Change to Veteran Crisis Care Starts January 17th

(KNSI) — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says starting January 17th, a veteran in an acute suicidal crisis can go to any VA or non-VA healthcare facility for emergency help at no cost.

The care would include inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days, regardless of VA enrollment status.

“Veterans in suicidal crisis can now receive the free, world-class emergency health care they deserve – no matter where they need it, when they need it, or whether they’re enrolled in VA care,” said VA Secretary for Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough. “This expansion of care will save Veterans’ lives, and there’s nothing more important than that.”

The change also allows up to nine million veterans not currently enrolled for VA benefits to access acute suicide care.

In September, VA released the 2022 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, which showed that veteran suicides decreased in 2020 for the second year. It also showed fewer veterans died by suicide in 2020 than in any year since 2006.

The effort is part of the VA’s 10-year National Strategy for Preventing Veteran Suicide.

Over the past year, VA has announced or continued several additional efforts to end veteran suicide, including leveraging a national Veteran suicide prevention awareness campaign called Don’t Wait. Reach Out.

If you are a veteran in crisis or know a veteran in crisis, please get in touch with the Veteran Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1. Text is also available at 838255. Chat is available by clicking here. You do not need to be enrolled for benefits through the VA to access help.

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