The VA contracts are just as bad. When I got my “fuck kids, never again” operation I was sent into community care. Part is the pre-op was a physical scheduled by the treating hospital at a local clinic.
I got billed for the pre-op physical and VA’s contractor refused to pay. This was when they switched contracts and a ton of vets got fucked by it. They came at me because my “insurer“ refused to pay. I hadn’t had that insurance company in over 10yrs. Finally I just said fuck it and sent the bill to the insurance company I have coverage through, and paid the $30 copay. Just wanted it to go away and VA was flat refusing to pay their bills.