Any doubt. Go to the ER.
One can’t simply go to the ER and expect the VA to approve. They must have VA approval first with their primary doctors approval or an absolute extreme emergency.
Even if one has the doctors approval and instructions the VA might not pay if they have other insurance.
I’ve been hospitalized once each year for the past two years and I’ve had trouble getting the VA to pay even though my primary care doctor ORDERED me to the hospital and notified the “Fee Basis” department ahead of me going to the hospital.
If one has Medicare the VA will not pay anything until Medicare first pays what it is going to pay. Also, if one has Medicare part a but not part B the VA will decline paying because the vet has “other insurance.
Often times hospitals use outside services such as ambulance services to transport patients from one branch location to another and that is not covered by Medicate part A which ONLY covers hospital treatments.
Oftentimes hospitals will use outside medical services such as emergency room doctors and those also are not covered by part A.
The VA will decline paying those two and other non hospital bills claiming the VET has “other insurance” even when that other insurance is Medicare part A only.