Army Veteran Has Prosthetic Legs Repossessed After VA Refuses to Pay for Them...

[HDSam]

18. Not on the VA

I would bet the Veteran lost his legs not while in service but likely due to uncontrolled diabetes. In situations like that (not service connected), Medicare covers 80% of the cost and the Veteran is responsible for the remaining 20%. The Veterans Health Administration does not operate as a secondary insurance, they do not pick up the remaining 20%.

If the loss of limbs was determined to be a service connected injury, the VA generally provides prosthetics, but you can’t just go out and buy any prosthetic from any supplier and expect the VHA to cover it. At the very least, he should have discussed this with his VHA primary care provider beforehand.

As an example, Senator Tammy Duckworth’s prosthetics are likely provided through the VHA because the loss of limbs in her situation, I would think, is definitely service connected.

If anyone it’s Congress, who creates the laws the VA has to follow, who is responsible for this. I hate the fact elderly Veterans that are often on fixed incomes are on the hook for the 20% Medicare doesn’t cover.

I’m a retired Veteran that gets his healthcare through the VA and I’ve educated myself on the policies and rules.