VA To Fill Prescriptions Written by Private Doctors for Veterans Who Have Waited More Than 30 Days for Care

The Department of Veterans Affairs health care system will allow veterans who have waited more than 30 days to see a VA physician to have prescriptions filled that were written by non-VA physicians and to obtain drug discounts from the department, USA Today reports. Currently, the VA health system requires veterans to see a VA doctor to get their prescriptions filled by the department, which charges $7 for a 30-day drug supply. The move is expected to cost the department $20 million to $30 million this year, according to Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi. "There are too many veterans who have to wait more than 30 days for primary care," and many "are turning to us because they can't get prescription drugs without spending a fortune or going to Canada," Principi said. The new policy, which Principi is expected to formally announce either July 24 or July 25, would affect about 200,000 veterans. Principi said he is considering allowing all veterans enrolled in the health system to fill prescriptions written by non-VA doctors (Welch, USA Today, 7/24).