Section 403 of the Veterans’ Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008
Public Law 110–387, as amended
Section 403 of the Veterans’ Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008
387
114–223
Statute Compilation
United States House of Representatives
Office of the Legislative Counsel
text/xml
EN
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Veterans’ Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008
Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014
10990
110
2008-10-10
Section 403 of the Veterans’ Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act of 2008
[(Public Law 110–387)]
[As Amended Through Public Law 114–223, Enacted on September 29, 2016]
[Currency: This publication is a compilation of the text of Public Law 110–387. It was last amended by the public law listed in the As Amended Through note above and below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and reflects current law through the date of the enactment of the public law listed at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/comps/]
[Note: While this publication does not represent an official version of any Federal statute, substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents. The official version of Federal law is found in the United States Statutes at Large and in the United States Code. The legal effect to be given to the Statutes at Large and the United States Code is established by statute (1 U.S.C. 112, 204).]
AN ACTTo improve the treatment and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and substance use disorders, and for other purposes.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
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<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="IV">TITLE IV—</num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">HEALTH CARE MATTERS </heading>
<elided style="-uslm-dtd:omitted-text">* * * * * * *</elided>
<section style="-uslm-dtd:section" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="403">SEC. 403. </num><editorialNote style="-uslm-dtd:usc-reference" role="uscRef"><b>[</b><ref href="/us/usc/t38/s1703">38 U.S.C. 1703 note</ref><b>]</b> </editorialNote><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">PILOT PROGRAM OF ENHANCED CONTRACT CARE AUTHORITY FOR HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF VETERANS IN HIGHLY RURAL AREAS. </heading>
<subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/a" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="a">(a) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Pilot Program Required.—</heading>
<paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/a/1" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="1">(1) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">In general.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall conduct a pilot program under which the Secretary provides covered health services to covered veterans through qualifying non-Department of Veterans Affairs health care providers.</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/a/2" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="2">(2) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Commencement.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary shall commence the conduct of the pilot program on the date that is 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/a/3" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="3">(3) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Duration.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">A veteran may receive health services under this section during the period beginning on the date specified in paragraph (2) and ending on September 30, 2017.</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/a/4" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="4">(4) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Program locations </heading><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at locations in the following Veterans Integrated Service Networks (and such other locations as the Secretary considers appropriate):</chapeau>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/a/4/A" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="A">(A) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Veterans Integrated Service Network 1.</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/a/4/B" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="B">(B) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Veterans Integrated Service Network 6.</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/a/4/C" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="C">(C) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Veterans Integrated Service Network 15.</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/a/4/D" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="D">(D) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Veterans Integrated Service Network 18.</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/a/4/E" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="E">(E) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Veterans Integrated Service Network 19.</content>
</subparagraph>
</paragraph>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/b" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="b">(b) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Covered Veterans.—</heading><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">For purposes of the pilot program under
this section, a covered veteran is any veteran who—</chapeau>
<paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/b/1" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="1">(1) </num><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">is—</chapeau>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/b/1/A" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="A">(A) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">enrolled in the system of patient
enrollment established under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code,
as of August 1, 2014; or</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/b/1/B" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="B">(B) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">eligible for health care under section
1710(e)(3) of such title; and</content>
</subparagraph>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/b/2" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="2">(2) </num><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">resides in a location that is—</chapeau>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/b/2/A" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="A">(A) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">more than 60 minutes driving distance from
the nearest Department health care facility providing primary care services, if
the veteran is seeking such services;</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/b/2/B" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="B">(B) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">more than 120 minutes driving distance from
the nearest Department health care facility providing acute hospital care, if
the veteran is seeking such care; or</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/b/2/C" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="C">(C) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">more than 240 minutes driving distance from
the nearest Department health care facility providing tertiary care, if the
veteran is seeking such
care.</content>
</subparagraph>
</paragraph>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/c" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="c">(c) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Covered Health Services.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">For purposes of the pilot program under this section, a covered health service with respect to a covered veteran is any hospital care, medical service, rehabilitative service, or preventative health service that is authorized to be provided by the Secretary to the veteran under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, or any other provision of law.</content>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/d" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="d">(d) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Qualifying Non-Department Health Care Providers.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">For purposes of the pilot program under this section, an entity or individual is a qualifying non-Department health care provider of a covered health service if the Secretary determines that the entity or individual is qualified to furnish such service to veterans under the pilot program.</content>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/e" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="e">(e) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Election.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">A covered veteran seeking to be provided covered health services under the pilot program under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application therefor in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary shall specify for purposes of the pilot program.</content>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/f" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="f">(f) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Provision of Services Through Contract.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary shall provide covered health services to veterans under the pilot program under this section through contracts with qualifying non-Department health care providers for the provision of such services.</content>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/g" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="g">(g) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Exchange of Medical Information.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">In conducting the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall develop and utilize a functional capability to provide for the exchange of appropriate medical information between the Department and non- Department health care providers providing health services under the pilot program.</content>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/h" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="h">(h) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Appointments.—</heading><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">In carrying out the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that medical appointments for covered veterans—</chapeau>
<paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/h/1" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="1">(1) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">are scheduled not later than 5 days after the date on which the appointment is requested; and</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/h/2" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="2">(2) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">occur not later than 30 days after such date.</content>
</paragraph>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/i" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="i">(i) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Outreach.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary shall ensure that covered veterans are informed about the pilot program under this section.</content>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/j" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="j">(j) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Use of Existing Contracts.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Notwithstanding any provision of law relating to the use of competitive procedures in entering into contracts, in carrying out the pilot program under this section after the date of the enactment of the <inline style="-uslm-dtd:short-title">Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014</inline>, the Secretary shall make use of contracts entered into under this section before such date or may enter into new contracts.</content>
</subsection>
<subsection style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/k" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="k">(k) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Reports.—</heading><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">Not later than the 30 days after the end of each year in which the pilot program under this section is conducted, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee of Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives a report which includes—</chapeau>
<paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/k/1" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="1">(1) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">the assessment of the Secretary of the pilot program during the preceding year, including its cost, volume, quality, patient satisfaction, benefit to veterans, and such other findings and conclusions with respect to pilot program as the Secretary considers appropriate; and</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/k/2" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="2">(2) </num><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">such recommendations as the Secretary considers appropriate regarding—</chapeau>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/k/2/A" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="A">(A) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">the continuation of the pilot program;</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/k/2/B" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="B">(B) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">extension of the pilot program to other or all Veterans Integrated Service Networks of the Department; and</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" identifier="/us/sComp/110/387/tIV/s403/k/2/C" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="C">(C) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">making the pilot program permanent.</content>
</subparagraph>
</paragraph>
</subsection>
</section>
<elided style="-uslm-dtd:omitted-text">* * * * * * *</elided>