Beginning January 2023, veterans in acute suicidal crisis could begin going to any VA or non-VA health facility for emergency health care at no cost, including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. It is not necessary to be enrolled in VA health care to take advantage of the new policy, which was created by the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment (COMPACT) Act of 2020. 

After exactly one year, a total of 49,714 veterans and former service members have used this benefit, providing them with lifesaving care and saving an estimated $64 million in health care costs. The policy also increases access to no-cost emergency suicide care for up to 9 million veterans that would have been previously ineligible for the care.

Ending veteran suicide has been VA’s top clinical priority for several years and a key part of VA’s effort to expand support for veterans in crisis beginning in 2021. To read the news release reporting the impact of the new policy, click here.