Improving Veterans' Healthcare Access: Setting Wait Time Limits and Boosting Transparency.
This legislation significantly enhances veterans' access to healthcare, particularly through the Community Care Program. It establishes mandatory maximum drive times and wait times; if the VA cannot meet these standards, the veteran is automatically eligible for private sector care. The bill also mandates greater transparency, requiring the VA to quickly inform veterans about their eligibility and the reasons for any denied requests, giving citizens more control over their treatment process.
Key points
Mandatory access standards are set: 20 days/30 minutes for primary care and 28 days/60 minutes for specialty care, triggering eligibility for private community care if exceeded.
The VA must notify veterans of their eligibility for community care within two business days and provide clear appeal instructions for any denial of service.
A pilot program will allow veterans immediate access to community mental health and substance use services without needing a referral or pre-authorization.
The VA is required to publicly publish monthly average wait times for appointments and transition its entire health system toward a value-based care model focused on quality outcomes.
Expired
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