[114th Congress Public Law 218]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 841]]
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS DENTAL INSURANCE REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF
2016
[[Page 130 STAT. 842]]
Public Law 114-218
114th Congress
An Act
To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide a dental insurance
plan to veterans and survivors and dependents of veterans. <<NOTE: July
29, 2016 - [S. 3055]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Department of
Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2016. 38 USC
101 note.>>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Veterans Affairs Dental
Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2016''.
SEC. 2. DENTAL INSURANCE PLAN FOR VETERANS AND SURVIVORS AND
DEPENDENTS OF VETERANS.
(a) Dental Insurance Plan.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter II of chapter 17 of title 38,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1712B
the following new section:
``Sec. 1712C. <<NOTE: 38 USC 1712C.>> Dental insurance plan for
veterans and survivors and dependents of
veterans
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish and administer a
dental insurance plan for veterans and survivors and dependents of
veterans described in subsection (b).
``(b) Covered Veterans and Survivors and Dependents.--The veterans
and survivors and dependents of veterans described in this subsection
are as follows:
``(1) Any veteran who is enrolled in the system of annual
patient enrollment under section 1705 of this title.
``(2) Any survivor or dependent of a veteran who is eligible
for medical care under section 1781 of this title.
``(c) <<NOTE: Contracts.>> Administration.--The Secretary shall
contract with a dental insurer to administer the dental insurance plan
under this section.
``(d) Benefits.--The dental insurance plan under this section shall
provide such benefits for dental care and treatment as the Secretary
considers appropriate for the dental insurance plan, including
diagnostic services, preventative services, endodontics and other
restorative services, surgical services, and emergency services.
``(e) Enrollment.--(1) Enrollment in the dental insurance plan under
this section shall be voluntary.
``(2) Enrollment in the dental insurance plan shall be for such
minimum period as the Secretary shall prescribe for purposes of this
section.
``(f) Premiums.--(1) Premiums for coverage under the dental
insurance plan under this section shall be in such amount or
[[Page 130 STAT. 843]]
amounts as the Secretary shall prescribe to cover all costs associated
with carrying out this section.
``(2) The Secretary shall adjust the premiums payable under this
section for coverage under the dental insurance plan on an annual
basis. <<NOTE: Notification.>> Each individual covered by the dental
insurance plan at the time of such an adjustment shall be notified of
the amount and effective date of such adjustment.
``(3) Each individual covered by the dental insurance plan shall pay
the entire premium for coverage under the dental insurance plan, in
addition to the full cost of any copayments.
``(g) Voluntary Disenrollment.--(1) With respect to enrollment in
the dental insurance plan under this section, the Secretary shall--
``(A) <<NOTE: Effective date. Time period.>> permit the
voluntary disenrollment of an individual in the dental insurance
plan if the disenrollment occurs during the 30-day period
beginning on the date of the enrollment of the individual in the
dental insurance plan; and
``(B) permit the voluntary disenrollment of an individual in
the dental insurance plan for such circumstances as the
Secretary shall prescribe for purposes of this subsection, but
only to the extent such disenrollment does not jeopardize the
fiscal integrity of the dental insurance plan.
``(2) The circumstances prescribed under paragraph (1)(B) shall
include the following:
``(A) If an individual enrolled in the dental insurance plan
relocates to a location outside the jurisdiction of the dental
insurance plan that prevents use of the benefits under the
dental insurance plan.
``(B) If an individual enrolled in the dental insurance plan
is prevented by a serious medical condition from being able to
obtain benefits under the dental insurance plan.
``(C) Such other circumstances as the Secretary shall
prescribe for purposes of this subsection.
``(3) <<NOTE: Procedures. Determinations.>> The Secretary shall
establish procedures for determinations on the permissibility of
voluntary disenrollments under paragraph (1)(B). Such procedures shall
ensure timely determinations on the permissibility of such
disenrollments.
``(h) Relationship to Dental Care Provided by Secretary.--Nothing in
this section shall affect the responsibility of the Secretary to provide
dental care under section 1712 of this title, and the participation of
an individual in the dental insurance plan under this section shall not
affect the entitlement of the individual to outpatient dental services
and treatment, and related dental appliances, under such section 1712.
``(i) Regulations.--The dental insurance plan under this section
shall be administered under such regulations as the Secretary shall
prescribe.
``(j) Termination.--This section terminates on December 31, 2021.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 17 of such title <<NOTE: 38 USC prec.
1701.>> is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 1712B the following new item:
``1712C. Dental insurance plan for veterans and survivors and dependents
of veterans.''.
(b) Conforming Repeal.--
[[Page 130 STAT. 844]]
(1) <<NOTE: Repeal.>> In general.--Section 510 of the
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010
(Public Law 111-163; 38 U.S.C. 1712 note) is repealed.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents for the
Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 is
amended by striking the item relating to section 510.
Approved July 29, 2016.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 3055:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 162 (2016):
July 13, considered and passed Senate.
July 14, considered and passed House.
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