2900-AP60 201610 The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 2900 Department of Veterans Affairs VA Expanded Access to Non-VA Care Through the Veterans Choice Program

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) revised its medical regulations that implement section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (hereafter referred to as "the Choice Act"), which requires VA to establish a program to furnish hospital care and medical services through eligible non-VA health care providers to eligible veterans who either cannot be seen within the wait-time goals of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) or who qualify based on their place of residence (hereafter referred to as the "Veterans Choice Program" or "the Program"). These regulatory revisions are required by the most recent amendments to the Choice Act made by the Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act of 2014, and by the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015.

]]> Economically Significant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Final Rule Stage Yes No 38 CFR 17.1505 38 CFR 17.1510 38 CFR 17.1525 38 CFR 17.1530 sec 101 Pub. L. 113-146, 128 stat 1754 sec 4005 Pub. L. 114-41, 129 stat. 443 38 U.S.C. 501 Yes

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amends its medical regulations concerning its authority for eligible veterans to receive care from non-VA entities and providers as required by certain new laws.  The Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (the Choice Act) directs VA to establish a program to furnish hospital care and medical services through non-VA care health care providers.  The Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act  defined additional criteria to determine that a veteran’s travel to a VA medical facility is an unusual or excessive burden, and the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act  added further requirements.

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Pub. L. 113-146, section 101 (38 U.S.C. 1701 note); Pub. L. 114-19, section 3(a)(2); Pub. L. 114-41, section 4005

]]> ]]> ]]> ]]> Interim Final Rule 12/01/2015 80 FR 74991 Interim Final Rule Effective 12/01/2015 Interim Final Rule Comment Period End 03/30/2016 Interim Final Rule; Correcting Amendment 04/25/2016 81 FR 24026 Final Rule 09/00/2017 No No None No No www.regulations.gov No No Kristin Cunningham Chief, Business Office (16) 2900 Department of Veterans Affairs VA 202 461-1599 kristin.cunningham@va.gov Veterans Health Administration, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington DC 20420