Veterans Care Agreements

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amends its medical regulations to implement its authority to furnish necessary care to covered individuals through certain agreements. Section 102 of the John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act of 2018 authorizes VA to enter into agreements to furnish required care and services when such care and services are not feasibly available to certain individuals through a VA facility, a contract, or a sharing agreement. This interim final rule establishes the parameters of those agreements, to include: Establishing a certification process for providers who will furnish such care or services; establishing a methodology by which rates will be calculated for payment of care or services under an agreement; and establishing an administrative process for adjudicating disputes arising under or related to such agreements, including those pertaining to claims for payment for care or services provided under an agreement.