[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 94 (Friday, May 15, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27878-27883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-11718]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

38 CFR Part 17

RIN 2900-AP09


Health Care for Certain Children of Vietnam Veterans and Certain 
Korea Veterans--Covered Birth Defects and Spina Bifida

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its 
regulations concerning the provisions of health care to birth children 
of Vietnam veterans and veterans of covered service in Korea diagnosed 
with spina bifida, except for spina bifida occulta, and certain other 
birth defects. The proposed changes would more clearly define the types 
of health care VA provides, including day health care and health-
related services, which VA would define as homemaker or home health 
aide services that provide assistance with Activities of Daily Living 
or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living that have therapeutic value. 
We would also make changes to the list of health care services that 
require preauthorization by VA.

DATES: Comments must be received by VA on or before July 14, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted through 
www.regulations.gov; by mail or hand-delivery to the Director, 
Regulation Policy and Management (02REG), Department of Veterans 
Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave. NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or by 
fax to (202) 273-9026. Comments should indicate that they are submitted 
in response to ``RIN 2900-AP09--Health Care for Certain Children of 
Vietnam Veterans and Certain Korea Veterans--Covered Birth Defects and 
Spina Bifida.'' Copies of comments received will be available for 
public inspection in the Office of Regulation Policy and Management, 
Room 1068, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday (except holidays). Please call (202) 461-4902 for an 
appointment. (This is not a toll-free number.) In addition, during the 
comment period, comments may be viewed online through the Federal 
Docket--Management System (FDMS) at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karyn Barrett, Director, Program 
Administration Directorate, Chief Business Office Purchased Care 
(10NB3), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans

[[Page 27879]]

Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave. NW., Washington, DC 20420, (303) 331-7500. 
(This is not a toll-free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Chapter 18 of title 38, United States Code, 
provides for benefits for certain birth children of Vietnam veterans 
and veterans of covered service in Korea who have been diagnosed with 
spina bifida, except spina bifida occulta, and certain other birth 
defects. These benefits include: (1) Monthly monetary allowances for 
various disability levels; (2) health care; and (3) vocational training 
and rehabilitation. VA has published regulations at 38 CFR 17.900 
through 17.905 concerning health care for children authorized by 38 
U.S.C. 1803 as well as 1813. Section 1803(a) authorizes VA to provide a 
child of a Vietnam veteran who is suffering from spina bifida, except 
spina bifida occulta, with health care. Section 1813(a) authorizes VA 
to provide a child of a woman Vietnam veteran who has been diagnosed 
with certain other birth defects needed health care for that child's 
covered birth defects or any disability that is associated with those 
birth defects. The definitions in section 1803(c) apply to both 
programs, with two narrow exceptions that are not relevant to this 
rulemaking.
    The term ``health care'' under 38 U.S.C. 1803(c)(1) is defined as 
home care, hospital care, nursing home care, outpatient care, 
preventive care, habilitative and rehabilitative care, case management, 
and respite care. In addition, health care includes the training of 
appropriate members of a child's family or household in the care of the 
child; the provision of pharmaceuticals; supplies (including 
continence-related supplies such as catheters, pads, and diapers); 
equipment (including durable medical equipment); devices; appliances; 
assistive technology; and direct transportation costs to and from 
approved health care providers (including any necessary costs for meals 
and lodging en route and accompaniment by an attendant or attendants). 
Certain of these benefits and services require preauthorization by VA 
under Sec.  17.902.
    Health care that is not provided directly by VA must be provided by 
contract with an approved health care provider or by other arrangement 
with an approved health care provider. Under current Sec.  17.900, 
``approved health care provider'' means a health care provider 
currently approved by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services 
(CMS), Department of Defense TRICARE Program, Civilian Health and 
Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA), Joint 
Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO), or 
currently approved for providing health care under a license or 
certificate issued by a governmental entity with jurisdiction. An 
entity or individual will be deemed to be an approved health care 
provider only when acting within the scope of the approval, license, or 
certificate. We do not propose any substantive changes to the 
definition of approved health care provider, but the definition is 
relevant here because we use the term in this rulemaking.
    VA has identified a need for certain types of care for these 
individuals and intends to clarify in regulation which services are 
authorized by 38 U.S.C. 1803 and 1813 and will be provided under this 
authority. We propose to amend our regulations to clarify what services 
constitute health care under Sec.  17.900 and to revise the list of 
health care services that would require preauthorization by VA under 
Sec.  17.902. These proposed changes are based on an advisory opinion 
from VA's Office of the General Counsel (OGC). VAOPGCADV 5-2013 (June 
13, 2013). OGC issued this advisory opinion in response to a VA request 
for clarification as to whether VA is authorized by 38 U.S.C. 1803 to 
provide various types of health care services.
    One of those services is day health care. Day health care services 
are a non-institutional alternative to nursing home care, and we 
believe that VA may reimburse these services under its authority in 38 
U.S.C. 1803 to provide outpatient care and respite care.
    Outpatient care is defined at 38 U.S.C. 1803(c)(6) to mean care and 
treatment of a disability, and preventive health services, furnished to 
an individual other than hospital care or nursing home care. The phrase 
``care and treatment'' is also found in the definitions of hospital 
care, nursing home care, and preventive care at 38 U.S.C. 1803(c)(4) 
through (7). The inclusion of the phrase ``care and treatment'' in the 
definitions of the categories of authorized health care services 
indicates legislative intent that a therapeutic component must be part 
of the service provided. Accordingly, we would define day health care 
to also include a therapeutic component. So defined, we believe that 
day health care services constitute care and treatment furnished 
outside of hospital care or nursing home care, and, therefore, that VA 
may provide day health care services as part of outpatient care 
authorized by 38 U.S.C. 1803. We would also amend the definition of 
outpatient care to include day health care as an authorized health care 
service.
    We would define ``day health care'' to mean a therapeutic program 
prescribed by an approved health care provider that provides necessary 
medical services, rehabilitation, therapeutic activities, 
socialization, nutrition, and transportation services in a congregate 
setting. Day health care services contemplated under this proposal are 
equivalent to adult day health care provided to disabled veterans under 
38 CFR 17.111(c)(1), except that such services would be provided to 
individuals who are not veterans. The essential features are the 
therapeutic focus of the day health care services and provision of 
these services in a congregate setting.
    Current Sec.  17.900 defines outpatient care as care and treatment, 
including preventive health services, furnished to a child other than 
hospital care or nursing home care. We would amend this definition to 
include day health care to clarify that day health care is a component 
of outpatient care.
    Day health care services are also a component of respite care. 
Respite care is currently defined at Sec.  17.900 as care furnished by 
an approved health care provider on an intermittent basis for a limited 
period to an individual who resides primarily in a private residence 
when such care will help the individual continue residing in such 
private residence. Respite care is a service that pays for a person to 
come to an individual beneficiary's home or for the beneficiary to go 
to a program, including a day health care program, so the family 
caregiver can have a period during which the caregiver is not 
responsible to provide care to the beneficiary. Respite care allows the 
family caregiver to run errands without worrying about leaving the 
beneficiary alone at home. Respite care can help reduce the stress a 
family caregiver may feel when managing a beneficiary's long-term care 
needs at home, and therefore can improve the quality of care and 
assistance provided to the beneficiary. VA currently provides day 
health care to eligible beneficiaries as an element of respite care, 
and we would amend the definition of respite care to clarify that it is 
an included service.
    Home care is defined at Sec.  17.900 as medical care, habilitative 
and rehabilitative care, preventive health services, and health-related 
services furnished to a child in the child's home or other place of 
residence. The regulation also defines habilitative and rehabilitative 
care and preventive health care but does not define ``health-related 
services.'' We propose to define ``health-

[[Page 27880]]

related services'' for purposes of Sec. Sec.  17.900 through 17.905 as 
homemaker or home health aide services furnished in the individual's 
home or other place of residence to the extent that those services 
involve assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and 
Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) that have therapeutic 
value. This is consistent with VA's interpretation of the term 
``health-related services'' as it is used relative to care provided to 
veterans.
    We would define homemaker services to mean certain activities that 
help to maintain a safe, healthy environment for an individual in the 
home or other place of residence. Such services contribute to the 
prevention, delay, or reduction of risk of harm or hospital, nursing 
home, or other institutional care. Homemaker services would include 
assistance with personal care; home management; completion of simple 
household tasks; nutrition, including menu planning and meal 
preparation; consumer education; and hygiene education. Homemaker 
services may include assistance with IADLs, such as: Light 
housekeeping; laundering; meal preparation; necessary services to 
maintain a safe and sanitary environment in the areas of the home used 
by the individual; and services essential to the comfort and 
cleanliness of the individual and ensuring individual safety. We would 
require that homemaker services must be provided according to the 
individual's written plan of care and must be prescribed by an approved 
health care provider.
    Home health aide services would mean personal care and related 
support services to an individual in the home or other place of 
residence. Home health aide services may include assistance with ADLs 
such as: Bathing; toileting; eating; dressing; aid in ambulating or 
transfers; active and passive exercises; assistance with medical 
equipment; and routine health monitoring. We would also provide that 
home health aide services must be provided according to the 
individual's written plan of care and must be prescribed by an approved 
health care provider.
    Homemaker and home health aide services that are provided outside 
the beneficiary's residence, such as services related to grocery 
shopping, would not be covered, because the definition of home care is 
limited to those services provided in the child's home or other place 
of residence. Activities that have no therapeutic value or are not 
medical in nature also would not be covered. These activities include 
assisting an individual with personal correspondence or paying bills. 
For this reason, we define ``health-related services'' to include only 
those ADLs and IADLs with therapeutic value.
    As with all services under section 1803, however, only those 
health-related services that are medical in nature and provided by an 
approved health care provider are covered by VA. Health-related 
services generally are delivered by different types of providers 
including personal attendants, custodial care providers, or companion 
services providers, and there may be instances in which these service 
providers are not ``approved health care providers'' as that term is 
defined by statute and regulation. As discussed in further detail 
below, we propose to require preauthorization for homemaker services, 
which is a subset of health-related services, and would be a newly 
defined service provided under existing statutory authority. VA already 
has an established review and payment process in place for home health 
aide services. Preauthorization for certain health care services is 
covered in Sec.  17.902 and is discussed below. We believe that these 
requirements appropriately balance the needs of the beneficiaries 
served through this program and the statutory and regulatory 
requirements that any services provided through the program must be 
medical in nature and provided by an approved health care provider.
    As noted above, home care is furnished to a child in the child's 
home or other place of residence. The term ``other place of residence'' 
is not further defined. In general, we believe this term applies to 
those instances in which the child may need a level of assistance that 
is not available in the home, but a higher level of care such as 
admission to a nursing home is not needed. We propose to define ``other 
place of residence'' to include assisted living facilities or 
residential group homes, both of which provide an intermediate level of 
assistance. We note that, while VA would provide home care services in 
an assisted living facility or residential group home, VA is not 
authorized to pay for a child to stay in either an assisted living 
facility or residential group home. The types of alternatives to home 
care that VA may provide under section 1803 are nursing home care, 
hospital care, and respite care.
    We would also add a definition of ``long-term care'' to clarify the 
types of long-term care VA is authorized to provide under these 
programs. The term ``long-term care'' is not currently defined, and VA 
is frequently asked what types of long-term care VA is authorized to 
provide. Generally, ``long-term care'' encompasses a variety of 
services that include medical and non-medical care to people who have a 
chronic illness or disability. However, VA is authorized to provide 
only those types of long-term care that constitute ``health care'' as 
defined in 38 U.S.C. 1803(c)(1)(A). The three categories of health care 
VA has determined would be considered long-term care are home care, 
nursing home care, and respite care. We propose to define the term 
``long-term care'' consistent with that determination. We would also 
amend the definition of ``health care'' to include long-term care.
    In addition to the definitional clarifications proposed above, we 
propose to amend Sec.  17.902, which sets forth the list of services 
and benefits for which preauthorization by VA is required. 
Preauthorization allows VA to ensure that health care services are 
provided by approved health care providers, prescribed and medically 
necessary, and provided at a reasonable cost. Requiring prior approval 
also limits the likelihood that beneficiaries will incur liability for 
non-reimbursable expenses. In selecting those services that require 
preauthorization, we focused on those services where there is likely to 
be a high cost and some question regarding whether a particular health 
care service meets the requirements of Sec. Sec.  17.900 and 17.901.
    Preauthorization is currently required for all mental health 
services. We would amend Sec.  17.902(a) to provide that 
preauthorization is required only for outpatient mental health services 
in excess of 23 visits in a calendar year. We believe this change would 
assist beneficiaries by providing them with greater flexibility in 
obtaining needed mental health services. The proposed change would also 
align the preauthorization requirements for these programs with 
CHAMPVA, which does not require preauthorization for inpatient mental 
health services and requires preauthorization for outpatient mental 
health services only after the 23rd visit in a calendar year. CHAMPVA 
likewise covers non-veteran beneficiaries, and following the CHAMPVA 
standard here would ensure consistency. In addition, this proposed 
change would decrease the administrative burden for beneficiaries and 
would ensure that there is no delay in initiating necessary outpatient 
mental health services.
    We also propose to add homemaker services to the list of services 
that require preauthorization. Both homemaker services and home health 
aide services are defined as health-related services. We would not 
require preauthorization for home health aide services, because VA has 
an existing

[[Page 27881]]

payment schedule and an established review process for these services. 
However, we would require preauthorization for homemaker services, 
because VA's authority to provide homemaker services is limited by type 
and scope. VA believes that requiring preauthorization for homemaker 
services would mitigate the possibility of beneficiaries receiving 
certain homemaker services that would not be covered by VA because the 
service was provided outside the individual's home or other place of 
residence, or the service had no therapeutic value.
    As we noted above, day health care is an element of both outpatient 
care and respite care. VA already provides day health care to eligible 
beneficiaries as part of respite care, but it would now also be 
included as an element of outpatient care. Respite care, as a distinct 
class of services, does not require preauthorization. However, we would 
require preauthorization for day health care as part of outpatient care 
only to ensure that the day health care being claimed is a therapeutic 
program prescribed by an approved health care provider that provides 
necessary medical services, rehabilitation, therapeutic activities, 
socialization, and nutrition, and that the service is obtained at a 
reasonable cost. Preauthorization would still be required for dental 
services; substance abuse treatment; training; transplantation 
services; and travel (other than mileage at the General Services 
Administration rate for privately owned automobiles).
    Current Sec.  17.902(a) states that authorization will only be 
given in spina bifida cases where there is a demonstrated medical need. 
``Medically necessary'' is a more easily understood and more commonly 
used term than is ``demonstrated medical need'' and we propose to amend 
this paragraph to reflect the more commonly used term.
    Payment for health care services is addressed in Sec.  
17.903(a)(1). The current rule states that payment for health care 
services will be determined using the same payment methodologies as 
provided for under CHAMPVA regulations. VA recognizes that services 
covered by CHAMPVA change periodically, and there may be instances in 
which CHAMPVA does not have a payment methodology for all health care 
services available under Sec. Sec.  17.900 through 17.905. For 
instance, homemaker services are excluded from CHAMPVA coverage at 38 
CFR 17.272(a)(55) but may be covered as health-related services under 
Sec.  17.900. To address this, we propose to amend this paragraph to 
state that payment for services or benefits covered by Sec. Sec.  
17.900 through 17.905 but not covered by CHAMPVA regulations will be 
determined using the same or similar payment methodologies applied by 
VA for the equivalent services or benefits provided to veterans. This 
may include negotiating a rate with the provider or using a national 
average or the Medicare rate.
    We would make a technical edit to the definition of ``approved 
health care provider'' found in Sec.  17.900. The current definition of 
``approved health care provider'' includes health care providers 
currently approved by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health 
Care Organizations (JCAHO). In 2007, JCAHO changed its name to The 
Joint Commission and we would amend this definition to reflect that 
change.
    Finally, we address the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
control number referenced in Sec. Sec.  17.902 through 17.904. OMB had 
approved information collection for purposes of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act under OMB control number 2900-0578 for provision of health care, 
preauthorization, payment, review, and appeals. In 2010, OMB determined 
that information collection for the Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits 
program should be combined with a parallel information collection 
approved for CHAMPVA. This combined information collection was approved 
under OMB control number 2900-0219. We would make a technical edit to 
reflect the correct OMB control number.

Effect of Rulemaking

    The Code of Federal Regulations, as proposed to be revised by this 
proposed rulemaking, would represent the exclusive legal authority on 
this subject. No contrary rules or procedures would be authorized. All 
VA guidance would be read to conform with this proposed rulemaking if 
possible or, if not possible, such guidance would be superseded by this 
rulemaking.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This proposed rule includes provisions constituting a modification 
to a collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521) that requires approval by OMB. Accordingly, 
under 44 U.S.C. 3507(d), VA has submitted a copy of this rulemaking to 
OMB for review.
    OMB assigns control numbers to collections of information it 
approves. VA may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. Proposed Sec.  17.902 contains a 
collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. If 
OMB does not approve the modification as requested, VA will immediately 
remove the provisions containing a collection of information or take 
such other action as is directed by OMB.
    Comments on the modification to the collection[s] of information 
contained in this proposed rule should be submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Washington, DC 20503, with copies sent by mail or hand delivery to the 
Director, Regulation Policy and Management (02REG), Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 
20420; fax to (202) 273-9026; or through www.Regulations.gov. Comments 
should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-
AP09--Health Care for Certain Children of Vietnam Veterans and Certain 
Korea Veterans--Covered Birth Defects and Spina Bifida.''
    OMB is required to make a decision concerning the modification to 
the collection of information contained in this proposed rule between 
30 and 60 days after publication of this document in the Federal 
Register. Therefore, a comment to OMB is best assured of having its 
full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication. This does 
not affect the deadline for the public to comment on the proposed rule.
    VA considers comments by the public on proposed collections of 
information in--
     Evaluating whether the proposed collections of information 
are necessary for the proper performance of the functions of VA, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluating the accuracy of VA's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collections of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhancing the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimizing the burden of the collections of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses.
    The modifications to the collection of information contained in 38 
CFR 17.902 are described immediately following this paragraph, under 
their respective titles.

[[Page 27882]]

    Title: Health Care for Certain Children of Vietnam Veterans and 
Certain Korea Veterans--Covered Birth Defects and Spina Bifida.
    Summary of collection of information: Section 17.902(a) states that 
preauthorization from VA is required for certain services or benefits 
under Sec. Sec.  17.900 through 17.905. VA is modifying the 
preauthorization requirement for mental health services to only require 
preauthorization for outpatient mental health services in excess of 23 
visits in a calendar year. VA also adds day health care provided as 
outpatient care and homemaker services to the list of services or 
benefits that must receive preauthorization.
    Description of the need for information and proposed use of 
information: The information collected is needed to carry out the 
health care programs for certain children of Korea and/or Vietnam 
veterans authorized under 38 U.S.C. chapter 18, as amended by section 
401, Public Law 106-419 and section 102, Public Law 108-183. VA's 
medical regulations 38 CFR part 17 (17.900 through 17.905) establish 
regulations regarding provisions of health care for certain children of 
Korea and Vietnam veterans and women Vietnam veterans' children born 
with spina bifida and certain other covered birth defects. These 
regulations specify this information to be included in requests for 
preauthorization and claims from approved health care providers and 
eligible Veterans.
    Description of likely respondents: Veterans and eligible family 
members seeking reimbursement for claims associated with spina bifida 
and certain other covered birth defects.
    Estimated number of respondents per year: 12.
    Estimated frequency of responses: 1 time per year.
    Estimated average burden per response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated total annual reporting and recordkeeping burden: 2 hours.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Secretary hereby certifies that this proposed rule would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
U.S.C. 601-612. This proposed rule would directly affect only 
individuals and would not directly affect small entities. Therefore, 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), this rulemaking is exempt from the initial 
and final regulatory flexibility analysis requirements of 5 U.S.C. 603 
and 604.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, and other advantages; distributive impacts; 
and equity). Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory 
Review) emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. 
Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) defines a 
``significant regulatory action,'' requiring review by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), unless OMB waives such review, as ``any 
regulatory action that is likely to result in a rule that may: (1) Have 
an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely 
affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, 
productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or 
safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) 
Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action 
taken or planned by another agency; (3) Materially alter the budgetary 
impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the 
rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) Raise novel legal 
or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's 
priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive Order.''
    The economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and policy 
implications of this regulatory action have been examined, and it has 
been determined not to be a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866. VA's impact analysis can be found as a 
supporting document at http://www.regulations.gov, usually within 48 
hours after the rulemaking document is published. Additionally, a copy 
of the rulemaking and its impact analysis are available on VA's Web 
site at http://www.va.gov/orpm/, by following the link for VA 
Regulations Published From FY 2004 to FYTD.

Unfunded Mandates

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 
1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and 
benefits before issuing any rule that may result in the expenditure by 
State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the 
private sector, of $100 million or more (adjusted annually for 
inflation) in any 1 year. This proposed rule would have no such effect 
on State, local, and tribal governments, or on the private sector.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    There are no Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance numbers and 
titles for the programs affected by this document.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Jose D. 
Riojas, Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this 
document on April 2, 2015, for publication.

List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 17

    Administrative practice and procedure, Alcohol abuse, Alcoholism, 
Claims, Day care, Dental health, Drug abuse, Government contracts, 
Grant programs--health, Grant programs--veterans, Health care, Health 
facilities, Health professions, Health records, Homeless, Medical and 
dental schools, Medical devices, Medical research, Mental health 
programs, Nursing homes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Travel and transportation expenses, Veterans.

    Dated: May 11, 2015.
William F. Russo,
Acting Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Office of 
the General Counsel, Department of Veterans Affairs.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, Department of Veterans 
Affairs proposes to amend 38 CFR part 17 as follows:

PART 17--MEDICAL

0
1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, and as noted in specific sections.

0
2. Amend Sec.  17.900 by:
0
a. In the definition of ``Approved health care provider'' removing 
``Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations 
(JCAHO)'' from the first sentence and adding, in its place, ``The Joint 
Commission'';
0
b. Adding in alphabetical order a definition of ``Day health care'';
0
c. In the definition of ``Health care'' adding ``long-term care,'' to 
the first sentence immediately after ``hospital care,'';
0
d. Adding in alphabetical order definitions of ``Health-related 
services'',

[[Page 27883]]

``Home health aide services'',``Homemaker services'', ``Long-term 
care'', and ``Other place of residence'';
0
e. In the definition of ``Outpatient care'' adding ``day health care 
and'' immediately after the word ``including''; and
0
f. Revising the definition of ``Respite care''.
    The additions and revision read as follows:


Sec.  17.900   Definitions.

* * * * *
    Day health care means a therapeutic program prescribed by an 
approved health care provider that provides necessary medical services, 
rehabilitation, therapeutic activities, socialization, nutrition, and 
transportation services in a congregate setting. Day health care may be 
provided as a component of outpatient care or respite care.
* * * * *
    Health-related services means homemaker or home health aide 
services furnished in the individual's home or other place of residence 
to the extent that those services provide assistance with Activities of 
Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living that have 
therapeutic value.
* * * * *
    Home health aide services is a component of health-related services 
providing personal care and related support services to an individual 
in the home or other place of residence. Home health aide services may 
include assistance with Activities of Daily Living such as: Bathing; 
toileting; eating; dressing; aid in ambulating or transfers; active and 
passive exercises; assistance with medical equipment; and routine 
health monitoring. Home health aide services must be provided according 
to the individual's written plan of care and must be prescribed by an 
approved health care provider.
    Homemaker services is a component of health-related services 
encompassing certain activities that help to maintain a safe, healthy 
environment for an individual in the home or other place of residence. 
Such services contribute to the prevention, delay, or reduction of risk 
of harm or hospital, nursing home, or other institutional care. 
Homemaker services include assistance with personal care; home 
management; completion of simple household tasks; nutrition, including 
menu planning and meal preparation; consumer education; and hygiene 
education. Homemaker services may include assistance with Instrumental 
Activities of Daily Living, such as: Light housekeeping; laundering; 
meal preparation; necessary services to maintain a safe and sanitary 
environment in the areas of the home used by the individual; and 
services essential to the comfort and cleanliness of the individual and 
ensuring individual safety. Homemaker services must be provided 
according to the individual's written plan of care and must be 
prescribed by an approved health care provider.
* * * * *
    Long-term care means home care, nursing home care, and respite 
care.
* * * * *
    Other place of residence includes an assisted living facility or 
residential group home.
* * * * *
    Respite care means care, including day health care, furnished by an 
approved health care provider on an intermittent basis for a limited 
period to an individual who resides primarily in a private residence 
when such care will help the individual continue residing in such 
private residence.
* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec.  17.902 by:
0
a. Revising the first three sentences of paragraph (a); and
0
b. At the end of the section, removing ``2900-0578'' from the notice of 
the Office of Management and Budget control number and adding, in its 
place, ``2900-0219''.
    The revisions read as follows:


Sec.  17.902   Preauthorization.

    (a) Preauthorization from VA is required for the following services 
or benefits under Sec. Sec.  17.900 through 17.905: Rental or purchase 
of durable medical equipment with a total rental or purchase price in 
excess of $300, respectively, day health care provided as outpatient 
care; dental services; homemaker services; outpatient mental health 
services in excess of 23 visits in a calendar year; substance abuse 
treatment; training; transplantation services; and travel (other than 
mileage at the General Services Administration rate for privately owned 
automobiles). Authorization will only be given in spina bifida cases 
where it is demonstrated that the care is medically necessary. In cases 
of other covered birth defects, authorization will only be given where 
it is demonstrated that the care is medically necessary and related to 
the covered birth defects. * * *
* * * * *
0
4. Amend Sec.  17.903 by:
0
a. In paragraph (a)(1), adding a second sentence; and
0
b. At the end of the section, removing ``2900-0578'' from the notice of 
the Office of Management and Budget control number and adding, in its 
place, ``2900-0219''.
    The addition reads as follows:


Sec.  17.903   Payment.

    (a)(1) * * * For those services or benefits covered by Sec. Sec.  
17.900 through 17.905 but not covered by CHAMPVA we will use payment 
methodologies the same or similar to those used for equivalent services 
or benefits provided to veterans.
* * * * *


Sec.  17.904  [Amended]

0
5. Amending Sec.  17.904 by, at the end of the section, removing 
``2900-0578'' from the notice of the Office of Management and Budget 
control number and adding, in its place, ``2900-0219''.

[FR Doc. 2015-11718 Filed 5-14-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P