Minnesota and Wisconsin veterans are facing thousands of dollars in old co-payments from the VA

Minnesota's congressional delegation, led by Rep. John Kline, is fighting a Veterans Affairs directive that found veterans suddenly being billed for co-payments that were as much as five years old.

Recently, members of Congress were notified that the VA discovered unbilled copay amounts for inpatient care provided to veterans over a five-year period. Veterans were going to be assessed copays ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 because the VA erred in not charging them at the time of the care.

Veterans in Minnesota and Wisconsin were to be affected, prompting members of Minnesota's and Wisconsin's congressional delegations to sign a letter to VA Secretary Bob McDonald asking to delay attempting to collect the payments from the vets, many of whom are on fixed incomes and might not be able to pay.

"Our veterans sought care at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in good faith and should not be suddenly saddled with thousands of dollars in bills years later due to the VA's inability to properly track, record, and bill for services," the letter said.

The VA responded in July, apologizing for the episode and assuring that it would "develop stronger internal controls to mitigate risks of this from occurring in the future."

The incident affected only vets served by the Minneapolis Veterans Medical Center and amounted to $549,198. McDonald said every affected vet would be personally contacted about setting up a payment plan or applying for a waiver. The VA identified 1,482 veterans in Minnesota and Wisconsin who would have been affected by the retroactive charges, including 26 who have been deceased for more than six months.

Kline, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, said he would introduce legislation that would give the VA secretary the authority to waive the delayed co-payments if it was the VA's error that caused the delay. The legislation also would require the VA to inform vets of their rights to set up payment plans or apply for waivers.

Mark Brunswick • 612-673-4434