I'm a 100% SC. Since the VA Medical Center in New Orleans is gone since Katrina, I got a Fee Basis Card after many requests. It says that the limit is $125 per month. What about if the doctor charges more for the initial office visit or I have more than one visit a month which costs more than the limit. Also, if the doctor needs lab test or x-rays what do I have to do? What about if I have to go to the ER at the local hospital. How do I get reimbursed for this or have the VA pay for the ER visit. I did have to go to the local hospital last year for an emergency and had them file with the VA but the VA refused to pay for the charges. I have some private health insurance but it doesn't pay for all of the ER and I think the VA should pay for the ER or at least the charges that are not covered by my insurance. If anyone can give me advice and information on the Fee Basis and how to get the VA to pay for an ER visit, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Cote

Where did you get your fee-basis card from? That's who you need to call/contact and tell them (don't ask them, tell them.....nicely) that they need to pay for the additional medical bills.

I think for ER visits the VA looks at things like, if it was a real emergency and was there a VA facility availability, etc. Don't pay any of those bills.

And.....$125/month??? Yup, that's a ridiculously low amount. Maybe because of your private health insurance it's so low.

Good luck,

Pleas call the VARO for the answers you need about the Fee Card

[color="#0000FF"][size="3"]The Fee Limit of 125 is for service that you require without prior approval.

Any money over 125 the Fee Service Department has to approve and it is not an easy task.

Blood work alone usually costs more than 125.

By the way the 125 limit has been in effect since before I got it in 1993.

You can still go to the VA of course.[/size][/color]