[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2646 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






114th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2646

To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Veterans Choice 
 Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve health care 
    provided to veterans by the Department, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 7, 2016

Mr. Burr (for himself, Mr. Hoeven, Mr. Tillis, Ms. Ayotte, Mr. Daines, 
 Mr. Boozman, and Mr. Moran) introduced the following bill; which was 
     read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Veterans Choice 
 Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve health care 
    provided to veterans by the Department, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Choice 
Improvement Act of 2016''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                    TITLE I--VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM

Sec. 101. Establishment of Veterans Choice Program.
Sec. 102. Funding for Veterans Choice Program.
Sec. 103. Payment of health care providers under Veterans Choice 
                            Program.
Sec. 104. Termination of certain provisions authorizing care to 
                            veterans through non-Department of Veterans 
                            Affairs providers.
              TITLE II--HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

Sec. 201. Authorization of agreements between the Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs and non-Department 
                            providers.
Sec. 202. Reimbursement of certain entities for emergency medical 
                            transportation.
Sec. 203. Requirement that Department of Veterans Affairs collect 
                            health-plan contract information from 
                            veterans.
Sec. 204. Requirement for advance appropriations for the Veterans 
                            Choice Program account of the Department of 
                            Veterans Affairs.
Sec. 205. Reauthorization of pilot program of enhanced contract care 
                            authority for health care needs of 
                            veterans.
                   TITLE III--OTHER VETERANS MATTERS

Sec. 301. Timeframe for payment of disability compensation for victims 
                            of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, 
                            North Carolina, when the Secretary of 
                            Veterans Affairs establishes a presumption 
                            of service connection.

                    TITLE I--VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM

SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment of Program.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, 
        United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1703 
        the following new section:
``Sec. 1703A. Veterans Choice Program
    ``(a) Program.--
            ``(1) Furnishing of care.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Hospital care and medical 
                services under this chapter shall be furnished to an 
                eligible veteran described in subsection (b), at the 
                election of such veteran, through contracts authorized 
                under subsection (d), or any other law administered by 
                the Secretary, with entities specified in subparagraph 
                (B) for the furnishing of such care and services to 
                veterans. The furnishing of hospital care and medical 
                services under this section may be referred to as the 
                `Veterans Choice Program'.
                    ``(B) Entities specified.--The entities specified 
                in this subparagraph are the following:
                            ``(i) Any health care provider that is 
                        participating in the Medicare program under 
                        title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 
                        U.S.C. 1395 et seq.), including any physician 
                        furnishing services under such program.
                            ``(ii) Any Federally-qualified health 
                        center (as defined in section 1905(l)(2)(B) of 
                        the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
                        1396d(l)(2)(B))).
                            ``(iii) The Department of Defense.
                            ``(iv) The Indian Health Service.
                            ``(v) Any health care provider not 
                        otherwise covered under any of clauses (i) 
                        through (iv) that meets criteria established by 
                        the Secretary for purposes of this section.
            ``(2) Choice of provider.--An eligible veteran who makes an 
        election under subsection (c) to receive hospital care or 
        medical services under this section may select a provider of 
        such care or services from among the entities specified in 
        paragraph (1)(B) that are accessible to the veteran.
            ``(3) Coordination of care and services.--The Secretary 
        shall coordinate, through the Non-VA Care Coordination Program 
        of the Department, the furnishing of care and services under 
        this section to eligible veterans, including by ensuring that 
        an eligible veteran receives an appointment for such care and 
        services within the wait-time goals of the Veterans Health 
        Administration for the furnishing of hospital care and medical 
        services.
    ``(b) Eligible Veterans.--A veteran is an eligible veteran for 
purposes of this section if--
            ``(1) the veteran is enrolled in the patient enrollment 
        system of the Department established and operated under section 
        1705 of this title; and
            ``(2)(A) the veteran is unable to schedule an appointment 
        for the receipt of hospital care or medical services from a 
        health care provider of the Department within the lesser of--
                    ``(i) the wait-time goals of the Veterans Health 
                Administration for such care or services; or
                    ``(ii) a period determined by a health care 
                provider of the Department to be clinically necessary 
                for the receipt of such care or services;
            ``(B) the veteran does not reside within 40 miles driving 
        distance from a medical facility of the Department, including a 
        community-based outpatient clinic, with a full-time primary 
        care physician;
            ``(C) the veteran--
                    ``(i) resides in a State without a medical facility 
                of the Department that provides--
                            ``(I) hospital care;
                            ``(II) emergency medical services; and
                            ``(III) surgical care rated by the 
                        Secretary as having a surgical complexity of 
                        standard; and
                    ``(ii) does not reside within 20 miles driving 
                distance from a medical facility of the Department 
                described in clause (i);
            ``(D) the veteran faces an unusual or excessive burden in 
        accessing hospital care or medical services from a medical 
        facility of the Department that is within 40 miles driving 
        distance from the residence of the veteran due to--
                    ``(i) geographical challenges;
                    ``(ii) environmental factors, such as roads that 
                are not accessible to the general public, traffic, or 
                hazardous weather;
                    ``(iii) a medical condition of the veteran that 
                affects the ability to travel; or
                    ``(iv) such other factors as determined by the 
                Secretary;
            ``(E) the veteran resides in a location, other than a 
        location in Guam, American Samoa, or the Republic of the 
        Philippines, that requires the veteran to travel by air, boat, 
        or ferry to reach a medical facility of the Department, 
        including a community-based outpatient clinic;
            ``(F) the veteran is enrolled in the pilot program under 
        section 403 of the Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care 
        Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-387; 38 U.S.C. 1703 
        note) as of the date of the enactment of the Veterans Choice 
        Improvement Act of 2016; or
            ``(G) there is a compelling reason, as determined by the 
        Secretary, that the veteran needs to receive hospital care or 
        medical services from a medical facility other than a medical 
        facility of the Department.
    ``(c) Election and Authorization.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of an eligible veteran 
        described in subsection (b)(2)(A), the Secretary shall, at the 
        election of the veteran--
                    ``(A) provide the veteran an appointment that 
                exceeds the wait-time goals described in such 
                subsection or place such veteran on an electronic 
                waiting list described in paragraph (2) for an 
                appointment for hospital care or medical services the 
                veteran has elected to receive under this section; or
                    ``(B)(i) authorize that such care or services be 
                furnished to the eligible veteran under this section; 
                and
                    ``(ii) notify the eligible veteran by the most 
                effective means available, including electronic 
                communication or notification in writing, describing 
                the care or services the eligible veteran is eligible 
                to receive under this section.
            ``(2) Electronic waiting list.--The electronic waiting list 
        described in this paragraph shall be maintained by the 
        Department and allow access by each eligible veteran via 
        www.myhealth.va.gov or any successor website (or other digital 
        channel) for the following purposes:
                    ``(A) To determine the place of such eligible 
                veteran on the waiting list.
                    ``(B) To determine the average length of time an 
                individual spends on the waiting list, disaggregated by 
                medical facility of the Department and type of care or 
                service needed, for purposes of allowing such eligible 
                veteran to make an informed election under paragraph 
                (1).
    ``(d) Care and Services Through Contracts.--
            ``(1) Contracts.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall enter into 
                contracts for furnishing care and services to eligible 
                veterans under this section with entities specified in 
                subsection (a)(1)(B).
                    ``(B) Other processes.--Before entering into a 
                contract under this paragraph, the Secretary shall, to 
                the maximum extent practicable and consistent with the 
                requirements of this section, furnish such care and 
                services to such veterans under this section with such 
                entities pursuant to sharing agreements, existing 
                contracts entered into by the Secretary, or other 
                processes available at medical facilities of the 
                Department.
                    ``(C) Treatment of contracts.--A contract entered 
                into under this paragraph may not be treated as a 
                Federal contract for the acquisition of goods or 
                services and is not subject to any provision of law 
                governing Federal contracts for the acquisition of 
                goods or services.
                    ``(D) Contract defined.--In this paragraph, the 
                term `contract' has the meaning given that term in 
                subpart 2.101 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
            ``(2) Rates and reimbursement.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In entering into a contract 
                under paragraph (1) with an entity specified in 
                subsection (a)(1)(B), the Secretary shall--
                            ``(i) negotiate rates for the furnishing of 
                        care and services under this section; and
                            ``(ii) reimburse the entity for such care 
                        and services at the rates negotiated under 
                        clause (i) as provided in such contract.
                    ``(B) Limit on rates.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in 
                        clause (ii), rates negotiated under 
                        subparagraph (A)(i) shall not be more than the 
                        rates paid by the United States to a provider 
                        of services (as defined in section 1861(u) of 
                        the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(u))) 
                        or a supplier (as defined in section 1861(d) of 
                        such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(d))) under the 
                        Medicare program under title XVIII of the 
                        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) 
                        for the same care or services.
                            ``(ii) Exceptions.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--The Secretary 
                                may negotiate a rate that is more than 
                                the rate paid by the United States as 
                                described in clause (i) with respect to 
                                the furnishing of care or services 
                                under this section to an eligible 
                                veteran who resides in a highly rural 
                                area.
                                    ``(II) Other exceptions.--
                                            ``(aa) Alaska.--With 
                                        respect to furnishing care or 
                                        services under this section in 
                                        Alaska, the Alaska Fee Schedule 
                                        of the Department of Veterans 
                                        Affairs will be followed, 
                                        except for when another payment 
                                        agreement, including a contract 
                                        or provider agreement, is in 
                                        place.
                                            ``(bb) Other states.--With 
                                        respect to care or services 
                                        furnished under this section in 
                                        a State with an All-Payer Model 
                                        Agreement in effect under 
                                        section 1814 of the Social 
                                        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395f), 
                                        the Medicare payment rates 
                                        under clause (i) shall be 
                                        calculated based on the payment 
                                        rates under such agreement.
                                    ``(III) Highly rural area 
                                defined.--In this clause, the term 
                                `highly rural area' means an area 
                                located in a county that has fewer than 
                                seven individuals residing in that 
                                county per square mile.
                    ``(C) Limit on collection.--For the furnishing of 
                care or services pursuant to a contract under paragraph 
                (1), an entity specified in subsection (a)(1)(B) may 
                not collect any amount that is greater than the rate 
                negotiated pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i).
    ``(e) Veterans Choice Card.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of receiving care and 
        services under this section, the Secretary shall issue to each 
        veteran described in subsection (b)(1) a card that may be 
        presented to a health care provider to facilitate the receipt 
        of care or services under this section.
            ``(2) Name of card.--Each card issued under paragraph (1) 
        shall be known as a `Veterans Choice Card'.
            ``(3) Details of card.--Each Veterans Choice Card issued to 
        a veteran under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
                    ``(A) The name of the veteran.
                    ``(B) An identification number for the veteran that 
                is not the social security number of the veteran.
                    ``(C) The contact information of an appropriate 
                office of the Department for health care providers to 
                confirm that care or services under this section are 
                authorized for the veteran.
                    ``(D) Contact information and other relevant 
                information for the submittal of claims or bills for 
                the furnishing of care or services under this section.
                    ``(E) The following statement: `This card is for 
                qualifying medical care outside the Department of 
                Veterans Affairs. Please call the Department of 
                Veterans Affairs phone number specified on this card to 
                ensure that treatment has been authorized.'.
            ``(4) Information on use of card.--Upon issuing a Veterans 
        Choice Card to a veteran, the Secretary shall provide the 
        veteran with information clearly stating the circumstances 
        under which the veteran may be eligible for care or services 
        under this section.
    ``(f) Information on Availability of Care.--The Secretary shall 
provide information to a veteran about the availability of care and 
services under this section in the following circumstances:
            ``(1) When the veteran enrolls in the patient enrollment 
        system of the Department established and operated under section 
        1705 of this title.
            ``(2) When the veteran attempts to schedule an appointment 
        for the receipt of hospital care or medical services from the 
        Department but is unable to schedule an appointment within the 
        wait-time goals of the Veterans Health Administration for the 
        furnishing of such care or services.
            ``(3) When the veteran becomes eligible for hospital care 
        or medical services under this section under subparagraph (B), 
        (C), (D), (E), (F), or (G) of subsection (b)(2).
    ``(g) Follow-Up Care.--The Secretary shall ensure that, at the 
election of an eligible veteran who receives hospital care or medical 
services from a health care provider in an episode of care under this 
section, the veteran receives such care or services from that health 
care provider or another health care provider selected by the veteran, 
including a health care provider of the Department, through the 
completion of the episode of care, including all specialty and 
ancillary services deemed necessary as part of the treatment 
recommended in the course of such care or services.
    ``(h) Providers.--To be eligible to furnish care or services under 
this section, a health care provider must--
            ``(1) maintain at least the same or similar credentials and 
        licenses as those credentials and licenses that are required of 
        health care providers of the Department, as determined by the 
        Secretary for purposes of this section; and
            ``(2) submit, not less frequently than annually, 
        verification of such licenses and credentials maintained by 
        such health care provider.
    ``(i) Cost-Sharing.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require an eligible 
        veteran to pay a copayment for the receipt of care or services 
        under this section only if such eligible veteran would be 
        required to pay a copayment for the receipt of such care or 
        services at a medical facility of the Department or from a 
        health care provider of the Department under this chapter.
            ``(2) Limitation.--The amount of a copayment charged under 
        paragraph (1) may not exceed the amount of the copayment that 
        would be payable by such eligible veteran for the receipt of 
        such care or services at a medical facility of the Department 
        or from a health care provider of the Department under this 
        chapter.
    ``(j) Claims Processing System.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide for an 
        efficient nationwide system for prompt processing and paying of 
        bills or claims for authorized care and services furnished to 
        eligible veterans under this section.
            ``(2) Oversight.--The Chief Business Office of the Veterans 
        Health Administration shall oversee the implementation and 
        maintenance of such system.
            ``(3) Accuracy of payment.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
                such system meets such goals for accuracy of payment as 
                the Secretary shall specify for purposes of this 
                section.
                    ``(B) Quarterly report.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall 
                        submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of 
                        the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' 
                        Affairs of the House of Representatives a 
                        quarterly report on the accuracy of such 
                        system.
                            ``(ii) Elements.--Each report required by 
                        clause (i) shall include the following:
                                    ``(I) A description of the goals 
                                for accuracy for such system specified 
                                by the Secretary under subparagraph 
                                (A).
                                    ``(II) An assessment of the success 
                                of the Department in meeting such goals 
                                during the quarter covered by the 
                                report.
                            ``(iii) Deadline.--The Secretary shall 
                        submit each report required by clause (i) not 
                        later than 20 days after the end of the quarter 
                        covered by the report.
    ``(k) Medical Records.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that any 
        health care provider that furnishes care or services under this 
        section to an eligible veteran submits to the Department a copy 
        of any medical record related to the care or services provided 
        to such veteran by such health care provider for inclusion in 
        the electronic medical record of such veteran maintained by the 
        Department upon the completion of the provision of such care or 
        services to such veteran.
            ``(2) Electronic format.--Any medical record submitted to 
        the Department under paragraph (1) shall, to the extent 
        possible, be in an electronic format.
    ``(l) Records Not Required for Reimbursement.--With respect to care 
or services furnished to an eligible veteran by a health care provider 
under this section, the receipt by the Department of a medical record 
under subsection (k) detailing such care or services is not required 
before reimbursing the health care provider for such care or services.
    ``(m) Tracking of Missed Appointments.--The Secretary shall 
implement a mechanism to track any missed appointments for care or 
services under this section by eligible veterans to ensure that the 
Department does not pay for such care or services that were not 
furnished to an eligible veteran.
    ``(n) Rules of Construction.--
            ``(1) Prescription medications.--Nothing in this section 
        shall be construed to alter the process of the Department for 
        filling and paying for prescription medications.
            ``(2) Tiered network.--Nothing in this section shall be 
        construed to authorize the creation of a tiered network in 
        which an eligible veteran would be required to receive care or 
        services from an entity in a higher tier than any other entity 
        or provider network.
    ``(o) Wait-Time Goals of the Veterans Health Administration.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), in 
        this section, the term `wait-time goals of the Veterans Health 
        Administration' means not more than 30 days from the date on 
        which a veteran requests an appointment for hospital care or 
        medical services from the Department.
            ``(2) Alternate goals.--If the Secretary submits to 
        Congress, not later than 180 days after the date of the 
        enactment of the Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016, a 
        report stating that the actual wait-time goals of the Veterans 
        Health Administration are different from the wait-time goals 
        specified in paragraph (1)--
                    ``(A) for purposes of this section, the wait-time 
                goals of the Veterans Health Administration shall be 
                the wait-time goals submitted by the Secretary under 
                this paragraph; and
                    ``(B) the Secretary shall publish such wait-time 
                goals in the Federal Register and on an Internet 
                website of the Department available to the public.
    ``(p) Waiver of Certain Printing Requirements.--Section 501 of 
title 44 shall not apply in carrying out this section.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to section 1703 the following new item:

``1703A. Veterans Choice Program.''.
            (3) Conforming repeal.--
                    (A) In general.--Section 101 of the Veterans 
                Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public 
                Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is repealed.
                    (B) Conforming amendment.--Section 208(1) of such 
                Act is amended by striking ``section 101'' and 
                inserting ``section 1703A of title 38, United States 
                Code''.
            (4) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
        submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and 
        the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
        Representatives a report on the furnishing of care and services 
        under section 1703A of title 38, United States Code, as added 
        by paragraph (1), that includes the following:
                    (A) The total number of veterans who have received 
                care or services under this section, disaggregated by--
                            (i) eligible veterans described in 
                        subsection (b)(2)(A) of such section;
                            (ii) eligible veterans described in 
                        subsection (b)(2)(B) of such section;
                            (iii) eligible veterans described in 
                        subsection (b)(2)(C) of such section;
                            (iv) eligible veterans described in 
                        subsection (b)(2)(D) of such section;
                            (v) eligible veterans described in 
                        subsection (b)(2)(E) of such section;
                            (vi) eligible veterans described in 
                        subsection (b)(2)(F) of such section; and
                            (vii) eligible veterans described in 
                        subsection (b)(2)(G) of such section.
                    (B) A description of the types of care and services 
                furnished to veterans under such section.
                    (C) An accounting of the total cost of furnishing 
                care and services to veterans under such section.
                    (D) The results of a survey of veterans who have 
                received care or services under such section on the 
                satisfaction of such veterans with the care or services 
                received by such veterans under such section.
                    (E) An assessment of the effect of furnishing care 
                and services under such section on wait times for 
                appointments for the receipt of hospital care and 
                medical services from the Department of Veterans 
                Affairs.
    (b) Consolidation of Services.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than December 31, 2017, the 
        Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consolidate the following 
        programs, contracts, and agreements of the Department of 
        Veterans Affairs:
                    (A) The Patient-Centered Community Care program 
                (commonly referred to as ``PC3'').
                    (B) Contracts to provide kidney dialysis services.
                    (C) Contracts through the retail pharmacy network 
                of the Department.
                    (D) Veterans Care Agreements under section 1703C of 
                title 38, United States Code, as added by section 
                201(a).
                    (E) Health care agreements with Federal entities or 
                entities funded by the Federal Government, including 
                the Department of Defense, the Indian Health Service, 
                tribal health programs, Federally-qualified health 
                centers (as defined in section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the 
                Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)(2)(B))), and 
                academic teaching affiliates.
            (2) Classification of services.--Services provided under 
        the programs, contracts, and agreements consolidated under 
        paragraph (1) shall be considered services provided under the 
        Veterans Choice Program established under section 1703A of 
        title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1).
            (3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall 
        be construed to authorize the creation of a tiered network in 
        which an entity or entities would be placed in a higher tier 
        than any other entity or provider network.

SEC. 102. FUNDING FOR VETERANS CHOICE PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--All amounts required to carry out the Veterans 
Choice Program shall be derived from the appropriations account 
established in section 4003 of the Surface Transportation and Veterans 
Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-41; 38 
U.S.C. 1701 note).
    (b) Transfer of Amounts.--
            (1) In general.--All amounts in the Veterans Choice Fund 
        under section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and 
        Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 
        note) shall be transferred to the appropriations account 
        established in section 4003 of the Surface Transportation and 
        Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015 (Public Law 
        114-41; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note).
            (2) Conforming repeal.--
                    (A) In general.--Section 802 of the Veterans 
                Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public 
                Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is repealed.
                    (B) Conforming amendment.--Section 4003 of the 
                Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice 
                Improvement Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-41; 38 U.S.C. 
                1701 note) is amended by striking ``to be comprised 
                of'' and all that follows and inserting ``to be 
                comprised of discretionary medical services funding 
                that is designated for hospital care and medical 
                services furnished at non-Department facilities''.
    (c) Obligation of Funds.--Without regard to the requirements of 
sections 1501 and 1341(a)(1) of title 31, United States Code, the 
Secretary may record obligations under the Veteran Choice Program if 
the amount of the obligation is certain in order for the Department to 
avoid large deobligation amounts after the funds have expired.
    (d) Streamlined Funding.--
            (1) Provision of funds.--The Chief Business Office of the 
        Veterans Health Administration may provide funds for a fiscal 
        year to medical centers of the Department, if requested by the 
        medical center, for costs relating to furnishing non-Department 
        care under the Veterans Choice Program, including 
        administrative costs associated with the management and 
        accounting of such funds, and may adjust such funding if 
        appropriate.
            (2) Submittal of funding requests by medical centers.--
        Medical centers of the Department may submit funding requests 
        to the Chief Business Office for costs described in 
        subparagraph (A).
            (3) Use of funds.--Funds provided under subparagraph (A) 
        may be used only for the costs specified in such subparagraph 
        and are not eligible to be reprogrammed for any other purpose.
    (e) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
        shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report 
        that includes the following:
                    (A) The amount of funds required to carry out the 
                Veterans Choice Program for fiscal year 2017.
                    (B) The number of veterans, disaggregated by fiscal 
                year, who received health care services under the 
                programs, contracts, and agreements that make up the 
                Veterans Choice Program during the period beginning on 
                October 1, 2011, and ending on September 30, 2015.
                    (C) An evaluation of whether the accounting 
                processes of the Department are sufficient to properly 
                account for expenditures from a consolidated 
                appropriations account under paragraph (1), including 
                an identification of each known deficiency and 
                potential deficiency of such processes.
                    (D) For each deficiency identified under clause 
                (iii), a detailed plan to remedy the deficiency and an 
                assessment of whether the Department has adequate 
                resources to remedy the deficiency.
                    (E) For each deficiency identified under clause 
                (iii) that requires new or improved information 
                technology to remedy, an evaluation of whether there is 
                commercially available technology that may be suitable 
                to remedy the deficiency.
                    (F) A cost estimate for remedying each deficiency 
                identified under clause (iii).
            (2) Appropriate committees of congress defined.--In this 
        paragraph, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
        means--
                    (A) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the 
                Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and
                    (B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the 
                Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
                Representatives.
    (f) Veterans Choice Program Defined.--In this subsection, the term 
``Veterans Choice Program'' means--
            (1) the program under section 1703A of title 38, United 
        States Code, as added by section 101(a)(1); and
            (2) the programs, contracts, and agreements of the 
        Department consolidated under section 101(b).

SEC. 103. PAYMENT OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS UNDER VETERANS CHOICE 
              PROGRAM.

    (a) Payment of Providers.--
            (1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, 
        United States Code, as amended by section 101(a)(1), is further 
        amended by inserting after section 1703A the following new 
        section:
``Sec. 1703B. Veterans Choice Program: payment of health care providers
    ``(a) Prompt Payment Compliance.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
payments made to health care providers under the Veterans Choice 
Program comply with chapter 39 of title 31 (commonly referred to as the 
`Prompt Payment Act') and the requirements of this section. If there is 
a conflict between the requirements of the Prompt Payment Act and the 
requirements of this section, the Secretary shall comply with the 
requirements of this section.
    ``(b) Payment Schedule.--(1) The Secretary shall reimburse a health 
care provider for care or services furnished under the Veterans Choice 
Program--
            ``(A) in the case of a clean claim submitted to the 
        Secretary electronically, not later than 30 days after 
        receiving the claim; or
            ``(B) in the case of a clean claim submitted to the 
        Secretary in a manner other than electronically, not later than 
        45 days after receiving the claim.
    ``(2)(A) If the Secretary determines that a claim received from a 
health care provider for care or services furnished under the Veterans 
Choice Program is a non-clean claim, the Secretary shall submit to the 
provider, not later than 10 days after receiving the claim--
            ``(i) a notification that the claim is a non-clean claim;
            ``(ii) an explanation of why the claim has been determined 
        to be a non-clean claim; and
            ``(iii) an identification of the information or 
        documentation that is required to make the claim a clean claim.
    ``(B) If the Secretary does not comply with the requirements of 
subparagraph (A) with respect to a claim, the claim shall be deemed a 
clean claim for purposes of paragraph (1).
    ``(3) Upon receipt by the Secretary of information or documentation 
described in subparagraph (A)(iii) with respect to a claim, the 
Secretary shall reimburse a health care provider for care or services 
furnished under the Veterans Choice Program--
            ``(A) in the case of a claim submitted to the Secretary 
        electronically, not later than 30 days after receiving such 
        information or documentation; or
            ``(B) in the case of claim submitted to the Secretary in a 
        manner other than electronically, not later than 45 days after 
        receiving such information or documentation.
    ``(4) If the Secretary fails to comply with the deadlines for 
payment set forth in this subsection with respect to a claim, interest 
shall accrue on the amount owed under such claim in accordance with 
section 3902 of title 31, United States Code.
    ``(c) Information and Documentation Required.--(1) The Secretary 
shall provide to all health care providers participating in the 
Veterans Choice Program a list of information and documentation that is 
required to establish a clean claim under this section.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall consult with entities in the health care 
industry, in the public and private sector, to determine the 
information and documentation to include in the list under paragraph 
(1).
    ``(3) If the Secretary modifies the information and documentation 
included in the list under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall notify 
all health care providers participating in the Veterans Choice Program 
not later than 30 days before such modifications take effect.
    ``(d) Electronic Claim Submittal.--On and after January 1, 2019, 
the Secretary shall not accept any claim under this section that is 
submitted to the Secretary in a manner other than electronically.
    ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `clean claim' means a claim for 
        reimbursement for care or services furnished under the Veterans 
        Choice Program, on a nationally recognized standard format, 
        that includes the information and documentation necessary to 
        adjudicate the claim.
            ``(2) The term `non-clean claim' means a claim for 
        reimbursement for care or services furnished under the Veterans 
        Choice Program, on a nationally recognized standard format, 
        that does not include the information and documentation 
        necessary to adjudicate the claim.
            ``(3) The term `Veterans Choice Program' means--
                    ``(A) the program under section 1703A of this 
                title; and
                    ``(B) the programs, contracts, and agreements of 
                the Department consolidated under section 101(b) of the 
                Veterans Choice Improvement Act of 2016.''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 17 of such title, as amended by section 
        101(a)(2), is further amended by inserting after the item 
        related to section 1703A the following new item:

``1703B. Veterans Choice Program: payment of health care providers.''.
    (b) Electronic Submittal of Claims for Reimbursement.--
            (1) Prohibition on acceptance of non-electronic claims.--
                    (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
                (B), on and after January 1, 2019, the Secretary of 
                Veterans Affairs shall not accept any claim for 
                reimbursement under section 1703B of title 38, United 
                States Code, as added by subsection (a), that is 
                submitted to the Secretary in a manner other than 
                electronically, including medical records in connection 
                with such a claim.
                    (B) Exception.--If the Secretary determines that 
                accepting claims and medical records in a manner other 
                than electronically is necessary for the timely 
                processing of claims for reimbursement under such 
                section 1703B due to a failure or malfunction of the 
                electronic interface established under paragraph (2), 
                the Secretary--
                            (i) may accept claims and medical records 
                        in a manner other than electronically for a 
                        period not to exceed 90 days; and
                            (ii) shall submit to the Committee on 
                        Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the 
                        Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
                        Representatives a report setting forth--
                                    (I) the reason for accepting claims 
                                and medical records in a manner other 
                                than electronically;
                                    (II) the duration of time that the 
                                Department of Veterans Affairs will 
                                accept claims and medical records in a 
                                manner other than electronically; and
                                    (III) the steps that the Department 
                                is taking to resolve such failure or 
                                malfunction.
            (2) Electronic interface.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than January 1, 2019, 
                the Chief Information Officer of the Department of 
                Veterans Affairs shall establish an electronic 
                interface for health care providers to submit claims 
                for reimbursement under such section 1703B.
                    (B) Functions.--The electronic interface 
                established under subparagraph (A) shall include the 
                following functions:
                            (i) A function through which a health care 
                        provider may input all relevant data required 
                        for claims submittal and reimbursement.
                            (ii) A function through which a health care 
                        provider may upload medical records to 
                        accompany a claim for reimbursement.
                            (iii) A function through which a health 
                        care provider may ascertain the status of a 
                        pending claim for reimbursement that--
                                    (I) indicates whether the claim is 
                                a clean claim or a non-clean claim; and
                                    (II) in the event that a submitted 
                                claim is indicated as a non-clean 
                                claim, provides--
                                            (aa) an explanation of why 
                                        the claim has been determined 
                                        to be a non-clean claim; and
                                            (bb) an identification of 
                                        the information or 
                                        documentation that is required 
                                        to make the claim a clean 
                                        claim.
                            (iv) A function through which a health care 
                        provider is notified when a claim for 
                        reimbursement is accepted or rejected.
                            (v) Such other features as the Secretary 
                        considers necessary.
                    (C) Protection of information.--
                            (i) In general.--The electronic interface 
                        established under subparagraph (A) shall be 
                        developed and implemented based on industry-
                        accepted information security and privacy 
                        engineering principles and best practices and 
                        shall provide for the following:
                                    (I) The elicitation, analysis, and 
                                prioritization of functional and 
                                nonfunctional information security and 
                                privacy requirements for such 
                                interface, including specific security 
                                and privacy services and architectural 
                                requirements relating to security and 
                                privacy based on a thorough analysis of 
                                all reasonably anticipated cyber and 
                                noncyber threats to the security and 
                                privacy of electronic protected health 
                                information made available through such 
                                interface.
                                    (II) The elicitation, analysis, and 
                                prioritization of secure development 
                                requirements relating to such 
                                interface.
                                    (III) The assurance that the 
                                prioritized information security and 
                                privacy requirements of such 
                                interface--
                                            (aa) are correctly 
                                        implemented in the design and 
                                        implementation of such 
                                        interface throughout the system 
                                        development lifecycle; and
                                            (bb) satisfy the 
                                        information objectives of such 
                                        interface relating to security 
                                        and privacy throughout the 
                                        system development lifecycle.
                            (ii) Definitions.--In this subparagraph:
                                    (I) Electronic protected health 
                                information.--The term ``electronic 
                                protected health information'' has the 
                                meaning given that term in section 
                                160.103 of title 45, Code of Federal 
                                Regulations, as in effect on the date 
                                of the enactment of this Act.
                                    (II) Secure development 
                                requirements.--The term ``secure 
                                development requirements'' means, with 
                                respect to the electronic interface 
                                established under subparagraph (A), 
                                activities that are required to be 
                                completed during the system development 
                                lifecycle of such interface, such as 
                                secure coding principles and test 
                                methodologies.
            (3) Analysis of available technology for electronic 
        interface.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than January 1, 2017, or 
                before entering into a contract to procure or design 
                and build the electronic interface described in 
                paragraph (2) or making a decision to internally design 
                and build such electronic interface, whichever occurs 
                first, the Secretary shall--
                            (i) conduct an analysis of commercially 
                        available technology that may satisfy the 
                        requirements of such electronic interface set 
                        forth in such paragraph; and
                            (ii) submit to the Committee on Veterans' 
                        Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on 
                        Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
                        Representatives a report setting forth such 
                        analysis.
                    (B) Elements.--The report required under 
                subparagraph (A)(ii) shall include the following:
                            (i) An evaluation of commercially available 
                        systems that may satisfy the requirements of 
                        paragraph (2).
                            (ii) The estimated cost of procuring a 
                        commercially available system if a suitable 
                        commercially available system exists.
                            (iii) If no suitable commercially available 
                        system exists, an assessment of the feasibility 
                        of modifying a commercially available system to 
                        meet the requirements of paragraph (2), 
                        including the estimated cost associated with 
                        such modifications.
                            (iv) If no suitable commercially available 
                        system exists and modifying a commercially 
                        available system is not feasible, an assessment 
                        of the estimated cost and time that would be 
                        required to contract with a commercial entity 
                        to design and build an electronic interface 
                        that meets the requirements of paragraph (2).
                            (v) If the Secretary determines that the 
                        Department has the capabilities required to 
                        design and build an electronic interface that 
                        meets the requirements of paragraph (2), an 
                        assessment of the estimated cost and time that 
                        would be required to design and build such 
                        electronic interface.
                            (vi) A description of the decision of the 
                        Secretary regarding how the Department plans to 
                        establish the electronic interface required 
                        under paragraph (2) and the justification of 
                        the Secretary for such decision.
            (4) Limitation on use of amounts.--The Secretary may not 
        spend any amounts to procure or design and build the electronic 
        interface described in paragraph (2) until the date that is 60 
        days after the date on which the Secretary submits the report 
        required under paragraph (3)(A)(iii).

SEC. 104. TERMINATION OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS AUTHORIZING CARE TO 
              VETERANS THROUGH NON-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 
              PROVIDERS.

    (a) Termination of Authority To Contract for Care in Non-Department 
Facilities.--
            (1) In general.--Section 1703 of title 38, United States 
        Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
        subsection:
    ``(e) The authority of the Secretary under this section terminates 
on December 31, 2017.''.
            (2) Conforming amendments.--
                    (A) In general.--
                            (i) Dental care.--Section 1712(a) of such 
                        title is amended--
                                    (I) in paragraph (3), by striking 
                                ``under clause (1), (2), or (5) of 
                                section 1703(a) of this title'' and 
                                inserting ``under the Veterans Choice 
                                Program (as defined in section 1703B(e) 
                                of this title)''; and
                                    (II) in paragraph (4)(A), in the 
                                first sentence--
                                            (aa) by striking ``and 
                                        section 1703 of this title'' 
                                        and inserting ``and the 
                                        Veterans Choice Program (as 
                                        defined in section 1703B(e) of 
                                        this title)''; and
                                            (bb) by striking ``in 
                                        section 1703 of this title'' 
                                        and inserting ``under the 
                                        Veterans Choice Program''.
                            (ii) Readjustment counseling.--Section 
                        1712A(e)(1) of such title is amended by 
                        striking ``(under sections 1703(a)(2) and 
                        1710(a)(1)(B) of this title)'' and inserting 
                        ``(under the Veterans Choice Program (as 
                        defined in section 1703B(e) of this title) and 
                        section 1710(a)(1)(B) of this title)''.
                            (iii) Death in department facility.--
                        Section 2303(a)(2)(B)(i) of such title is 
                        amended by striking ``in accordance with 
                        section 1703'' and inserting ``under the 
                        Veterans Choice Program (as defined in section 
                        1703B(e) of this title)''.
                            (iv) Medicare provider agreements.--Section 
                        1866(a)(1)(L) of the Social Security Act (42 
                        U.S.C. 1395cc(a)(1)(L)) is amended--
                                    (I) by striking ``under section 
                                1703 of title 38'' and inserting 
                                ``under the Veterans Choice Program (as 
                                defined in section 1703B(e) of title 
                                38, United States Code)''; and
                                    (II) by striking ``such section'' 
                                and inserting ``such program''.
                    (B) Effective date.--The amendments made by 
                subparagraph (A) shall take effect on January 1, 2018.
    (b) Repeal of Authority To Contract for Scarce Medical 
Specialists.--
            (1) In general.--Section 7409 of such title is repealed.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the 
        beginning of chapter 74 of such title is amended by striking 
        the item relating to section 7409.

              TITLE II--HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

SEC. 201. AUTHORIZATION OF AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF 
              VETERANS AFFAIRS AND NON-DEPARTMENT PROVIDERS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, United 
States Code, as amended by section 103(a)(1), is further amended by 
inserting after section 1703B the following new section:
``Sec. 1703C. Veterans Care Agreements
    ``(a) Agreements To Furnish Care.--(1) In addition to the authority 
of the Secretary under this chapter to furnish hospital care, medical 
services, and extended care at facilities of the Department and under 
contracts or sharing agreements entered into under authorities other 
than this section, the Secretary may furnish hospital care, medical 
services, and extended care through the use of agreements entered into 
under this section. An agreement entered into under this section may be 
referred to as a `Veterans Care Agreement'.
    ``(2)(A) The Secretary may enter into agreements under this section 
with eligible providers that are certified under subsection (d) if the 
Secretary is not feasibly able to furnish care or services described in 
paragraph (1) at facilities of the Department.
    ``(B) The Secretary is not feasibly able to furnish care or 
services described in paragraph (1) at facilities of the Department if 
the Secretary determines that the medical condition of the veteran, the 
travel involved, the nature of the care or services required, or a 
combination of those factors make the use of facilities of the 
Department impracticable or inadvisable.
    ``(3) An eligible provider, at its discretion, may opt to enter 
into an agreement under this section instead of a contract or sharing 
agreement under authorities other than this section.
    ``(b) Receipt of Care.--(1) Eligibility of a veteran under this 
section for care or services described in paragraph (1) shall be 
determined as if such care or services were furnished in a facility of 
the Department and provisions of this title applicable to veterans 
receiving such care or services in a facility of the Department shall 
apply to veterans receiving such care or services under this section.
    ``(2) In carrying out this section, the Secretary--
            ``(A) may not direct veterans seeking care or services 
        described in paragraph (1) to health care providers that have 
        entered into contracts or sharing agreements under authorities 
        other than this section; and
            ``(B) shall ensure that veterans have the option to 
        determine whether to receive such care or services from a 
        health care provider described in subparagraph (A) or an 
        eligible provider that has entered into an agreement under this 
        section.
    ``(c) Eligible Providers.--For purposes of this section, an 
eligible provider is one of the following:
            ``(1) A provider of services that has enrolled and entered 
        into a provider agreement under section 1866(a) of the Social 
        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(a)).
            ``(2) A physician or supplier that has enrolled and entered 
        into a participation agreement under section 1842(h) of such 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1395u(h)).
            ``(3) A provider of items and services receiving payment 
        under a State plan under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 
        et seq.) or a waiver of such a plan.
            ``(4) A health care provider that is--
                    ``(A) an Aging and Disability Resource Center, an 
                area agency on aging, or a State agency (as defined in 
                section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 
                U.S.C. 3002)); or
                    ``(B) a center for independent living (as defined 
                in section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 
                U.S.C. 796a)).
            ``(5) A provider that is located in--
                    ``(A) an area that is designated as a health 
                professional shortage area (as defined in section 332 
                of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254e)); or
                    ``(B) a county that is not in a metropolitan 
                statistical area.
            ``(6) Such other health care providers as the Secretary 
        considers appropriate for purposes of this section.
    ``(d) Certification of Eligible Providers.--(1) The Secretary shall 
establish a process for the certification of eligible providers under 
this section that shall, at a minimum, set forth the following:
            ``(A) Procedures for the submittal of applications for 
        certification and deadlines for actions taken by the Secretary 
        with respect to such applications.
            ``(B) Standards and procedures for approval and denial of 
        certification, duration of certification, revocation of 
        certification, and recertification.
            ``(C) Procedures for assessing eligible providers based on 
        the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse of such providers similar 
        to the level of screening under section 1866(j)(2)(B) of the 
        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395cc(j)(2)(B)) and the 
        standards set forth under section 9.104 of title 48, Code of 
        Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall deny or revoke certification to an 
eligible provider under this subsection if the Secretary determines 
that the eligible provider is currently--
            ``(A) excluded from participation in a Federal health care 
        program (as defined in section 1128B(f) of the Social Security 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(f))) under section 1128 or 1128A of the 
        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7 and 1320a-7a); or
            ``(B) identified as an excluded source on the list 
        maintained in the System for Award Management, or any successor 
        system.
    ``(e) Terms of Agreements.--Each agreement entered into with an 
eligible provider under this section shall include provisions requiring 
the eligible provider to do the following:
            ``(1) To accept payment for care or services furnished 
        under this section at rates established by the Secretary for 
        purposes of this section, which shall be, to the extent 
        practicable, the rates paid by the United States for such care 
        or services to providers of services and suppliers under the 
        Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act 
        (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.).
            ``(2) To accept payment under paragraph (1) as payment in 
        full for care or services furnished under this section and to 
        not seek any payment for such care or services from the 
        recipient of such care or services.
            ``(3) To furnish under this section only the care or 
        services authorized by the Department under this section unless 
        the eligible provider receives prior written consent from the 
        Department to furnish care or services outside the scope of 
        such authorization.
            ``(4) To bill the Department for care or services furnished 
        under this section in accordance with a methodology established 
        by the Secretary for purposes of this section.
            ``(5) Not to seek to recover or collect from a health-plan 
        contract or third party, as those terms are defined in section 
        1729 of this title, for any care or services for which payment 
        is made by the Department under this section.
            ``(6) To provide medical records for veterans furnished 
        care or services under this section to the Department in a 
        timeframe and format specified by the Secretary for purposes of 
        this section.
            ``(7) To meet such other terms and conditions, including 
        quality of care assurance standards, as the Secretary may 
        specify for purposes of this section.
    ``(f) Termination of Agreements.--(1) An eligible provider may 
terminate an agreement with the Secretary under this section at such 
time and upon such notice to the Secretary as the Secretary may specify 
for purposes of this section.
    ``(2) The Secretary may terminate an agreement with an eligible 
provider under this section at such time and upon such notice to the 
eligible provider as the Secretary may specify for purposes of this 
section, if the Secretary--
            ``(A) determines that the eligible provider failed to 
        comply substantially with the provisions of the agreement or 
        with the provisions of this section and the regulations 
        prescribed thereunder;
            ``(B) determines that the eligible provider is--
                    ``(i) excluded from participation in a Federal 
                health care program (as defined in section 1128B(f) of 
                the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(f))) under 
                section 1128 or 1128A of the Social Security Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1320a-7 and 1320a-7a); or
                    ``(ii) identified as an excluded source on the list 
                maintained in the System for Award Management, or any 
                successor system;
            ``(C) ascertains that the eligible provider has been 
        convicted of a felony or other serious offense under Federal or 
        State law and determines that the continued participation of 
        the eligible provider would be detrimental to the best 
        interests of veterans or the Department; or
            ``(D) determines that it is reasonable to terminate the 
        agreement based on the health care needs of a veteran or 
        veterans.
    ``(g) Periodic Review of Certain Agreements.--(1) Not less 
frequently than once every two years, the Secretary shall review each 
Veterans Care Agreement of material size entered into during the two-
year period preceding the review to determine whether it is feasible 
and advisable to furnish the hospital care, medical services, or 
extended care furnished under such agreement at facilities of the 
Department or through contracts or sharing agreements entered into 
under authorities other than this section.
    ``(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), a Veterans Care Agreement is 
of material size as determined by the Secretary for purposes of this 
section.
    ``(B) A Veterans Care Agreement entered into after September 30, 
2016, for the purchase of extended care services is of material size if 
the purchase of such services under the agreement exceeds $1,000,000 
annually. The Secretary may adjust such amount to account for changes 
in the cost of health care based upon recognized health care market 
surveys and other available data and shall publish any such adjustments 
in the Federal Register.
    ``(h) Treatment of Certain Laws.--(1) An agreement under this 
section may be entered into without regard to any law that would 
require the Secretary to use competitive procedures in selecting the 
party with which to enter into the agreement.
    ``(2) An eligible provider that enters into an agreement under this 
section may not be treated as a Federal contractor or subcontractor by 
the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs of the Department of 
Labor by virtue of furnishing hospital care, medical services, or 
extended care under that agreement.
    ``(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and unless 
otherwise provided in this section or regulations prescribed pursuant 
to this section, an eligible provider that enters into an agreement 
under this section is not subject to, in the carrying out of the 
agreement, any law that an eligible provider described in subsection 
(b)(1), (b)(2), or (b)(3) is not subject to under the original Medicare 
fee-for-service program under parts A and B of title XVIII of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) or the Medicaid program 
under title XIX of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).
    ``(B) The exclusion under subparagraph (A) does not apply to laws 
regarding integrity, ethics, fraud, or that subject a person to civil 
or criminal penalties.
    ``(4) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et 
seq.) shall apply with respect to an eligible provider that enters into 
an agreement under this section to the same extent as such title 
applies with respect to the eligible provider in providing care or 
services through an agreement or arrangement other than under this 
section.
    ``(i) Monitoring of Quality of Care.--The Secretary shall establish 
a system or systems, consistent with survey and certification 
procedures used by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and 
State survey agencies to the extent practicable--
            ``(1) to monitor the quality of care and services furnished 
        to veterans under this section; and
            ``(2) to assess the quality of care and services furnished 
        by an eligible provider under this section for purposes of 
        determining whether to renew an agreement under this section 
        with the eligible provider.
    ``(j) Dispute Resolution.--The Secretary shall establish 
administrative procedures for eligible providers with which the 
Secretary has entered into an agreement under this section to present 
any dispute arising under or related to the agreement.''.
    (b) Regulations.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall prescribe 
an interim final rule to carry out section 1703C of such title, as 
added by subsection (a), not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.
    (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 17 of such title, as amended by section 103(a)(2), is further 
amended by inserting after the item related to section 1703B the 
following new item:

``1703C. Veterans Care Agreements.''.

SEC. 202. REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN ENTITIES FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL 
              TRANSPORTATION.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 17 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1725 the following 
new section:
``Sec. 1725A. Reimbursement of certain entities for emergency medical 
              transportation
    ``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Secretary shall reimburse an ambulance provider or any other entity 
that provides transportation to a veteran described in section 1725(b) 
of this title for the purpose of receiving emergency treatment at a 
non-Department facility the cost of such transportation.
    ``(b) Service Connection.--(1) The Secretary shall reimburse an 
ambulance provider or any other entity under subsection (a) regardless 
of whether the underlying medical condition for which the veteran is 
seeking emergency treatment is in connection with a service-connected 
disability.
    ``(2) If the Secretary determines that the underlying medical 
condition for which the veteran receives emergency treatment is not in 
connection with a service-connected disability, the Secretary shall 
recoup the cost of transportation paid under subsection (a) in 
connection with such emergency treatment from any health-plan contract 
under which the veteran is covered.
    ``(c) Timing.--Reimbursement under subsection (a) shall be made not 
later than 30 days after receiving a request for reimbursement under 
such subsection.
    ``(d) Definitions.--In this section, the terms `emergency 
treatment' and `health-plan contract' have the meanings given those 
terms in section 1725(f) of this title.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting after the item related 
to section 1725 the following new item:

``1725A. Reimbursement for emergency medical transportation.''.

SEC. 203. REQUIREMENT THAT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COLLECT 
              HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACT INFORMATION FROM VETERANS.

    (a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 17 is amended by inserting 
after section 1705 the following new section:
``Sec. 1705A. Management of health care: information regarding health-
              plan contracts
    ``(a) In General.--(1) Any individual who seeks hospital care or 
medical services under this chapter shall provide to the Secretary such 
current information as the Secretary may require to identify any 
health-plan contract under which such individual is covered.
    ``(2) The information required to be provided to the Secretary 
under paragraph (1) with respect to a health-plan contract shall 
include, as applicable, the following:
            ``(A) The name of the entity providing coverage under the 
        health-plan contract.
            ``(B) If coverage under the health-plan contract is in the 
        name of an individual other than the individual required to 
        provide information under this section, the name of the policy 
        holder of the health-plan contract.
            ``(C) The identification number for the health-plan 
        contract.
            ``(D) The group code for the health-plan contract.
    ``(b) Action To Collect Information.--The Secretary may take such 
action as the Secretary considers appropriate to collect the 
information required under subsection (a).
    ``(c) Effect on Services From Department.--The Secretary may not 
deny any services under this chapter to an individual solely due to the 
fact that the individual fails to provide information required under 
subsection (a).
    ``(d) Health-Plan Contract Defined.--In this section, the term 
`health-plan contract' has the meaning given that term in section 
1725(f) of this title.''.
    (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of 
chapter 17 of such title is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 1705 the following new item:

``1705A. Management of health care: information regarding health-plan 
                            contracts.''.

SEC. 204. REQUIREMENT FOR ADVANCE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE VETERANS 
              CHOICE PROGRAM ACCOUNT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
              AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Section 117(c) of title 38, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
            ``(7) Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Choice 
        Program.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1105(a)(37) of title 31, United 
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph:
                    ``(G) Veterans Health Administration, Veterans 
                Choice Program.''.
    (c) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section shall apply 
to fiscal years beginning on and after October 1, 2016.

SEC. 205. REAUTHORIZATION OF PILOT PROGRAM OF ENHANCED CONTRACT CARE 
              AUTHORITY FOR HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF VETERANS.

    Paragraph (3) of section 403(a) of the Veterans' Mental Health and 
Other Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-387; 38 U.S.C. 1703 
note) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(3) Termination.--The Secretary may not provide covered 
        health services under the pilot program after August 7, 
        2019.''.

                   TITLE III--OTHER VETERANS MATTERS

SEC. 301. TIMEFRAME FOR PAYMENT OF DISABILITY COMPENSATION FOR VICTIMS 
              OF CONTAMINATED WATER AT CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, 
              WHEN THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ESTABLISHES A 
              PRESUMPTION OF SERVICE CONNECTION.

    (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), in any case 
in which the Secretary of Veterans Affairs establishes a presumption of 
service connection for purposes of compensation under chapter 11 of 
title 38, United States Code, for an illness or condition incurred by 
an individual described in section 1710(e)(1)(F) of such title, the 
Secretary shall commence, not later than 90 days after the date on 
which the Secretary established such presumption, payment of 
compensation under such chapter to the individuals who are entitled to 
such compensation under such chapter by virtue of such presumption.
    (b) Presumptions Established Before Date of Enactment.--In a case 
in which the Secretary established a presumption as described in 
subsection (a) before the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall commence payment as described in such subsection not 
later than the date that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act.
                                 <all>