Mike Bost
Representative for Illinois · Republican · United States
“(B) Elements.--The Secretary, in coordination with participating critical access hospitals, shall ensure that any contract, agreement, or other arrangement entered into under subparagraph (A) establishes criteria, as the Secretary considers appropriate, to ensure-- (i) the provision of timely, safe, and high-quality health care services t…”
“(B) Elements.--The Secretary, in coordination with participating critical access hospitals, shall ensure that any contract, agreement, or other arrangement entered into under subparagraph (A) establishes criteria, as the Secretary considers appropriate, to ensure-- (i) the provision of timely, safe, and high-quality health care services t…”
“(a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2306(h) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(2) If the Secretary furnishes an urn or commemorative plaque for an individual under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not provide for such individual a headstone or marker under this section, or any interment benefit under…”
“(a) In General.--Paragraph (2) of section 2306(h) of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: ``(2) If the Secretary furnishes an urn or commemorative plaque for an individual under paragraph (1), the Secretary may not provide for such individual a headstone or marker under this section, or any interment benefit under…”
“(d) Update of Information on Providers.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, through the Office of Integrated Veteran Care or successor office, shall develop a process to ensure that third party administrators regularly, not less frequently than quarterly-- (1) update their lists of communit…”
“(d) Update of Information on Providers.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, through the Office of Integrated Veteran Care or successor office, shall develop a process to ensure that third party administrators regularly, not less frequently than quarterly-- (1) update their lists of communit…”
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“``(6) On a space available basis, a covered beneficiary and a member of the family of a covered beneficiary and others who must travel a significant distance for a member of the covered beneficiary's family to receive care or services at a Department or non-Department facility.''; (3) by striking subsection (c) and redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively; (4) in subsection (d), as so redesignated-- (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``subsection (d)'' and inserting ``subsection (c)''; (B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``under subsection (b)(2)'' and inserting ``or a covered beneficiary under subsection (b)''; (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' after the semicolon; (D) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and (E) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new paragraph (5): ``(5) establishing criteria for providing access to temporary lodging facilities on a space-available basis under paragraphs (3) through (6) of subsection (b); and''; and (5) by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(e) In this section: ``(1) The term `covered beneficiary' means a member of the uniformed services.”
“``(4) On a space-available basis, a member of the family of a covered beneficiary described in paragraph (3) and others who accompany such a covered beneficiary who is receiving care or services and provide the equivalent of familial support for such beneficiary when the covered beneficiary or the family member is traveling to receive care or services at a Department or non-Department facility. ``(5) On a space-available basis, a veteran and a member of the family of a veteran and others who must travel a significant distance for a member of the veteran's family to receive care or services at a Department or non-Department facility.”
“Section 1708 of title 38, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``in connection with'' and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting ``in accordance with this section.''; (2) in subsection (b)-- (A) in paragraph (2)-- (i) by inserting ``described in paragraph (1)'' after ``family of a veteran''; and (ii) by inserting ``such'' after ``accompany''; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: ``(3) On a space-available basis, a covered beneficiary who must travel a significant distance to receive care or services at a Department or non-Department facility.”
“1395 et seq.) and the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code. (2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. SEC. 320. FISHER HOUSE AVAILABILITY.”
“(2) Results of pilot program.-- (A) In general.--Not later than one year after the submission of the final report under paragraph (1), and not less frequently than annually thereafter during the duration of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of [[Page H4575]] the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the results of the pilot program. (B) Final report.--In the final report submitted under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall include the recommendation of the Secretary for whether the pilot program should be extended or made permanent. (k) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Covered veteran.--The term ``covered veteran'' means a veteran who is enrolled in both the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.”
“(j) Reports.-- (1) Development, implementation, results, and design of pilot program.-- (A) In general.--Not less frequently than biannually during the two-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the development, implementation, results, and design of the pilot program, including information on the metrics tracked under subsection (g). (B) Final design.--One of the reports required under subparagraph (A) shall contain a description of the final design of the pilot program.”
“(h) Supplement Not Supplant.--The services provided under the pilot program shall supplement, not supplant, the services provided under the education program under section 121 of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-182; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note). (i) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program for a three-year period beginning on the commencement of the pilot program.”
“(2) Elements.--In tracking metrics under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall track information relating to-- (A) whether care received by a covered veteran is related to a service-connected disability (as defined in section 101 of title 38, United States Code); (B) the priority group under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, through which each covered veteran was enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs under such section; (C) the type of care and services provided to covered veterans; and (D) the demographics of covered veterans participating in the pilot program, including age.”
“(g) Metrics.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary shall track metrics under the pilot program, including the following: (A) The number of veterans participating in the pilot program, disaggregated by Veterans Integrated Service Network. (B) Reliance on health care services administered by the Secretary. (C) Reliance on health care services administered under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.). (D) Quality of care, including patient outcomes. (E) Cost of care. (F) Access to care, including under the designated access standards developed by the Secretary under section 1703B of title 38, United States Code. (G) Patient satisfaction. (H) Provider satisfaction. (I) Care coordination, including timely information sharing and medical documentation return.”
“(2) Notification.--If the Secretary determines that entering into contracts or agreements with private sector entities under paragraph (1) is not necessary or practicable, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives-- (A) a notification of that determination; (B) a description of the steps, if any, the Secretary has taken to attempt to enter into a contract or an agreement with a private sector entity; (C) a justification for why the Secretary has determined that such contract or agreement is not necessary or practicable; and (D) a plan for how the Secretary will carry out the pilot program without entering into a contract or an agreement with a private sector entity, including through the use of employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs or other government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or other entities.”
“(e) Use of Existing Models.--In designing the pilot program, the Secretary may use existing models used by commercial health care programs to improve access, health outcomes, quality, and customer experience and lower per capita costs. (f) Contracting With Private Sector Entities.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary, to the extent practicable, shall consider entering into contracts or agreements with private sector entities carrying out commercial health care programs for assistance in designing, implementing, and managing care and benefits under the pilot program, to include providing care coordination.”
“(d) Case Manager.--In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall assign each covered veteran participating in the pilot program a case manager responsible for-- (1) coordinating with the veteran, the primary care team of the veteran, and any relevant care coordinators already assisting the veteran to develop an individualized needs assessment for the veteran and, based on such assessment, a care coordination plan with defined treatment goals; and (2) navigating the systems of care under the laws administered by the Secretary and under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.).”
“(c) Locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in not fewer than three but not more than five Veterans Integrated Service Networks with a significant number of covered veterans and geographic diversity, including-- (1) locations that are in rural or highly rural areas, as determined through the use of the Rural-Urban Continuum Codes of the Department of Agriculture; and (2) locations that are in medically underserved communities (as defined in section 799B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p)).”
“(4) To lower costs to the Federal Government for care received by covered veterans. (5) To reduce gaps in care and duplication of services and expenses for covered veterans. (6) To improve care coordination for covered veterans, including coordination of patient information and medical records between providers and between the Department and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.”
“PILOT PROGRAM ON COORDINATION OF CARE BETWEEN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND MEDICARE PROGRAM. (a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall carry out a pilot program (in this section referred to as the ``pilot program'') to coordinate, navigate, and manage care and benefits for covered veterans. (b) Purposes of Pilot Program.--The purposes of the pilot program are as follows: (1) To improve access to health care services for covered veterans from the Department of Veterans Affairs and under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.). (2) To improve satisfaction with care received by covered veterans. (3) To improve quality of care received by covered veterans.”
“(f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the Secretary to include in the plan required by subsection (a) any technology or process that would preclude or impede the ability of a veteran to contact or schedule an appointment directly with a facility or provider through a non-online scheduling process, should the veteran choose to do so. (g) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives. (2) Fully schedule.--The term ``fully schedule'', with respect to an appointment for health care, means that the appointment booking is completed, rather than simply requested. SEC. 319.”
“(e) Implementation Reports.--Not later than each of one year and two years after the date on which the Secretary submits the plan required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the progress of the Secretary in implementing such plan, including-- (1) the costs incurred to implement the plan as of the date of the report; (2) the expected costs to complete implementation of the plan (including costs for management and technology); (3) the schedule for deployment of any capabilities developed pursuant to the plan; and (4) the goals and metrics achieved, challenges, and lessons learned in implementing the plan.”
“(c) Implementation.--Not later than two years after submitting to the appropriate committees of Congress the plan required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall fully implement the plan. (d) Coordination With Electronic Health Record Modernization Program.--In developing the plan required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure that the elements and objectives of such plan set forth under subsection (b) are developed in consideration of the deployment schedule and capabilities of the Electronic Health Record Modernization Program of the Department to ensure a smooth transition to using the tools and features under such plan as relevant and appropriate.”
“(B) Explanation of inability to implement certain objectives, features, or services.--If the Secretary determines that an objective under subparagraph (A), or any feature or service in connection with that objective, cannot be implemented or otherwise incorporated into a final product pursuant to the plan required by subsection (a), the Secretary shall include with the plan submitted under such subsection a report containing-- (i) an explanation as to why that objective, feature, or service cannot be implemented or incorporated, as the case may be; and (ii) a plan for implementing the plan required by subsection (a) without that objective, feature, or service.”
“(iii) To create a process through which all patients of the Department can telephonically speak with a scheduler who can assist the patient to determine appointment availability and can fully schedule appointments on behalf of the patient for all care furnished by the Department. (iv) To carry out such other functions, oversight, metric development and tracking, [[Page H4574]] change management, cross-Department coordination, and other related matters, including improvements to employee-facing information technology, training, and processes, as the Secretary determines appropriate as it relates to scheduling tools, functions, and operations with respect to health care appointments furnished by the Department.”
“(ii) To develop or continue the development of a self- service scheduling platform, available for use by all patients of the Department, which shall-- (I) enable such patients to view available appointments and, subject to the process described in clause (iii), fully schedule appointments for all care furnished by the Department; (II) if a referral is required for an appointment, provide a method for the patient to request a referral and subsequently book an appointment if the referral is approved; and (III) provide such patients with the ability to cancel or reschedule appointments.”
“(2) Objectives.-- (A) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that the plan required by subsection (a) addresses the following objectives: (i) To develop or continue the development of a scheduling system that enables both personnel and patients of the Department to view available appointments for care furnished by the Department, including primary care, mental health care, and all forms of specialty care.”
“(b) Elements of Plan.-- (1) In general.--The plan required by subsection (a) shall include-- (A) such actions, resources, technology, and process improvements as the Secretary determines necessary to ensure the Department achieves, in a timely manner, improved delivery of health care, access to health care, customer experience and service relating to the receipt of health care, and efficiency with respect to the delivery of health care; and (B) a proposed schedule and timeline to carry out such plan.”
“(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a plan to improve the process for scheduling appointments for health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs, including improvements for both patients and employees of the Department responsible for scheduling such appointments.”
“(e) Submission of Goals, Measures, and Materials.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than annually thereafter for the following five years, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives copies of any goals, performance measures, training materials, or outreach materials pertaining to the submission of medical documentation under this section. SEC. 318. IMPLEMENTATION OF AND REPORT ON EFFORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING.”
“(c) Training.--The Secretary may establish goals and related performance measures for the completion by non- Department entities or providers of core training related to the submission to the Secretary of medical documentation under subsection (a) and may monitor the completion of such training. (d) Outreach.--The Secretary shall ensure that communications by the Secretary with non-Department entities or providers contain clear and accurate information regarding requirements for submitting medical documentation under subsection (a) and completing the core training described in subsection (c).”
“(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that each contract, agreement, or other arrangement through which the Secretary furnishes hospital care, medical services, or extended care services to eligible veterans through non-Department of Veterans Affairs entities or providers includes clear requirements, including requirements regarding timeliness, regarding the submission of medical documentation to the Secretary after a veteran receives such care or services from the non-Department entity or provider. (b) Internal Measures.--The Secretary shall establish such goals and related performance measures for medical centers of the Department as the Secretary determines appropriate in obtaining medical documentation from non-Department entities or providers under subsection (a).”
“(2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall identify potential impacts of the Prosthetic and Rehabilitative Items and Services Formulary on-- (A) access by veterans to prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services; (B) clinician workload; (C) procurement timelines; and (D) innovation adoption. SEC. 317. IMPROVEMENT OF SUBMISSION OF MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION TO THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS BY COMMUNITY CARE PROVIDERS.”
“(b) Report.-- (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report containing a comprehensive, independent, operational, and technology assessment for the implementation of the Prosthetic and Rehabilitative Items and Services Formulary established under section 1709D of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a).”
“``(j) Report to Congress.--Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives a report describing-- ``(1) rates of compliance by the Department with national prosthetic contracts; ``(2) open market purchasing trends of the Department; ``(3) utilization of the Formulary across facilities of the Department; and ``(4) steps taken by the Department to improve enterprise procurement efficiency.''. (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1709C the following new item: ``1709D. Prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services formulary''.”
“``(3) Implementation.--The Secretary shall ensure that the system required under paragraph (1) is implemented across all medical centers of the Department by not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this section. ``(i) Program Management.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall ensure that the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service of the Department maintains adequate staffing to administer the Formulary and associated procurement programs. ``(2) Staffing included.--Staffing required under paragraph (1) shall include-- ``(A) dedicated program managers for major prosthetic product categories; and ``(B) full-time clinical staff responsible for clinical evaluations and practice recommendations.”
“``(h) Enterprise Procurement and Ordering System.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall implement an enterprise electronic ordering system for prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services furnished under this section. ``(2) Systems elements.--The system required under paragraph (1) shall-- ``(A) enable the automated ordering of items included on the Formulary; ``(B) provide visibility of contract pricing and availability across all facilities of the Department; ``(C) allow enterprise loading of nationally contracted products; ``(D) provide procurement analytics to monitor compliance with national contracts and reduce open market purchasing; and ``(E) contain all data elements required for the Federal Electronic Healthcare Record in a searchable format.”
“``(3) Prior authorization for non-formulary procurement.-- The Secretary shall establish a prior authorization process for the procurement of prosthetic and rehabilitative items that are not included on the Formulary or available through a national contract. ``(4) Open market procurement.--The Secretary shall ensure that procurement of items that are not included on the Formulary or available through a national contract is permitted only if a clinician determines the item is medically necessary. ``(g) Consideration.--In developing the Formulary, the Secretary shall consider how the approach of the Pharmacy Benefits Management Services of the Department for formulary management and medication safety can be adapted to support the efficient and effective administration of the Formulary.”
“``(e) Training.--The Secretary shall ensure the availability of training on the Formulary for clinicians and other staff of the Department. ``(f) Exceptions.-- ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a process for clinicians of the Department to request, prescribe, and furnish prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services that are not included on the Formulary when medically necessary. ``(2) Monitoring of non-formulary items and services.--The Secretary shall monitor requests and prescriptions for and the furnishing of prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services under paragraph (1)-- ``(A) to ensure that such items and services are being consistently and appropriately prescribed at all facilities of the Department; and ``(B) to determine whether such items or services should be added to the Formulary.”
“``(3) Items to be included.--In developing the Formulary, the Secretary shall rely on the best available evidence to identify which items and services should be included on the Formulary. ``(c) Publication and Communication.-- ``(1) Publication and update.--The Secretary shall publish the Formulary on a website of the Department and shall update the Formulary periodically. ``(2) Communication.--The Secretary shall communicate to veterans the contents of the Formulary and information about how to appeal decisions regarding the provision of items and services on the Formulary. ``(d) Contracts.--The Secretary shall enter into such contracts as the Secretary considers necessary to support the availability of items and services included in the Formulary.”
“Prosthetic and Rehabilitative Items and Services Formulary ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a list of prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services, which may be referred to as the `Prosthetic and Rehabilitative Items and Services Formulary' or the `Formulary', for purposes of furnishing medical services under section 1701(6)(F) of this title pursuant to section 1710 of this title. ``(b) Requirements.-- ``(1) Input.--In developing the Formulary, the Secretary shall solicit input from veterans and the public. [[Page H4573]] ``(2) Availability of items.--The Secretary shall ensure that all items and services included in the Formulary are available at or through all facilities of the Department.”
“(B) Incorporation of measures.--Definitions included under subparagraph (A) with respect to identifying social determinants of health needs shall incorporate measures for quantifying the relative severity of any such social determinant of health need identified in an individual. SEC. 316. IMPROVEMENTS TO DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS PROSTHETIC AND REHABILITATIVE ITEMS AND SERVICE. (a) Prosthetic and Rehabilitative Items and Services Formulary.-- (1) In general.--Chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1709C the following new section: ``Sec. 1709D.”
“(b) Collection of Information From Veterans Related to Social Determinants of Health.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall collect from veterans enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department of Veterans Affairs established and operated under section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, as part of routine screenings of such veterans under the laws administered by the Secretary, information related to social determinants that may factor into the health of such veterans. (2) Social determinants of health.-- (A) In general.--The information collected under paragraph (1) shall include standardized definitions for identifying social determinants of health needs identified in the ICD-10 diagnostic codes Z55 through Z63 and Z75 (as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act).”
“(xii) Transition assistance for veterans newly separated or discharged from active military, naval, air, or space service (as defined in section 101(24) of title 38, United States Code). (xiii) Assistance with utilities necessary for safe habitation. (xiv) Other services directly related to health care access, suicide prevention, homelessness prevention, food insecurity, transportation to health care, or assistance separating from military service and reentering civilian life, as expressly authorized under laws administered by the Secretary. (E) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (F) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given that term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.”
“(iv) A State, local, territorial, or Tribal health or social services agency. (v) A State public housing authority or housing finance agency. (vi) A public health information exchange or public health information network, as defined by the Secretary. (vii) A faith-based service provider. (viii) Any other similar entity, as determined by the Secretary. (D) Covered services.--The term ``covered services'' means any of the following: (i) Nutritional assistance. (ii) Housing. (iii) Health care, including preventive health intervention, chronic disease management, and behavioral health care. (iv) Transportation. (v) Job training and employment. (vi) Child development or care. (vii) Caregiving and respite care. (viii) Disability assistance. (ix) Suicide prevention. (x) Sexual assault services. (xi) Legal aid.”
“(B) Community integration platform.--The term ``community integration platform'' means an interoperable platform or network of interoperable systems used to enable the coordination, alignment, and connection of covered entities and veterans at the local level for purposes of communication, service coordination, and referral management of covered services. (C) Covered entity.--The term ``covered entity'' means any of the following entities or providers that have entered into an agreement with the Secretary to participate in the pilot program: (i) A community-based organization that-- (I) accepts referrals from health care organizations; and (II) provides covered services. (ii) A public or private health care provider organization. (iii) A public or private funded payor of health care services, including home- or community-based services.”
“(11) Limitations.--(A) The Secretary may not use the pilot program established under subsection (a) to supplant services otherwise required to be furnished by the Department under title 38, United States Code. (B) No covered entity participating in the pilot program established under subsection (a) may receive access to personally identifiable information, protected health information, or social determinants information of a veteran without the veteran's informed written consent, and such information may be used only for the specific referral or service authorized by the veteran. (12) Definitions.--In this subsection: (A) Appropriate committees of congress.--The term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.”
“(B) Report and recommendations.-- (i) In general.--Not later than four years after the commencement of the pilot program, the Comptroller General shall-- (I) submit to Congress a report on the evaluation conducted under subparagraph (A); (II) make such report publicly available; and (III) based on such evaluation, make recommendations to the Secretary on how to improve and sustain the community integration platform established or enhanced under the pilot program. (ii) Elements of report.--The report under clause (i)(I) shall include data on-- (I) what covered services under the pilot program are being utilized the most; (II) what requests for services under the pilot program cannot be met; and (III) the impact of the provision of services under the pilot program on health outcomes of veterans.”
“(10) Comptroller general evaluation, report, and recommendations.-- (A) Evaluation.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an evaluation that measures the overall impact of the community integration platform established or enhanced under the pilot program with respect to-- (i) changes in individual and population health outcomes among veterans; (ii) changes in access to health care or social services among veterans; and (iii) such other factors as the Comptroller General considers appropriate.”
“(B) Briefing on entities not selected.--Not later than 180 days after the commencement of the pilot program, and not less frequently than once every 180 days thereafter until the conclusion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall brief the appropriate committees of Congress on the covered entities that submitted an application to participate in the pilot program but were not selected for participation and the reason those entities were not selected.”
“(9) Report and briefings.-- (A) Report.--Not later than three years after the commencement of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report analyzing the needs of veterans for covered services reflected by the use of such services under the community integration platform under the pilot program, including an assessment of-- (i) the need for such services that is being met through such platform; and (ii) the need for such services that is not being met through such platform.”
“(7) Coordination and integration of programs.-- (A) Coordination with existing networks.--In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall coordinate with existing community networks. (B) Coordination and integration with state medicaid programs.--The Secretary may consult and coordinate with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and with States regarding existing Federal and State programs, but nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to administer, direct, or modify a State Medicaid program or waiver. (8) Performance benchmarks.--The Secretary shall establish performance benchmarks for the pilot program, including measures of referral completion, timeliness of service connection, and veteran-reported satisfaction.”
“(C) Tracking of information.-- (i) In general.--The Secretary shall track-- (I) the number of referrals of veterans to covered entities through the community integration platform under the pilot program; (II) the response time of covered entities to which such veterans are referred; and (III) the outcome of the initial meeting by a veteran and a covered entity to which the veteran is referred, including a description of the services that are provided to the veteran by such entity. (ii) Tracking by entities.--The Secretary may require covered entities participating in the pilot program to track the information required under clause (i) in a medium determined appropriate by the Secretary.”
“(6) Screening and tracking of participants.-- (A) In general.--The Secretary shall require veterans participating in the community integration platform under the pilot program to provide information regarding social determinants of health using the ICD-10 diagnostic codes Z55 through Z63 and Z75 (as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act) in a standardized risk assessment or screening tool and such other information as the Secretary considers necessary to administer the pilot program. (B) Informed consent.--Information collected under the pilot program with respect to a veteran shall be obtained with the informed consent of the veteran and used solely for purposes of care coordination, service delivery, or program evaluation under the pilot program.”
“(B) Review.-- (i) In general.--The Secretary shall review the applications of covered entities submitted under subparagraph (A) to ensure that the participation of such entities would be safe and appropriate for veterans participating in the pilot program. (ii) Due diligence.--In reviewing applications under clause (i), the Secretary shall conduct due diligence consistent with how [[Page H4572]] the Secretary conducts due diligence for public-private partnerships under other laws administered by the Secretary.”