Effective January 2023, section 201 of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care and Treatment (COMPACT) Act of 2020 allows eligible veterans to receive emergent suicide care in any Veterans Affairs (VA) or non-VA facility at no cost. The COMPACT Act requires reimbursement for any emergent suicide care provided to eligible veterans.
Veterans are not required to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit. The COMPACT Act will expand eligibility to an additional nine million unenrolled veterans and ensures all veterans in acute suicidal crisis have access to needed services.
Additional hospital-specific implications of the COMPACT Act are outlined below:
- Hospital emergency departments that have a veteran experiencing an acute suicidal crisis should contact the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Emergency Reporting Center as soon as possible, preferably within 72 hours by calling the VA emergency notification number at 1-844-72HRVHA (1-844-724-7842) or through the VA emergency care reporting portal.
- Community hospitals must submit claims for reimbursement to the VA within 180 days for care given during an acute suicidal crisis. Any other medical and or mental healthcare provided at a community hospital’s emergency department, beyond the designated suicidal ideation and acute crisis, falls under the VHA 72-hour emergency care notification and reporting requirements.
- Additional training for hospital staff to assist veterans in suicidal crisis or those who are having thoughts of suicide are encouraged are encouraged to sign up for a VA S.A.V.E training, either online or in-person training.
Members may refer to the IVC Fact Sheet for more information about the COMPACT Act, which includes details on eligibility, program benefits, available services, definitions and frequently asked questions. Contact information for Michigan VA hospitals and additional veteran resources are available through the Choose VA resource.
Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.