FWIW – the VA regularly bills other insurance providers, even before this proposed change. My father in law, a purple heart decorated WWII vet, has Medicare and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. He gets his services from the VA. The VA social worker explained that basically, they bill the other insurers and the VA picks up what the other’s don’t cover… And since he’s in a wheel chair and has some neuro issues, he gets a lot of services – with zero out of pocket between the three coverages (medicare, blue cross, VA). His disability is considered to be 10% service related – that’s enough for the VA to be involved.
I am VERY impressed with the VA here in San Diego. It used to have a terrible rep, but they’ve turned it around.