligible for a refund may obtain a claims application form by calling a special toll-free number (1-866-258-2772) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., EST, Monday through Friday. They also may download the application from the VA website at www.va.gov/hottopic/.
