Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996
Public Law 104–275, as amended
Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996
275
118–210
Statute Compilation
United States House of Representatives
Office of the Legislative Counsel
text/xml
EN
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Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996
17507
104
1996-10-09
Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996
[(Public Law 104–275)]
[As Amended Through P.L. 118–210, Enacted January 2, 2025]
[Currency: This publication is a compilation of the text of section 504 of Public Law 104–275. 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 amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the benefits programs administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, to provide for a study of the Federal programs for veterans, 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'
Benefits Improvements Act of 1996”.
(b) Table of Contents.—[Omitted]
* * * * * * *
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="V">TITLE V—</num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS </heading>
<elided style="-uslm-dtd:omitted-text">* * * * * * *</elided>
<section identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504" style="-uslm-dtd:section" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="504">SEC. 504. </num><editorialNote role="uscRef" style="-uslm-dtd:usc-reference"><b>[</b><ref href="/us/usc/t38/s5101">38 U.S.C. 5101 note</ref><b>]</b> </editorialNote><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">PILOT PROGRAM FOR USE OF CONTRACT HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS FOR DISABILITY EXAMINATIONS. </heading>
<subsection identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/a" style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="a">(a) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Authority.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, acting through the Under Secretary for Benefits, may conduct a pilot program under this section under which examinations with respect to medical disability of applicants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary that are carried out through the Under Secretary for Benefits may be made by persons other than employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Any such examination shall be performed pursuant to contracts entered into by the Under Secretary for Benefits with those persons.</content>
</subsection>
<subsection identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/b" style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="b">(b) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Limitation.—</heading><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary may carry out the pilot program under this section as follows:</chapeau>
<paragraph identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/b/1" style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="1">(1) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">In fiscal years before fiscal year 2015, through not more than 10 regional offices of the Department of Veterans Affairs.</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/b/2" style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="2">(2) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">In fiscal year 2015, through not more than 12 regional offices of the Department.</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/b/3" style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="3">(3) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">In fiscal year 2016, through not more than 15 regional offices of the Department.</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/b/4" style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="4">(4) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">In fiscal year 2017 and each fiscal year thereafter, through such regional offices of the Department as the Secretary considers appropriate.</content>
</paragraph>
</subsection>
<subsection identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/c" style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="c">(c) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Licensure of Contract Health Care Professionals.—</heading>
<paragraph identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/c/1" style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="1">(1) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">In general.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Notwithstanding any law regarding the licensure of health care professionals, only a health care professional described in paragraph (2) may conduct an examination pursuant to a contract entered into under subsection (a) at any location in any State, the District of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, so long as the examination is within the scope of the authorized duties under such contract.</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/c/2" style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="2">(2) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Health care professional described.—</heading><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">A health care professional described in this paragraph is a physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, audiologist, or psychologist, who—</chapeau>
<subparagraph identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/c/2/A" style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="A">(A) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">has a current unrestricted license to practice the health care profession of the physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, audiologist, or psychologist, as the case may be;</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/c/2/B" style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="B">(B) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">is not barred from practicing such health care profession in any State, the District of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States; and</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/c/2/C" style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="C">(C) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">is performing authorized duties for the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to a contract entered into under subsection (a).</content>
</subparagraph>
</paragraph>
</subsection><editorialNote style="-uslm-dtd:legis-comment"><b>[</b>Note: Section 2002(a)(4) of Public Law 116–315 (as amended by section 1 of Public Law 118–19) provides “<quotedText style="-uslm-dtd:quote">On the date that is five years after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 5, 2021], subsection (c) of such section shall read as it read on the day before the date of the enactment of this Act.</quotedText>”. Upon such date [Jan. 5, 2026], subsection (c) (as in effect just prior to January 5, 2021) will read as follow:<b>]</b> </editorialNote>
<subsection identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/c" inEffect="false" style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="c">(c) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Licensure of Contract Physicians.—</heading>
<paragraph identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/c/1" style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="1">(1) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">In General.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Notwithstanding any law regarding the licensure of physicians, a physician described in paragraph (2) may conduct an examination pursuant to a contract entered into under subsection (a) at any location in any State, the District of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, so long as the examination is within the scope of the authorized duties under such contract.</content>
</paragraph>
<paragraph identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/c/2" style="-uslm-dtd:paragraph" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="2">(2) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Physician described.—</heading><chapeau style="-uslm-dtd:text">A physician described in this paragraph is a physician who—</chapeau>
<subparagraph identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/c/2/A" style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="A">(A) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">has a current unrestricted license to practice the health care profession of the physician;</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/c/2/B" style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="B">(B) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">is not barred from practicing such health care profession in any State, the District of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States; and</content>
</subparagraph>
<subparagraph identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/c/2/C" style="-uslm-dtd:subparagraph" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="C">(C) </num><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">is performing authorized duties for the Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to a contract entered into under subsection (a).</content>
</subparagraph>
</paragraph>
</subsection>
<subsection identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/d" style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="d">(d) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Source of Funds.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Expenses of carrying out the pilot program under this section, including payments for pilot program examination travel and incidental expenses under the terms and conditions set forth by 38 U.S.C. 111, shall be reimbursed to the accounts available for the general operating expenses of the Veterans Benefits Administration and information technology systems from amounts available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for payment of compensation and pensions.</content>
</subsection>
<subsection identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/e" style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="e">(e) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Report to Congress.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">Not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report on the effect of the use of the authority provided by subsection (a) on the cost, timeliness, and thoroughness of medical disability examinations.</content>
</subsection>
<subsection identifier="/us/sComp/104/275/tV/s504/f" style="-uslm-dtd:subsection" styleType="OLC">
<num style="-uslm-dtd:enum" value="f">(f) </num><heading style="-uslm-dtd:header">Certain Information Provided to Health Care Professional.—</heading><content style="-uslm-dtd:text">The Secretary shall provide to a health care professional who performs an examination under subsection (a), or a contractor performing a contract under such subsection, the contact information of any agent or attorney recognized by the Secretary under chapter 59 of title 38, United States Code, with regards to a claim for benefits that gives rise to such examination.</content>
</subsection>
<elided style="-uslm-dtd:omitted-text">* * * * * * *</elided>
</section>