17.121—Limitations on payment or reimbursement of the costs of emergency hospital care and medical services not previously authorized.
Claims for payment or reimbursement of the costs of emergency hospital care or medical services not previously authorized will not be approved for any period beyond the date on which the medical emergency ended. For the purpose of payment or reimbursement of the expense of emergency hospital care or medical services not previously authorized, an emergency shall be deemed to have ended at that point when a VA physician has determined that, based on sound medical judgment, a veteran:
(a)
Who received emergency hospital care could have been transferred from the non-VA facility to a VA medical center for continuation of treatment for the disability, or
(b)
Who received emergency medical services, could have reported to a VA medical center for continuation of treatment for the disability.
From that point on, no additional care in a non-VA facility will be approved for payment by VA.