VA charges a co-payment for each prescription provided on an outpatient basis for medical conditions not connected to military service. Presently, the co-payment is $8 for up to a 30-day supply of medication, $16 for a 31- to 60-day supply and $24 for a 61- to 90-day supply. This is often a significant savings over most private prescription insurance plans.

Why does VA require a co-payment? By law, VA must charge veterans a co-payment for their outpatient prescriptions. The yearly co-payment cap for most veterans is $960. After veterans reach this amount, they continue to receive medications without having to make further co-payments. Prescription co-payments for priority group 7 veterans have no cap.

The co-payment also applies to medications that don't require a prescription outside VA. Nonprescription, or over-the-counter (OTC), medications may be available at the local pharmacy, drugstore or supermarket at a cost lower than the co-payment. OTC medications include aspirin; antacids; analgesics; cough syrup; creams, lotions and ointments; fiber; laxatives; eye-care products; laxatives and stool softeners; suppositories; vitamins; and other medical products.

VA is prohibited by law to refund co-payments after medications are dispensed. So be sure to review all prescriptions with a VA pharmacist to avoid paying more than necessary. Often, veterans already have an ample supply of medication and don't need any more, or a less expensive OTC option is available.