Pilot program of enhanced contract care authority for health care needs of veterans in highly rural areas

(a)

In general

Section 1703 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(e) (1)The Secretary shall conduct a pilot program which permits highly rural veterans— (A)who are enrolled in the system of patient enrollment established under section 1705(a) of this title, and (B)who reside within Veterans Integrated Service Network 1, 15, 18, and 19,

to elect to receive covered health services for which such veterans are eligible through a non-Department health-care provider.

(2)The election under paragraph (1) shall be made by submitting an application to the Secretary in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary prescribes. The Secretary shall authorize such services to be furnished to the veteran pursuant to contracting with such a provider to furnish such services to such veteran. (3)For purposes of this subsection, a highly rural veteran is one who— (A)resides in a location that is— (i)more than 60 miles driving distance from the nearest Department health-care facility providing primary care services, if the veteran is seeking such services; (ii)more than 120 miles driving distance from the nearest Department health-care facility providing acute hospital care, if the veteran is seeking such care; or (iii)more than 240 miles driving distance from the nearest Department health-care facility providing tertiary care, if the veteran is seeking such care; or (B)in the case of a veteran who resides in a location less than the distance indicated in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (A), as applicable, experiences such hardship or other difficulties in travel to the nearest appropriate Department health-care facility that such travel is not in the best interest of the veteran, as determined by the Secretary pursuant to regulations prescribed for purposes of this subsection. (4)For purposes of this subsection, a covered health service is any hospital care, medical service, rehabilitative service, or preventative health service authorized to be provided by the Secretary under this chapter or any other provision of law. (5)For purposes of this subsection, a health-care provider is any qualified entity or individual furnishing a covered health service. (6)In meeting the requirements of this subsection, the Secretary shall develop the functional capability to provide for the exchange of medical information between the Department and non-Department health-care providers. (7)This subsection shall apply to covered health services provided during the 3-year period beginning on the 120th day after the date of the enactment of this subsection. (8)Not later than the 30th day after the close of each year of the period described in paragraph (7), the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committees of Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report which includes— (A)the Secretary's assessment of the program under this subsection, including its cost, volume, quality, patient satisfaction, benefit to veterans, and any other findings and conclusions of the Secretary with respect to such program, and (B)any recommendations that the Secretary may have for— (i)continuing the program, (ii)extending the program to other or all service regions of the Department, and (iii)making the program permanent.

(b)

Effective date

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall implement the amendment made by subsection (a) not later than the 120th day after the date of the enactment of this Act.