Start with the charge on your VA statement. If you think it’s wrong, dispute it in writing. If it’s right but you can’t afford it, your options depend on whether you need more time, relief from the balance, or help with upcoming costs. VA asks you to act within 30 days of receiving a bill to avoid late charges. If that time has passed, call about your options now. VA says you can request a monthly payment plan at any time.
Check what VA billed you for
Look at the facility, date, amount and whether the charge was for care or a prescription. You can review your VA copay balance and statements online or call VA billing at 866-400-1238 (TTY 711). Keep the bill in front of you. If a non-VA hospital sent you its own bill, identify the sender when you call so the office can direct you to the right process.
If the amount looks wrong
Say exactly which charge you dispute and why. For example, if the same visit appears twice, identify both entries and attach a copy of the relevant statement. VA accepts a written dispute through Ask VA or by mail to a VA medical center’s business or health administration office. Follow VA’s copay dispute instructions for the correct online category and where to send evidence. Keep a copy and the submission date.
If you owe the bill but need time to pay
Work out a monthly amount you could keep paying after rent, groceries and other essentials. For a paper request, VA’s repayment agreement form, VA Form 10-323, directs you to mail it to the Consolidated Patient Account Center handling your account. The form page links to the address list. Ask billing to confirm the address and which statements your proposed plan covers. If another bill arrives, ask whether you need to add those charges.
If even monthly payments would leave you short
You can ask VA to forgive some or all of the current balance through a waiver. If you can afford a smaller single payment, you can propose that amount as a compromise. VA reviews the request. Use its financial hardship assistance page to start online or follow the paper instructions. The paper route calls for VA Form 5655 and a letter explaining why payment is difficult. VA’s Financial Status Report guide explains what household financial information to gather. Send it through the official VA channel.
If your income dropped and the next bill is the concern
Suppose your hours were cut and you already have a balance from an earlier visit. Ask about two decisions: relief for that existing balance and a hardship determination for future copays. For the second request, VA directs you to submit Form 10-10HS with an explanatory letter to the business or health administration office at your nearest VA medical center. If approved, the exemption applies for the rest of the calendar year. Pharmacy medication copays are excluded from this hardship exemption.
Before ending the call, ask, “What should I send, where should I send it, and what happens to my current bill while you review it?” Write down the next action and any due date. If the same loss of income is putting your housing at risk, our financial and housing assistance guide lists places to ask for help. For questions about starting VA care, see VA health care without insurance.
Freedom Through Veteran Assistance checked the linked VA instructions on November 14, 2026. VA decides each request.