Maximizing Efficiency and Improving Access to Providers at the Department of Veterans Affairs Act of 2016

Summary: Maximizing Efficiency and Improving Access to Providers at the Department of Veterans Affairs Act of 2016 This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out an 18-month pilot program to increase the use of medical scribes to maximize the efficiency of physicians at VA medical facilities. A "medical scribe" is defined as a member of the medical team hired and trained to perform documentation in an electronic health record to maximize the productivity of a physician. The program shall be conducted at not fewer than five medical facilities: (1) that the VA determines have a high volume of patients; or (2) which are located in rural areas, at which there is a shortage of physicians, and each physician of which has a high caseload. To carry out such program, the VA shall enter into a contract with one or more appropriate nongovernmental entities that train and employ professional medical scribes who specialize in the collection of medical data and data entry into electronic health records.  The VA shall collect data to determine the effectiveness of the program, including information on changes in the average wait times for veterans to receive care, the average number of patients that a physician is able to see, the average amount of time such a physician spends on documentation, physician satisfaction and retention scores, and patient satisfaction scores.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Maximizing Efficiency and Improving 
Access to Providers at the Department of Veterans Affairs Act of 
2016''.

SEC. 2. PILOT PROGRAM ON INCREASING THE USE OF MEDICAL SCRIBES TO 
              MAXIMIZE THE EFFICIENCY OF PHYSICIANS AT MEDICAL 
              FACILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

    (a) In General.--Commencing not later than 120 days after the date 
of the enactment of the Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
carry out a pilot program to increase the use of medical scribes to 
maximize the efficiency of physicians at medical facilities of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (b) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program 
during the eighteen-month period beginning on the date of the 
commencement of the pilot program.
    (c) Locations.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at 
not fewer than five medical facilities of the Department--
            (1) at which the Secretary has determined there is a high 
        volume of patients; or
            (2) that are located in rural areas and at which the 
        Secretary has determined there is a shortage of physicians and 
        each physician has a high caseload.
    (d) Contracts.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the pilot program, the 
        Secretary shall enter into a contract with one or more 
        appropriate nongovernmental entities described in paragraph 
        (2).
            (2) Appropriate nongovernmental entities described.--An 
        appropriate nongovernmental entity described in this paragraph 
        is an entity that trains and employs professional medical 
        scribes who specialize in the collection of medical data and 
        data entry into electronic health records.
    (e) Collection of Data.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall collect data on the 
        pilot program to determine the effectiveness of the pilot 
        program in increasing the efficiency of physicians at medical 
        facilities of the Department.
            (2) Elements.--The data collected under paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following with respect to each medical facility 
        participating in the pilot program:
                    (A) The average wait time for a veteran to receive 
                care from a physician at such medical facility before 
                implementation of the pilot program.
                    (B) The average wait time for a veteran to receive 
                care from such a physician after implementation of the 
                pilot program.
                    (C) The average number of patients that such a 
                physician is able to see on a daily basis before 
                implementation of the pilot program.
                    (D) The average number of patients that such a 
                physician is able to see on a daily basis after 
                implementation of the pilot program.
                    (E) The average amount of time such a physician 
                spends on documentation on a daily basis before 
                implementation of the pilot program.
                    (F) The average amount of time such a physician 
                spends on documentation on a daily basis after 
                implementation of the pilot program.
                    (G) The satisfaction and retention scores of each 
                such physician before implementation of the pilot 
                program.
                    (H) The satisfaction and retention scores of each 
                such physician after implementation of the pilot 
                program.
                    (I) The patient satisfaction scores for each such 
                physician before implementation of the pilot program.
                    (J) The patient satisfaction scores for each such 
                physician after implementation of the pilot program.
                    (K) The patient satisfaction scores for their 
                health care experience before implementation of the 
                pilot program.
                    (L) The patient satisfaction scores for their 
                health care experience after implementation of the 
                pilot program.
    (f) Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        commencement of the pilot program, and not less frequently than 
        once every 180 days thereafter for the duration of the pilot 
        program, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the 
        pilot program.
            (2) Elements.--Each report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) The number of medical facilities of the 
                Department that are participating in the pilot program.
                    (B) With respect to each such medical facility, an 
                assessment of the effects that participation in the 
                pilot program has had on the following--
                            (i) Maximizing the efficiency of physicians 
                        at such medical facility.
                            (ii) Reducing average wait times for 
                        appointments.
                            (iii) Improving access of patients to 
                        electronic medical records.
                            (iv) Mitigating physician shortages by 
                        increasing the productivity of physicians.
                    (C) All data collected under subsection (e).
                    (D) Such recommendations as the Secretary may have 
                with respect to the extension or expansion of the pilot 
                program.
    (g) Medical Scribe Defined.--In this section, the term ``medical 
scribe'' means a member of the medical team hired and trained 
specifically and exclusively to perform documentation in an electronic 
health record to maximize the productivity of a physician.