er visit with va insurance

Your Guide to VA Hospital Emergency Room and Urgent Care Benefits

When medical situations arise, knowing your options for coverage, healthcare, and all things related is imperative. For Vets, this means understanding how the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) works when it comes to emergency and urgent care resources. Below, our guide is breaking down how to use a VA hospital emergency room, urgent care centers, civilian facilities, and so much more.

Should I Go to a VA Hospital Emergency Room or Urgent Care? Here’s How to Choose

Understanding when to use the emergency room at a VA hospital or to choose VA urgent care services is critical.

Not only for your health, which should come first in any situation, but also for knowing where to go to avoid unnecessary costs and headaches.

Healthcare can look different for everyone and all medical advice should come from your care team.

With that being said, here are some considerations to keep in mind when trying to choose.

Choose a VA Urgent Care

• You need to undergo a diagnostic test, including blood or urine.
• You are suffering from a minor illness or injury that is not life-threatening but should be treated soon.
• Some examples you may be experiencing include non-bleeding, deep cuts, sprains/strains/minor broken bones, symptoms of a UTI, a sore throat, mild burns, etc.

Choose a VA Hospital Emergency Room or Call 911

Anytime your life may be in immediate danger because of a health concern, dialing 911 or going to an emergency room is the right decision. Find the nearest location or have them go to you immediately.

Emergency care doesn’t require referrals from the VA, nor do you need approval. Here are some examples of when you may need to seek an ER or call 911:

• You can’t breathe and/or have chest pains or discomfort, including pressure.
• You’ve fallen without understanding why or how. Extreme dizziness or passing out are also acceptable reasons.
• Head injuries.
• You are bleeding and can’t stop. You have a wound that refuses to close.
• You’ve suffered severe burns.
• You have a high fever, severe allergic symptoms, can’t stop feeling nauseated, or won’t stop vomiting.
• Seek emergency attention if you suffer a seizure.
• If you are pregnant and experience pain in your abdomen and/or vaginal bleeding.
• Mental health emergencies may include disorientation, self-harm, harm to others, or acting out of control. In addition to dialing 911 for help with mental health emergencies, you can also call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 and select 1, text 838255, or dial 711 then 988 for TTY.

Keep in mind that this list is not comprehensive. Any and all immediate concerns to the health of an individual can constitute the use of an ER, 911, or 988 for mental health issues.

Do VA Hospitals Have Emergency Rooms?

Yes, you can find a VA hospital emergency room at many, but not all, of their locations. To find VA locations with emergency rooms , click the link and do the following:

• You can put in your location and then use the map tool to zoom in and out and better identify the VA facility closest to you.
• Be sure to switch the “Facility Type” to “emergency care” and the “Service Type” to “VA emergency care” to find locations with ERs.

Can Civilians Go to VA Hospitals in Emergency Rooms?

Life or death situations and certain conditions and eligibility criteria may allow civilians admission into VA hospital emergency rooms if they are a family member/dependent of a Veteran.

Furthermore, family members are allowed to accompany Veterans receiving healthcare from the VA, even if they are not legally related. This means friends and other individuals may be allowed.

The focus is on providing Veterans receiving care the emotional support they need during treatment.

Therefore, if this is interfered with by infringements upon the rights and safety of others or an individual’s healthcare, civilians can be denied access to the facility.

Can Dependents Use the Emergency Room at VA Hospital?

There are select situations in which dependents and spouses may be admitted to an emergency room at a VA hospital; however, under normal circumstances, these rooms are reserved for the healthcare of Veterans who qualify.

Like all emergencies, civilian or not, if you fear for your life, call 911 immediately.

This guide is a resource but not the absolute authority in healthcare. 911 can better provide you with the appropriate course of action for your needs.

Will the VA Pay for an Emergency Room Visit to Other Hospitals?

If you require non-VA emergency care, your benefits will cover it; however, there are important stipulations to remember:

• You’re only covered until you can be transferred either to the VA or another federal facility.
• There is one exception, which is when the VA can’t accept you. Rest assured, this is not a normal occurrence.
• Your care must also be at an ER that is within the VA’s community care network. Furthermore, you must notify the VA within 72 hours of arriving.
• If the VA isn’t notified in time, you aren’t denied automatically, but your claim must meet further requirements of eligibility for unauthorized emergency care.

Does the VA Have Urgent Care?

If you need urgent care and qualify as a Veteran, you can receive it at your local VA medical center. The VA will also cover in‑network urgent care providers nearby.

Urgent care can also be received at walk-in retail health clinics. Veterans can utilize these healthcare services for minor, non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses. Here are a few examples:

• Certain vaccines
• An ear infection
• Strep throat

If you have an inpatient admission that isn’t scheduled or a trip to an emergency department, you need to notify the VA by calling 844-724-7842 or emailing [email protected] .

Does the VA Cover Urgent Care?

Veterans can have urgent care visits covered at more than 4,000 locations. There is no copay. If you do have a copay, you will be sent a bill by the VA at a later date than your visit.

The copay is going to depend on the frequency you visit urgent care as well as your VA priority group. For some, it’s simply $30 per visit.

Furthermore, if you use urgent care for your prescription at a non-VA pharmacy, you’re covered for as much as a 14-day supply so long as the pharmacy is within the VA network and meets these guidelines:

• Veterans have options. Either use the VA for your prescription or get it filled at an in-network pharmacy within the same state you visit urgent care.
• However, remember your limitations. If your prescription is for a supply larger than 14 days or a routine medicine for your healthcare, Vets must go through the VA.

Keep in mind that out-of-network pharmacies can fill your prescriptions but you’ll likely have to cover the entire cost. You can find in-community pharmacies online.

Finally, if you are eligible for the VA travel reimbursement and travel to non-VA urgent care within your community, you can receive travel benefits to cover the eligible costs.

Who Qualifies for VA Urgent Care Benefit?

To qualify for the VA urgent care benefit, you’ll need to be enrolled in VA healthcare as a Veteran and have received care either at the VA or a provider that is within the network within the last 24 months.

Keep in mind that this is a benefit exclusive to Veterans and family members are not eligible for VA urgent care services.

Not sure if you are eligible? Contact the VA or call 1-800-698-2411 (TTY: 711) to speak to someone and check your eligibility.

How to Use Your VA Benefits at Urgent Care

If you’re going to use your VA benefits for urgent care, there are certain ways to go about it. This is because of laws and policies that help organize, yet somewhat, complicate the process.

Veterans serve our country with bravery and nobility and deserve access to their benefits. Here’s how to utilize your coverage at urgent care:

Find a Provider Within the VA’s Network

The first step is to find an urgent care within the VA’s network. Remember, out-of-network facilities are typically not covered due to laws prohibiting coverage and you could end up footing the entire bill.

Before you head out to receive care, you’ll want to confirm that the urgent care or pharmacy is approved by the VA, assuming your situation allows for this to be done safely.

Keep in mind just because a provider was within the VA’s network doesn’t mean they still are as they can change over time.

Tell Your Provider You’re Using Your VA Urgent Care Benefit

You’re going to need to explicitly let your provider know that you’re using your VA urgent care benefits.

While doing so, present them with your VA Health Identification Card and fill out the necessary forms.

If need be, be sure to provide your provider with your VA urgent care assistance card .

There is a number on the back of the card for your region that your provider can use to confirm whether or not you are eligible.

In addition to a copy of your VA urgent care assistance card, you’ll also need to bring your valid, government-issued photo ID, along with a VA urgent care billing information card .

For more help accessing this benefit, be sure to call the VA at the following phone numbers:

Use 1-888-901-6609 if your healthcare provider is in one of the following locations:

• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Virgin Islands
• Washington, D.C.
• West Virginia

Dial 1-866-620-2071 if your healthcare provider is in one of the following locations:

• American Samoa
• Northern Mariana Islands

Related reads:

• Summer Vet Fest: VA Hosts PACT Act Events All June Long
• The Untold Story of the First Female POW in Vietnam Who Vanished

1. Everything you need to know about VA urgent care services, VA News. Accessed May 2024. https://news.va.gov/128934/everything-to-know-about-va-urgent-care/

2. Choosing between urgent and emergency care, VA. Accessed May 2024. https://www.va.gov/resources/choosing-between-urgent-and-emergency-care/

3. Getting urgent care at VA or in-network community providers, VA. Accessed May 2024. https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-urgent-care-at-va-or-in-network-community-providers/

4. Community care, VA. Accessed May 2024. https://www.va.gov/houston-health-care/programs/community-care/

About Buddy Blouin

Buddy Blouin is a content writer that loves creating through the written word. Outside of searching through keyword data and creating blogs, he enjoys creating cocktails, cooking, and enjoying the Beautiful Game.

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VA Urgent Care coverage explained

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Mar 14, 2024 4:04 PM EDT

6 minute read

The difference between urgent care and emergency care is a chin-scratcher for many, especially for veterans who rely on the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system. 

There are countless stories of veterans footing the bill for a visit to urgent care because of confusing rules and their own missteps in the process. Arming yourself with knowledge of the process is a surefire way to avoid the headaches that can come with being bounced back and forth like a ping-pong ball between an urgent care clinic, the VA, and the billing processor.  

It’s no secret that veterans can be stubborn. I know this because I have worked as a paramedic for 10 years, both for private hospitals and now as with a fire station, and convincing a veteran to get care is one of the hardest parts of my job. I’ve had veterans in the midst of a heart attack insist they don’t need to go to the Emergency Room. I’ve also explained to other vets with minor aches and pains that they could face a major bill if the VA determines they did not need a trip to the ER for complaints that an urgent care is well-equipped to handle.

Some have thanked me. Others have told me to shut up and drive the ambulance. Like I said, we’re a stubborn group.

This story is not medical, legal advice, or official VA policy. Instead, it’s to help explain the convoluted process for rapid, emergency- and urgent-level care that many veterans seek out only to find themselves in an expensive billing headache. If you ever have questions about your eligibility, coverage, or anything else that pertains to your healthcare through the VA, please reach out to your local VA or Veterans Service Officer. 

Emergency care vs. urgent care

Under VA health insurance, billing and coverage differ depending on whether you need emergency or urgent care. Emergency care is for people under threat of dying or losing limbs or senses. Serious trauma from a car crash or an accident that threatens eyesight or amputations falls under emergency care, as do immediately life-threatening health conditions like cardiac arrhythmias or strokes. 

Urgent care is for health issues that require immediate treatment, from physical accidents to contagious sicknesses, but that are not life-threatening and unlikely to require specialized treatment like surgery, blood transfusions, or intubation. Ailments like the flu, a sprained ankle from basketball, or a urinary tract infection are all examples the VA gives as reasons to visit an urgent care clinic .

The problem veterans face is that the VA covers visits to an emergency room very differently than visits to an urgent care. 

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For emergency room visits , the VA will cover nearly all care that is immediately needed to save a patient’s life, regardless of where they get it, but there are still rules you’ll need to follow.

First, if you find yourself at a non-VA emergency room, you need to inform the VA within 72 hours. You can still get covered if you miss this deadline, but you’ll have to go through a reimbursement process that will likely take longer.

Second, you’ll only be covered for an extended ER stay until you’re healthy enough to be transferred from the non-VA facility to one in the VA’s network. According to the VA’s website , the VA will “only cover non-VA emergency care until we can safely transfer you to a VA or other federal facility.”

But an urgent care facility can make more sense if you don’t need a full emergency room but can’t wait to see your primary care doctor. Just make sure you understand the VA’s rules. 

Veteran eligibility for urgent care treatment

The list of conditions that qualify for coverage at in-network urgent care clinics can be a grey area, as the VA lists these conditions:

• Minor injuries and illnesses previously listed in the above section.
• “Diagnostic services,” I.E., x-rays and specific lab tests.
• “Some types of medicines and vaccines”

Another pitfall for veterans can be in the types of care available at an urgent care facility, even ones in-network for the VA. Though some care is obviously urgent like those listed above, many urgent care facilities have begun to offer more routine care, like employment physicals or “wellness” visits. But without the correct prior approvals, VA healthcare is likely to rule that you should see your VA primary doctor for routine care and not cover the cost of that urgent care visit.

The easiest way to make sure your treatment is covered, regardless of its severity, is to visit a VA facility. Veterans can go to any VA Urgent Care clinic, which can be a stand alone clinic or under the same roof as their ERs. Veterans with a 50% disability rating or higher have full healthcare coverage through the VA and its local, VA-approved urgent care clinics.

Gulf War veterans have benefits specific to them and with their own criteria. As of March 5, several more veterans can sign up for VA-sponsored healthcare without first applying for VA benefits . Your priority group will determine your coverage, but whether you can receive community care depends on different criteria.  

To be eligible to receive treatment at VA hospitals, in-network urgent care clinics, and same-day service clinics, you must be enrolled in VA health care and have received care at a VA or in-network provider in the past two years. If you have any questions about your eligibility, this is straight from the VA’s website: 

You can check your eligibility by calling the VA at 800-698-2411 (TTY: 711).

Flu shots are free for eligible veterans. Clinics cannot charge veterans copays for the shot. If you mistakenly pay a fee for that service, contact the VA for reimbursement. It’s on a case-by-case basis, so be ready for a yes or no response. 

Urgent care under VA rules also has a specific set of copays, which depend on a veteran’s priority group, which is based on their service-connected disabilities and service record. For 2024, priority groups 1 to 5 do not have a copay for the first three visits to urgent care within a year, and each subsequent visit will be a $30 copay. Group 6 has the same setup for any condition covered by special authority, like toxic exposures and military sexual trauma . 

All other priority groups will pay a $30 copay. If the clinic tries to charge you at copay at the visit, be wary. Your copay should go through the VA, not the clinic. All copays due will come via a mailed bill from the VA. The VA says, “Don’t pay a copay” if the urgent care tries to charge you at admission.

If the clinic staff insists you have to pay before receiving assessment and treatment, call your VA. 

Out-of-network providers

When you are sick and need help to get back on your feet, the last thing you may be worried about is whether a healthcare provider is  in-network or not. But, even though it won’t cause an initial headache, that bill that comes in the mail will,  especially if you thought you were covered. 

Sometimes, providers cancel their agreement with the VA as in-network providers but don’t advertise that publicly. Other times, coverage is location-specific. But since you shouldn’t go to urgent care with true life-threatening emergencies, take the time to check whether the clinic is in-network here .

When you arrive at covered urgent care, you’ll need your government-issued ID and urgent care assistance card, which can be a physical copy or an image on your phone. Most clinics will know whether they can treat veterans under the VA’s coverage. 

So what happens if a clinic mistakenly bills a veteran and they pay it? Veterans should call the VA when they realize their mistake, and the VA may reimburse them. But if you receive care at an out-of-network clinic, it doesn’t matter what reason; you will be responsible for the entire bill if you don’t have other insurance to cover you. 

If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. Reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling or texting 988, and you’ll be connected to trained counselors.

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How To Get Reimbursement for Emergency Medical Care

Reimbursement for Emergency Medical Care

Service-Connected Emergency Care

The VA will pay for emergency care at a non-VA medical center for a veteran’s service-connected condition, or if the care is related to a service-connected condition, as long as the VA was not reasonably available to provide the care. According to the VA, a veteran is eligible to receive a reimbursement under these circumstances if they are:

• “A veteran who receives emergency treatment of a service-connected, or adjunct condition in a community emergency department; or
• A veteran who is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected condition is eligible for emergency room treat of any condition; or
• A veteran who is participating in a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program and who requires emergency treatment to expedite their return to the program, is eligible for emergency treatment for any condition; and
• The emergency was of such a nature that the veteran would reasonably believe that any delay in seeking immediate medical attention would cause their life or health to be placed in jeopardy.”

To qualify a veteran can meet any of the first three scenarios as long as the fourth specification is met.

Non-Service-Connected Emergency Care

The VA can also provide reimbursement for emergency medical care for non-service-connected medical conditions if a veteran’s situation meets all of the following elements:

• Care was provided in a hospital emergency department; and
• The emergency was of such a nature that the veteran would reasonably believe that any delay in seeking immediate medical attention would cause their life or health to be placed in jeopardy; and
• A VA medical facility was not reasonably available to provide the care; and
• The veteran is enrolled and has received care within a VA facility during the prior 24 months; and
• The veteran is financially liable to the provider of emergency treatment.

It is important to note that the VA cannot pay copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, or similar payments required by a veteran’s other, non-VA health insurance.

Deadlines for Reimbursement

After receiving emergency medical care the veteran or a family member must contact the nearest VA medical facility within 72 hours of the treatment so that the VA can begin to assist in determining a veteran’s eligibility.

In order to receive reimbursement for emergency medical care, veterans must file a claim. The deadlines for filing such claims depend on whether the care was for a service-connected or non-service-connected condition.

• Service-Connected. Veteran has two years from the date the medical care received to file a claim for reimbursement.
• Non-Service-Connected. Veteran has 90 days from the date of discharge from the health care facility to file for reimbursement,

Getting Reimbursed

Once a veteran has filed for reimbursement, the claim will be reviewed to determine if the veteran is eligible to receive payment from the VA. If a veteran meets the criteria, then the treatment documentation will be reviewed by VA clinical staff to ensure the treatment was necessary. From there, reimbursement will take place.

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I Ended Up In The ER During A Vacation In Spain. Here’s What Shocked Me The Most.

On assignment for HuffPost

My family had just arrived at a seaside village on the east coast of Spain, where I was sitting on a white sand beach looking out at the implausibly blue water. The scene was straight out of a Mediterranean daydream, and yet I was panicking.

My head was throbbing and had been since I’d slammed it into the bottom of a metal hotel safe a few days earlier. The pain and pressure had been keeping me up at night, along with the anxiety that came from Googling my symptoms. I’d tried every kind of medication I could find, but nothing could ease the pounding in my skull.

After returning to our Airbnb, my husband urged me to make a telehealth appointment through our international health insurance. (As an American family living in France for the year, we were required to purchase this as part of our visa application.) A few minutes later, I described my symptoms to a Spanish doctor via chat using Google Translate. Hearing how long the pain had persisted, he advised me to see a doctor to rule out a brain injury.

I frantically researched doctor’s offices nearby, but the remote region had limited options, and I wasn’t even sure how or where to secure an appointment. So, instead, we decided to go to the nearest emergency room.

Leaving our son with his grandparents, my husband drove us to a small city about 35 minutes inland. As we pulled into the hospital’s parking deck and then walked toward the front desk, I was struck by how similar it looked to hospitals in the U.S. My husband, thankfully fluent in Spanish, took the lead as we checked in, but the receptionist switched to English when she realized that I didn’t speak Spanish.

The receptionist asked for proof of our public healthcare coverage, but I explained that I have private international travel healthcare coverage — essentially expat insurance. She apologized, explaining that I would have to pay out of pocket for the ER visit and then request reimbursement from our insurance company since I hadn’t secured prior approval for the hospital visit.

I braced myself, thinking back to past experiences in American hospitals: The ER visit for chest pains that came with a $2,500 surprise bill a few months later. The breast biopsy, where I was forced to pay nearly $3,000 for the privilege of finding out whether or not the lump in my breast was cancerous. Of course, all of these charges were on top of the $12,000 insurance premium my family paid annually.

Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long to find out what we’d be paying. The receptionist explained that there was a 200€ flat fee for ER visits, pointing to a poster beside her desk that listed the hospital’s costs in clear detail. She noted that if I needed additional tests or procedures, the total could increase. I released the breath I’d been holding, handing over my passport as insurance I would pay at the end of my visit.

“I released the breath I’d been holding, handing over my passport as insurance that I would pay at the end of my visit.”

Inside the hospital, things progressed as expected. We sat in a sterile room in uncomfortable plastic chairs with dozens of other uncomfortable-looking people. I briefly spoke with a hospital worker (in English), who assessed the severity of my situation and added me to the queue. I waited close to two hours before my name was called, and a young doctor led me into a room that looked like every American hospital room I’d ever been in — besides the fact that the posters on the wall were in Catalan.

He took my vitals, asked about my symptoms (in English, with a bit of translating from my husband for clarity), and said he was going to order a CT scan just to be safe. We waited another hour for the scan, which was conducted using an ultra-modern machine by two efficient female techs.

Shortly afterward, the doctor returned to share my results: No brain damage. He suspected that my headaches were being exacerbated by the anxiety and tension I had developed as a result of the injury, and he handed me a prescription for a common Spanish painkiller. He instructed me to return if my symptoms worsened or didn’t clear up.

Checking out at the front desk, I braced myself for the grand total, knowing from bitter experience that a CT scan can cost thousands of dollars in the U.S. I was pleasantly surprised when the receptionist told me that the final tally for my ER visit was 729€. After I paid, she handed me a disc with a copy of my CT scan for my records. She also gave me the documentation I needed to provide to my insurance company for reimbursement.

Walking back to our car, I was overwhelmed with relief — both that I didn’t have a brain injury and that we didn’t have to pay thousands of dollars to confirm that I was going to be OK. Although an unexpected 729€ bill is indeed a hardship for most people (myself included!), I was comforted by knowing that it would be reimbursed and that it wasn’t as much as it could have been back in the States.

I also felt sad and frustrated thinking about the extreme shortcomings of our healthcare system in the U.S. — how even a basic doctor’s visit comes with the worry of not knowing how much you’ll have to pay to get the care you need. Far too often, Americans must choose between prioritizing their health or financial stability.

The cost of an emergency room visit can vary greatly depending on the location; the average bill can easily be over $2,000 without insurance. Even with insurance, the numbers can be astronomical for the average American family. If critical care is required or surgery is performed, those costs could skyrocket to $20,000 or more.

It’s no surprise, then, that recent polls found that 40% of Americans carry some healthcare debt, despite more than 90% of the U.S. population having health insurance.

How do you prepare for an emergency before going abroad (and what to do if it happens to you)?

If you, like me, are an American with hospital bill-related anxiety, it’s a good idea to do some research on your destination before traveling abroad. Find out what type of facilities are available at your destination, if travel insurance is recommended there, and how to contact emergency services should the need arise.

Additionally, Johns Hopkins Medicine advises that you know your blood type before you go abroad, carry documentation of any pre-existing conditions and medications, and fill out the information card in your passport with details like your address and phone number.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting in touch with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for help locating medical services, as well as enrolling in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before going abroad. Consuls can also help you transfer funds from loved ones back home if you need them to pay for medical services.

You can also check out the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers’ directory of healthcare professionals around the world.

Accidents and emergencies can happen anywhere, anytime, and you should always have a game plan ready to go. And whatever you do, don’t delay care if you suspect the problem is serious. The outcome could be catastrophic.

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VA's Electronic Health Records System May Require Lots of New Staff. The Cost Worries Lawmakers.

The introduction of the Oracle Cerner electronic health records system at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, Illinois, has lawmakers questioning the future of the program at the Department of Veterans Affairs .

According to VA officials, the rollout in March was "promising overall," with no critical patient safety incidents.

But the deployment needed the support of nearly 200 new staff members and 800 temporary workers, including experienced users from military treatment facilities, contractors and experts, raising concerns about cost and viability, said members of the House Veterans Affairs Technology Modernization Subcommittee on Monday.

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The full rollout of the new medical records system, used now at six VA medical centers, has been on hold since April 2023 over concerns for patient safety, a lack of user-friendliness and pharmacy components. Its introduction at Lovell, a joint facility operated by the VA and Defense Department, was to serve as a test bed for resuming the deployment VA-wide next year.

But given the effort and resources needed to ensure a smooth rollout at Lovell, lawmakers are wondering whether the VA can sustain that level of attention at future sites.

Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., said that if the manpower isn't available, "the result could be a disaster."

"Their ability to work around the problem is commendable, but make no mistake, despite all the spin, the problems have not disappeared," Rosendale said during a hearing on the modernization effort.

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida, the subcommittee's ranking Democrat, also expressed dismay at the amount of manpower needed for the transition and the impact on the VA's budget.

"The need for facilities to hire more people to do the same task will limit their ability to fill other vacancies. This could have a disastrous effect on veterans' access to VA health care and would lead to further expansion of community care," Cherfilus-McCormick said.

The VA awarded a $10 billion contract, later revised to $16.1 billion, to Cerner in May 2018 for an electronic medical record system that would work seamlessly with the system purchased by the Defense Department in 2015, ensuring that service members and veterans would have a single digital record for most of their lives.

The Oracle Cerner system known as MHS Genesis is used at roughly 50 Defense Department military treatment facilities worldwide while the VA's version, Millennium, is in use at medical centers and affiliated clinics in the Pacific Northwest and Ohio.

In April 2023, the VA paused further deployments of the system for a "reset," following reports of patient harm caused by the system and an IG report that found a technical construct caused 149 patients to lose referrals in the system for additional or specialty care.

A decision was made for the VA to work with Oracle, which purchased Cerner in 2021, to improve operations, streamline the system and test it at Lovell, which also was the last DoD site to receive the system.

According to VA Secretary Denis McDonough, the Lovell rollout was an integral step in resuming the program in fiscal 2025.

"We're committed to this. We see this as in the veterans' interest," McDonough said during a hearing on the VA's fiscal 2025 budget in April.

During the hearing, Dr. Neil Evans, acting program executive director of VA's Electronic Health Record Modernization Integration Office, said the deployment at Lovell went well. According to Evans, the facility was able to maintain full use of its emergency room and inpatient capacity and, while it saw a 50% decrease in outpatient appointments and care, it is now operating at 80%.

"The leadership and staff at Lovell ... should be commended for their success. They've demonstrated tenacity and a continuous commitment to successfully adopting the new electronic health record to care for the veterans, Navy recruits, DoD beneficiaries and others who are served by their organization," Evans said.

Still, lawmakers have concerns about the cost of the project, which Oracle maintains will not exceed $16 billion but doesn't include many incidentals such as the increased manpower needed to adopt it and provide continued training for users.

A 2022 Institute for Defense Analyses report estimated that costs could exceed $50 billion over the program's lifetime.

Evans said that, while the $16 billion did not include the sustainment costs of the program over time, he "didn't know where the number $50 billion comes from." He added that, once the VA has a deployment schedule, it can provide Congress with a revised cost estimate.

"We agree that a life-cycle cost estimate is critical for this program," Evans said. "One of the things that we've said is that, as part of this reset, as we move toward restart and a new deployment schedule, that we would deliver a revised life-cycle cost estimate."

Related: A VA Medical Center in Colorado Paused Heart Surgeries for 13 Months. Its Leaders Didn't Tell Higher-Ups.

Patricia Kime

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After-hours earnings report for july 25, 2024 : ajg, nsc, dlr, lhx, dxcm, bkr, hig, eix, wy, deck, pfg, cinf.

July 25, 2024 — 02:00 pm EDT

Written by NASDAQ.com  ->

The following companies are expected to report earnings after hours on 07/25/2024. Visit our Earnings Calendar for a full list of expected earnings releases. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. ( AJG )is reporting for the quarter ending June 30, 2024. The insurance brokers company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 8 analysts that follow the stock is $2.24. This value represents a 17.89% increase compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year AJG has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 1st calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 2.65%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2024 Price to Earnings ratio for AJG is 27.16 vs. an industry ratio of 21.50, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry. Norfolk Southern Corporation ( NSC )is reporting for the quarter ending June 30, 2024. The transportation (rail) company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 8 analysts that follow the stock is $2.85. This value represents a 3.39% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2024 Price to Earnings ratio for NSC is 19.05 vs. an industry ratio of 17.30, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry. Digital Realty Trust, Inc. ( DLR )is reporting for the quarter ending June 30, 2024. The reit company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 9 analysts that follow the stock is $1.63. This value represents a 2.98% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. DLR missed the consensus earnings per share in the 4th calendar quarter of 2023 by -0.61%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2024 Price to Earnings ratio for DLR is 22.87 vs. an industry ratio of 12.80, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry. L3Harris Technologies, Inc. ( LHX )is reporting for the quarter ending June 30, 2024. The aerospace and defense company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 8 analysts that follow the stock is $3.18. This value represents a 7.07% increase compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year LHX has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 1st calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 5.88%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2024 Price to Earnings ratio for LHX is 18.26 vs. an industry ratio of 5.40, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry. DexCom, Inc. ( DXCM )is reporting for the quarter ending June 30, 2024. The medical instruments company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 10 analysts that follow the stock is $0.39. This value represents a 14.71% increase compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year DXCM has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 1st calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 18.52%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2024 Price to Earnings ratio for DXCM is 62.89 vs. an industry ratio of 1.50, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry. Baker Hughes Company ( BKR )is reporting for the quarter ending June 30, 2024. The oil (field services) company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 11 analysts that follow the stock is $0.49. This value represents a 25.64% increase compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year BKR has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 1st calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 7.5%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2024 Price to Earnings ratio for BKR is 16.70 vs. an industry ratio of 9.90, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry. Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. ( HIG )is reporting for the quarter ending June 30, 2024. The insurance company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 10 analysts that follow the stock is $2.26. This value represents a 20.21% increase compared to the same quarter last year. HIG missed the consensus earnings per share in the 1st calendar quarter of 2024 by -3.7%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2024 Price to Earnings ratio for HIG is 10.37 vs. an industry ratio of 16.00. Edison International ( EIX )is reporting for the quarter ending June 30, 2024. The electric power utilities company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 4 analysts that follow the stock is $1.05. This value represents a 3.96% increase compared to the same quarter last year. EIX missed the consensus earnings per share in the 3rd calendar quarter of 2023 by -5.48%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2024 Price to Earnings ratio for EIX is 15.46 vs. an industry ratio of 13.20, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry. Weyerhaeuser Company ( WY )is reporting for the quarter ending June 30, 2024. The building company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 5 analysts that follow the stock is $0.22. This value represents a 31.25% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year WY has met analyst expectations once and beat the expectations the other three quarters. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2024 Price to Earnings ratio for WY is 37.81 vs. an industry ratio of 28.50, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry. Deckers Outdoor Corporation ( DECK )is reporting for the quarter ending June 30, 2024. The retail (shoe) company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 10 analysts that follow the stock is $3.59. This value represents a 48.96% increase compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year DECK has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 1st calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 75.53%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2025 Price to Earnings ratio for DECK is 27.46 vs. an industry ratio of -3.10, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry. Principal Financial Group Inc ( PFG )is reporting for the quarter ending June 30, 2024. The finance/investment management company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 7 analysts that follow the stock is $1.87. This value represents a 22.22% increase compared to the same quarter last year. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2024 Price to Earnings ratio for PFG is 11.27 vs. an industry ratio of 12.30. Cincinnati Financial Corporation ( CINF )is reporting for the quarter ending June 30, 2024. The insurance (property & casualty) company's consensus earnings per share forecast from the 11 analysts that follow the stock is $0.97. This value represents a 19.83% decrease compared to the same quarter last year. In the past year CINF has beat the expectations every quarter. The highest one was in the 1st calendar quarter where they beat the consensus by 1.78%. Zacks Investment Research reports that the 2024 Price to Earnings ratio for CINF is 19.27 vs. an industry ratio of 15.20, implying that they will have a higher earnings growth than their competitors in the same industry.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

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Average mortgage rates today

How are mortgage rates determined, average mortgage rate trends, average rate by credit score.

• Impact on homebuyers

How to get the best mortgage rate

Mortgage rate outlook, average mortgage interest rates: mortgage rates by credit score, year, and loan type.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate mortgages to write unbiased product reviews.

Interest rates for the most popular 30-year fixed mortgage averaged around 6.58% in June 2024, according to Zillow data. Rates for 15-year mortgages, which are also relatively popular, were 5.94%. Rates have been trending lower this month.

The average monthly mortgage payment is currently $2,883 for a 30-year fixed mortgage, based on recent home price and mortgage rate data.

Mortgage rates are always changing, and there are a lot of factors that can sway your interest rate. Some of them are personal factors you have control over and some aren't.

Most experts believe that mortgage rates will go down in 2024 , though it may take a while for affordability to noticeably improve.

See how mortgage rates are trending today.

While average mortgage and refinance rates can give you an idea of where rates are currently at, remember that they're never a guarantee of the rate a lender will offer you. Mortgage interest rates vary by borrower, based on factors like your credit, loan type, and down payment.

To get the best rate for you, you'll want to get quotes from multiple lenders.

Multiple factors affect the interest rate you'll pay on a mortgage. Some are outside of your control. Others you can influence.

Individual factors influencing mortgage rates

Key determining factors that you do have control over include:

• Your credit score
• Debt-to-income ratio
• The amount of your down payment
• The type of mortgage you get
• The length of your term

Role of the economy and government policies

No matter how good your finances are, you won't be able to get a rate that's dramatically lower than average. Rates are determined in large part by economic trends and how those trends affect investor demand for mortgage-backed securities.

When there's a lot of economic growth, mortgage rates typically go up. In recent years, high inflation has pushed mortgage rates up. When growth is cooler, rates often go down.

Federal Reserve policy can also influence mortgage rates. When the Fed raises or lowers the federal funds rate, mortgage rates can move up or down as well based on how investors believe Fed changes will impact the broader economy.

Comparison with previous years

Here's how the average mortgage interest rate has changed over time, according to  data from Freddie Mac .

Throughout 2020, the average mortgage rate fell drastically due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirty-year fixed mortgage rates hit a historic low of 2.65% in January 2021, according to Freddie Mac. Rates began to rise again in 2022.

Most major forecasts expect rates to start dropping throughout the next few years, and they could ultimately end up somewhere in the 5% range.

Mortgage rates by state

Rates can vary depending on where you live. Check the latest rates in your state at the links below. 

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington, DC West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Rates by type of mortgage

Purchase mortgage

The rates you'll get on a mortgage used to purchase a home are often better than what you'll be quoted for a refinance. They differ by the loan's length in years, and whether the interest rate is fixed or adjustable. Two of the most popular types include:

• 30-year mortgage rates : The most popular type of mortgage, this home loan makes for low monthly payments by spreading the amount over 30 years. 
• 15-year mortgage rates : Interest rates and payments won't change on this type of loan, but it has higher monthly payments since payments are spread over 15 years. However, it comes with lower rates than a 30-year loan.

Mortgage refinance

Mortgage refinance rates typically differ somewhat from purchase rates, and may be slightly higher — particularly if you're getting a cash-out refinance, since these are considered riskier.

If you're considering a refinance, be sure to shop around with the best mortgage refinance lenders and get multiple rate quotes to be sure you're getting the best deal.

• 30-year mortgage refinance rates :  Refinancing into a 30-year term can lower your monthly payment since you're spreading out what you owe over a longer period of time.
• 15-year mortgage refinance rates :  Refinancing into a shorter term like a 15-year mortgage will increase your monthly payment, but help you save on interest.

Home equity line of credit (HELOC) and home equity loans

HELOC rates and home equity loan rates are generally a little higher than rates on first mortgages, but they can still be worth it if you're looking to tap into your home's equity without having to take on a new rate on your main mortgage.

As with other types of mortgages, you'll want to shop around and get multiple rate quotes to find the best HELOC lenders or home equity loan lenders.

Data from credit scoring company FICO shows that the lower your credit score, the more you'll pay for credit. Here's the average interest rate by credit level for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage of $300,000, as of July 2024:

According to FICO, only people with credit scores above 660 will truly see interest rates around the national average.

Impact of mortgage rates on homebuyers

How rates affect affordability and buying power.

Snagging a lower rate can enable you to borrow more money, boosting your homebuying power. 

For example, say you can afford to spend $2,000 per month on your mortgage payment (not including taxes and insurance). With a rate of 7%, you could borrow around $300,000. But with a 4% rate, you could afford to borrow as much as $400,000.

Strategies for buying in varying rate environments

If you're buying when rates are high, you'll need to adjust your homebuying plans accordingly. You might need to lower your price range or make a larger down payment to achieve an affordable monthly payment.

You should also be careful about overspending in a low rate environment. Though you may be able to borrow a larger amount with a low rate, make sure you aren't stretching your budget too far. You don't necessarily need to borrow the full amount the mortgage lender approves you for.

Tips for locking in the best rates

One of the best ways to score a good rate is to get approved with two or three different lenders and compare the rates they offer you.

If you're having trouble getting a good rate, you might want to work on improving your credit or saving for a larger down payment and reapply later. 

The importance of credit scores and down payments

Your credit score can greatly affect the price you'll pay to borrow a mortgage.

See Insider's picks for the best mortgage lenders »

The higher your score is, the less you'll pay to borrow money. Generally, 620 is the minimum credit score needed to buy a house , with some exceptions for government-backed loans. 

Mortgage rates are expected to trend down eventually, but they likely won't recede until inflation decelerates further.

Fannie Mae and the Mortgage Bankers Association predict that 30-year rates will end the year at 6.7% and 6.6%, respectively.

Average mortgage rates FAQs

Mortgage rates are influenced by economic trends and investor demand for mortgage-backed securities. 

In June 2024, 30-year mortgage rates averaged 6.58%. Rates have been slightly lower in recent weeks.

Average mortgage rates nearly reached 8% in October of 2023, but they've since come down a bit. However, rates can vary a lot depending on your finances. If you have a lower credit score, you could still get a rate that's in or near the 8% range. Rates are expected to decrease this year, so we may not see average rates reach 8%. 

If you're planning to buy a house, you might not want to or be able to wait until rates drop. There can be benefits to buying when rates are high. You can often get a better deal on a home, since you won't be up against as much competition.

The better your credit score, the better the rate you'll get on your mortgage. To access the best mortgage interest rates, aim to have a credit score at least in the 700s.

Mortgage rates are similar to where they were a year ago.

To get a lower rate, you'll want to have a great credit score, a large down payment, and a low debt-to-income ratio.

Mortgage interest rates are expected to fall soon, but when and how much depends on the path of inflation; if price growth continues to slow, rates should fall in the coming months. 

• Mortgages and mortgage lenders
• Home equity
• The housing market
• The economy and the forces that impact mortgage rates
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