Approval Criteria for Rates Charged for Community Residential Care

The Department of Affairs (VA) adopts as final, with changes, a proposed rule amending its regulation governing standards applicable to a community residential care facility (CRC) approved by VA. This rule also addresses the amount that a veteran may be charged for residence in a CRC and how VA determines whether that rate is appropriate. The cost of community residential care is financed by the veteran's own resources, and the resident or an authorized personal representative and a representative of the CRC must agree upon the charge and payment procedures for community residential care. VA reviews and has approval authority over this agreement. The rule amends and updates the criteria VA uses to determine whether the rate for care charged to a veteran residing in an approved CRC is appropriate, clarifying how VA determines whether a CRC rate should be approved, consistent with current VA practice. In addition, this rulemaking defines in regulation the level of care that must be provided to a veteran residing in a CRC.