Question:
Will the VA pay for random court ordered blood draws for drugs & alcohol? My husband got a DUI and cannot urinate on command,so has to be tested by blood draws.
Jim's Reply:
A 'shy bladder' isn't at all unusual during surprise 'on demand' drug screens and the court will often require a blood draw be randomly taken at a contracted agency. I'm not aware of any circumstance that would compel VA to pay for any other agency to conduct a random drug screen. I'm not sure of the requirements for his drug screen, but he might ask the court if he would be allowed to have his local VA facility do a drug screen on a random basis? Although I've not heard of this being done, it may be simple to arrange with his VA primary provider leaving an open test order for the lab exam. VA is routinely substance- screening almost everyone during every lab visit, so this shouldn't be a burden to VA. Before he pays an outside agency, check with the VA lab and primary care provider.