Medical and Other Service Providers
The Office of Victim Services (OVS) Victim Compensation Program has a
long and proud history of helping victims of violent crimes and
their family members recover from the financial impact of the crime.
Financial help includes paying for the crime-related
medical, mental health, dental, funeral, and other bills and
expenses that are not covered or eligible to be covered by
collateral sources, such as:
- Health insurance;
- Dental insurance;
- Department of Social Services;
- Medicare;
- Auto insurance; and
- Workers’ Compensation.
The information on this Website
will help you understand how you may work with crime victims to receive
payment for the crime-related services you provide to them. For
more information on Victim Compensation Program benefits, eligibility
requirements, and how victims may file an application, please click on the
Compensation tab.
Victim
Compensation Program staff are available Monday-Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
to answer any questions. Please call 1‑888‑286‑7347 (toll-free,
nationwide) or email
OVSCompensation@jud.ct.gov.
See categorized information below:
Crime-Related Expenses [+]
(Click to expand or collapse)
Crime-related expenses that may be eligible for payment are expenses that occurred as
a direct result of the crime, including pre-existing condition(s) or
injury(ies) that were aggravated by the criminal incident.
Medically necessary items that were lost, stolen, or damaged or are now
needed because of the crime may also be considered. Providers must
hold a current license and have on file with the Victim Compensation Program an
updated
Form W-9 - Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification
and an
SB-26NB – Agency Vendor Form to receive payment.
Victim Compensation may not exceed $15,000 for a personal injury claim and
$25,000 for a survivor benefit claim regardless of the number of
claimants, and $2,000 for mental health care per child who witnessed
domestic violence and is not related to the victim.
Dental / Oral Health Care [+]
- Crowns
- Denture/bridge repair, replacement, or new
- Examinations
- Oral surgery
- Prescriptions
- Teeth repair or replacement
- TMJ disorders
- X-rays
Funeral and Burial (maximum benefit $5,000) [+]
- Burial/cremation
- Funeral services
- Headstone
- Marker
- Plot
* The person who paid some or all of the funeral expenses must complete
certain Sections on the Survivor Benefits application. Please see the
example.
Medical Care [+]
Medical professionals must hold a current state license. Professionals may include:
- Advanced practice registered nurse
- Dental practitioner
- Optometrist
- Physician
- Podiatrist
- Surgeon
- Ambulance transportation
- Anesthesia
- Chiropractic
- Examinations
- Hospitalization
- Inpatient and outpatient treatment
- Lab work
- Medical equipment, such as crutches, wheelchair
- Medical necessary items, such as eye glasses/contact lenses, hearing aids, prosthetics, and supplies
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Prescriptions
- Radiology
- Surgery, including cosmetic and plastic
- Specialists, such as Otolaryngologists, Ophthalmologists
Mental Health Care [+]
Mental health professionals must hold a current state license. Professionals may include:
- Alcohol and drug counselor
- Licensed social worker
- Marriage and family therapist
- Master of social work
- Psychiatrist
- Psychologist
- *Family psychotherapy
- *Group psychotherapy therapy
- Individual psychotherapy
- Prescriptions
Other services may be prescribed by a licensed medical or mental health professional:
- Art therapy
- Gym membership
- Horse assisted therapy
- Music therapy
- Personal trainer
- Summer camp
- Tutoring
* The Victim Compensation Program may not consider payment for any therapy sessions in which the offender(s) participated.
Itemized Bill(s) Required [+]
All bills must be itemized and include the following information:
- Business name, address, and telephone number
- Federal tax identification number (FEIN or SSN)
- Provider’s license number
- Patient’s name and address
- Date(s) of service
- Type(s) of service(s) provided (diagnosis and procedure)
- Billed amount
- Billing date
- Amounts paid and by whom (collateral source, patient, other)
The Victim Compensation Program must consider any court ordered restitution (unless otherwise directed by the court), lawsuit awards/settlements, and insurance settlements that the claimant received or will receive when ordering compensation.
Collateral Sources [+]
The Victim Compensation Program is the final payer and by state law may only pay
for treatment/services that are not covered or eligible to be covered by
a collateral source(s). The collateral source(s) must be billed
before submitting expenses to the Victim Compensation Program for payment.
If the expense is not covered or partially covered, submit your billing
with a copy of the explanation of benefits. Bills that were denied
by the collateral source because of untimely filing will not be
considered. Collateral sources include:
If you are not contracted with the patient’s insurance company and the patient has
out-of-network benefits, the insurance company must be billed first
before the Victim Compensation Program may consider the expense(s).
- Accident insurance
- Auto insurance
- Department of Social Services
- Disability insurance
- Medicare
- Fraternal/union benefits
- Life insurance with disability rider
- Primary health insurance
- Secondary health insurance
- Court restitution
- Social Security
- Workers’ Compensation
The Victim Compensation Program must consider any court ordered restitution (unless otherwise directed by the court), lawsuit awards/settlements, and insurance settlements that the claimant received or will receive when ordering compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions [+]
1. How can I help victims file for victim compensation?
Victim compensation is an important financial resource for victims and other eligible persons who have been
financially impacted by violent crime. The first step is having the
victim(s) file an application with us, which can be found on our
Victim Compensation Program page. Please also consider not sending a victim’s
bills to collections until a decision has been made on his or her victim
compensation application as the Victim Compensation Program may be able to pay any
balance owed to you if the claim is found eligible.
2. What information and/or documentation does the Victim Compensation Program request from providers?
The Victim Compensation Program requires an itemized bill, insurance explanation of
benefits, if applicable, medical records, reports, or a treatment plan
depending on the type of service provided. Your billing department
will also be requested to verbally verify any balance owed and the payments
that were made and by whom.
3. Will I be notified if the claim is denied?
Yes, if your business was listed on the claimant’s application or if the
claimant submitted your bills for payment, you will receive a letter stating
that the claim did not meet eligibility requirements; however, you will not
receive any information related to why the claim was denied.
4. Will I be paid directly for treatment/services provided?
The Victim Compensation Program will pay
providers directly for any balances owed. If the claimant has attorney
representation on his or her victim compensation claim, payments will be sent
directly to the attorney for disbursement. You will receive a letter
directing you to contact the attorney for questions related to receiving
payment. Please be aware that the attorney is allowed by state law to
be reimbursed up to 15% of the funds awarded by the Victim Compensation Program.
5. How long will it take to receive payment?
If payment is being made directly to
your business by the Victim Compensation Program and not an attorney representing
the claimant, you will receive a check from the State of Connecticut
Comptroller’s Office in approximately 4 to 6 weeks from the date the
Victim Compensation Program receives the signed Claim of Compensation from the claimant.
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