The Victim Compensation Program is the payer of last resort
The Victim Compensation Program (VCP) is considered the payer of last resort and can only pay treatment expenses after other available sources of payment have been applied to a bill. Those sources include, but are not limited to, health insurance, workers compensation insurance, automobile insurance, Medi-cal, and Medicare.
Contact Our Customer Service Section Regarding the Status of Billing and Payments
Victim service providers provide invaluable service to crime victims, helping them recover from the physical and emotional trauma of violent crime. The VCP's Customer Service Section is dedicated to providing service providers with the information and assistance they need. Call a representative toll-free at (800) 777-9229.
Service providers can also use the Application/Bill Status Online Request Form to request the status of applications or bills that have been submitted to the Victim Compensation Program. You may also download and fax the PDF Form  version.
Provider Ombudsman
Any healthcare provider that has questions about serving victims of crime, payments or other issues, please contact our Provider Ombudsman, Robin Foemmel Bie at (916) 491-3759 or by e-mail at Robin.FoemmelBie@vcgcb.ca.gov.
The Board cannot pay expenses more than three years old
Under most circumstances, the Board cannot pay a bill that is more than three years old. If you are considering submitting an expense that is more than three years old, contact the Customer Service Unit at (800) 777-9229 for more information.
The Board cannot reimburse felons
The Board cannot reimburse anyone who has committed a felony for any expense he or she incurs during any time of incarceration, parole or probation for the felony.
Maximum Amount for Victim Compensation Program Benefits
The maximum reimbursement per claim, including dental, medical and mental health treatment expenses, is $70,000.*
* For applications submitted prior to 1/1/03, and with crime dates prior to 1/1/01, the claim maximum is $46,000. For applications submitted prior to 1/1/03, and with crime dates on or after 1/1/01, the claim maximum is $70,000. For applications submitted on or after 1/1/03, regardless of the crime date, the claim maximum is $70,000. Certain individual benefits have individual limits.
Payment in full
The Board typically applies a fee schedule when paying medical expenses. A provider who cashes a warrant for payment from the Victim Compensation Program for a service accepts the Board's rates as payment in full and cannot bill a claimant any more for that service. Government Code § 13957.2(a)
Each warrant sent to a provider has a notice printed on it that explains this statutory provision. If you receive a warrant and disagree with the amount of payment, please follow the instructions printed on the warrant or call the Customer Service Unit at (800) 777-9229 for more information before you cash the warrant.
However, if the Board is paying a reduced rate because treatment is only partly related to the crime, the patient is liable for the amount of the bill deemed not related to the crime. For example, when counseling is only 50 percent related to the qualifying crime and 50 percent due to other life circumstances, the Board can only pay 50 percent of the cost of treatment. This percentage is paid at the Board approved rates. In this case, the patient is responsible for the other 50% of the bill.
|
