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VA RIN: 2900-AQ30 Publication ID: Spring 2018 
Title: ●Modifying Copayments for At Risk Veterans 
Abstract:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its medical regulations that govern copayments for outpatient medical care and medications by eliminating the copayment for outpatient care and the increased medication copayment for at risk veterans. VA’s program for suicide prevention includes strong recommendations for increased contacts with mental health providers for patients at risk for suicide. Where relevant, increased contacts with providers for pain management services are also important. However, veterans concerned about increased copayments may resist additional encounters. Moreover, VA has noted that there are substantial numbers of veterans who are at risk of suicide by overdosing from VA prescribed medications. By dispensing smaller amounts of certain medications at each occasion for dispensing, VA would be proactive in decreasing the risk of suicide in the veteran population. However, veterans concerned about the increased copayments from more frequent dispensing of lower amounts of medication may resist these changes. To facilitate suicide prevention, VA proposes to eliminate the outpatient care copayment and the increase in medication copayments for veterans who present a risk of suicide when the frequency of encounters for mental health or pain management or the number of times medications are dispensed are increased as part of VA’s response to their risk of suicide.

 
Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs(VA)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
EO 13771 Designation: Other 
CFR Citation: 38 CFR 17.108    38 CFR 17.110   
Legal Authority: 38 U.S.C. 1710(g)    38 U.S.C. 1722A   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  10/00/2018 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Kathleen Lysell
National Mental Health Director for Informatics
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20420
Phone:808 433-0045
Email: kathleen.lysell@va.gov