Title 38—Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief--Volume 1
PART 17—MEDICAL
§ 17.1   Incorporation by reference.
(a) Certain materials are incorporated by reference into this part with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To enforce an edition of a publication other than that specified in this section, VA will provide notice of the change in a rule in the Federal Register and the material will be made available to the public. All approved materials are available for inspection at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Regulation Policy and Management (02REG), 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420, call 202-461-4902, or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of approved materials at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html .
(b) National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269. (For ordering information, call toll-free 1-800-344-3555).
(1) NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers (2010 edition), Incorporation by Reference (IBR) approved for §§ 17.63, 17.74, and 17.81.
(2) NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems (2010 edition), IBR approved for § 17.74.
(3) NFPA 13D, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes (2010 edition), IBR approved for § 17.74.
(4) NFPA 13R, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies Up To and Including Four Stories in Height (2010 edition), IBR approved for § 17.74.
(5) NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems (2011 edition), IBR approved for § 17.74.
(6) NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code (2012 edition), IBR approved for § 17.74.
(7) NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code (2010 edition), IBR approved for § 17.74.
(8) NFPA 101, Life Safety Code (2012 edition), IBR approved for §§ 17.63, 17.74 (chapters 1 through 11, 24, and section 33.7), 17.81, and 17.82.
(9) NFPA 101A, Guide on Alternative Approaches to Life Safety (2010 edition), IBR approved for § 17.63.
(10) NFPA 720, Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detection and Warning Equipment (2012 edition), IBR approved for § 17.74.
§ 17.30   Definitions.
When used in Department of Veterans Affairs medical regulations, each of the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed to it in this section:
(a) Medical services. The term medical services includes the following:
(1) Medical examination, treatment, and rehabilitative services (as defined in 38 U.S.C. 1701(8)).
(2) Surgical services, dental services and appliances as authorized in §§ 17.160 through 17.166, optometric and podiatric services, chiropractic services, preventive health care services set forth in 38 U.S.C. 1701(9), noninstitutional extended care, and items and services as authorized in §§ 17.3200 through 17.3250.
(3) Consultation, professional counseling, marriage and family counseling, training, and mental health services for the members of the immediate family or legal guardian of the veteran or the individual in whose household the veteran certifies an intention to live, as necessary in connection with the veteran's treatment.
(4) Transportation and incidental expenses for any person entitled to such benefits under the provisions of § 70.10 of this chapter.
(b) Domiciliary care. The term domiciliary care—
(1) Means the furnishing of:
(i) A temporary home to a veteran, embracing the furnishing of shelter, food, clothing and other comforts of home, including necessary medical services; or
(ii) A day hospital program consisting of intensive supervised rehabilitation and treatment provided in a therapeutic residential setting for residents with mental health or substance use disorders, and co-occurring medical or psychosocial needs such as homelessness and unemployment.
(2) Includes travel and incidental expenses pursuant to § 70.10.
§ 17.31   Duty periods defined.
Definitions of duty periods applicable to eligibility for medical benefits are as follows:
(a) Active military, naval, or air service includes:
(1) Active duty.
(2) Any period of active duty for training during which the individual was disabled from a disease or injury incurred or aggravated in line of duty.
(3) Any period of inactive duty training during which the individual was disabled from an injury incurred or aggravated in line of duty.
(4) Any period of inactive duty training during which the individual was disabled from an acute myocardial infarction, a cardiac arrest, or a cerebrovascular accident which occurred during such period of inactive duty training.
(b) Active duty means:
(1) Full-time duty in the Armed Forces, other than active duty for training.
(2) Full-time duty, other than for training purposes, as a commissioned officer of the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service during the following dates:
(i) On or after July 29, 1945;
(ii) Before July 29, 1945, under circumstances affording entitlement to full military benefits; or
(3) Full-time duty as a commissioned officer of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or its predecessor organizations, the Coast and Geodetic Survey or the Environmental Science Services Administration, during the following dates:
(i) On or after July 29, 1945;
(ii) Before July 29, 1945, under the following circumstances:
(A) While on transfer to one of the Armed Forces;
(B) While, in time of war or national emergency declared by the President, assigned to duty on a project for one of the Armed Forces in an area determined by the Secretary of Defense to be of immediate military hazard; or
(C) In the Philippine Islands on December 7, 1941, and continuously in such islands thereafter; or
(4) Service as a cadet at the U.S. Military, Air Force, or Coast Guard Academy, or as a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy.
(5) Service in Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). Recognized effective March 18, 1980.
(6) Service of any person in a group the members of which rendered service to the Armed Forces of the United States in a capacity considered civilian employment or contractual service at the time such service was rendered, if the Secretary of Defense:
(i) Determines that the service of such group constituted active military service; and
(ii) Issues to each member of such group a discharge from such service under honorable conditions where the nature and duration of the service of such member so warrants.
(7) Service in American Merchant Marine in Oceangoing Service any time during the period December 7, 1941, to August 15, 1945. Recognized effective January 19, 1988.
(8) Service by the approximately 50 Chamorro and Carolinian former native policemen who received military training in the Donnal area of central Saipan and were placed under the command of Lt. Casino of the 6th Provisional Military Police Battalion to accompany U.S. Marines on active, combat-patrol activity any time during the period August 19, 1945, to September 2, 1945. Recognized effective September 30, 1999.
(9) Service by Civilian Crewmen of the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (USCGS) vessels, who performed their service in areas of immediate military hazard while conducting cooperative operations with and for the U.S. Armed Forces any time during the period December 7, 1941, to August 15, 1945. Qualifying USCGS vessels specified by the Secretary of the Air Force are the Derickson, Explorer, Gilbert, Hilgard, E. Lester Jones, Lydonia, Patton, Surveyor, Wainwright, Westdahl, Oceanographer, Hydrographer, or Pathfinder. Recognized effective April 8, 1991.
(10) Service by Civilian Employees of Pacific Naval Air Bases who actively participated in Defense of Wake Island during World War II. Recognized effective January 22, 1981.
(11) Service by Civilian Navy Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Technicians who served in the Combat Areas of the Pacific any time during the period December 7, 1941, to August 15, 1945. Recognized effective August 2, 1988.
(12) Service by Civilian personnel assigned to the Secret Intelligence Element of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Recognized effective December 27, 1982.
(13) Service by Engineer Field Clerks (World War I). Recognized effective August 31, 1979.
(14) Service by Guam Combat Patrol. Recognized effective May 10, 1983.
(15) Service by Honorably discharged members of the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) who served any time during the period December 7, 1941, to July 18, 1942. Recognized effective May 3, 1991.
(16) Service by Honorably discharged members of the American Volunteer Guard, Eritrea Service Command who served any time during the period June 21, 1942, to March 31, 1943. Recognized effective June 29, 1992.
(17) Service by Male Civilian Ferry Pilots. Recognized effective July 17, 1981.
(18) Service with the Operational Analysis Group of the Office of Scientific Research and Development, Office of Emergency Management, which served overseas with the U.S. Army Air Corps any time during the period December 7, 1941, to August 15, 1945. Recognized effective August 27, 1999.
(19) Service by Quartermaster Corps Female Clerical Employees serving with the American Expeditionary Forces in World War II. Recognized effective January 22, 1981.
(20) Service by Quartermaster Corps Keswick Crew on Corregidor (World War II). Recognized effective February 7, 1984.
(21) Service by Reconstruction Aides and Dietitians in World War I. Recognized effective July 6, 1981.
(22) Service by Signal Corps Female Telephone Operators Unit of World War I. Recognized effective May 15, 1979.
(23) Service by three scouts/guides, Miguel Tenorio, Penedicto Taisacan, and Cristino Dela Cruz, who assisted the U.S. Marines in the offensive operations against the Japanese on the Northern Mariana Islands from June 19, 1944, through September 2, 1945. Recognized effective September 30, 1999.
(24) Service by U.S. civilian employees of American Airlines who served overseas as a result of American Airlines' Contract with the Air Transport Command any time during the period December 14, 1941, to August 14, 1945. Recognized effective October 5, 1990.
(25) Service by U.S. civilian female employees of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps while serving in the Defense of Bataan and Corregidor any time during the period January 2, 1942, to February 3, 1945. Recognized effective December 13, 1993.
(26) Service by U.S. Civilian Flight Crew and Aviation Ground Support Employees of Braniff Airways, who served overseas in the North Atlantic or under the jurisdiction of the North Atlantic Wing, Air Transport Command (ATC), as a result of a Contract with the ATC any time during the period February 26, 1942, to August 14, 1945. Recognized effective June 2, 1997.
(27) Service by U.S. Civilian Flight Crew and Aviation Ground Support Employees of Consolidated Vultree Aircraft Corporation (Consairway Division), who served overseas as a result of a Contract with the Air Transport Command any time during the period December 14, 1941, to August 14, 1945. Recognized effective June 29, 1992.
(28) Service by U.S. Flight Crew and Aviation Ground Support Employees of Northeast Airlines Atlantic Division, who served overseas as a result of Northeast Airlines' Contract with the Air Transport Command any time during the period December 7, 1941, to August 14, 1945. Recognized effective June 2, 1997.
(29) Service by U.S. Civilian Flight Crew and Aviation Ground Support Employees of Northwest Airlines, who served overseas as a result of Northwest Airlines' Contract with the Air Transport Command any time during the period December 14, 1941, to August 14, 1945. Recognized effective December 13, 1993.
(30) Service by U.S. Civilian Flight Crew and Aviation Ground Support Employees of Pan American World Airways and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, who served overseas as a result of Pan American's Contract with the Air Transport Command and Naval Air Transport Service any time during the period December 14, 1941, to August 14, 1945. Recognized effective July 16, 1992.
(31) Service by U.S. Civilian Flight Crew and Aviation Ground Support Employees of Transcontinental and Western Air (TWA), Inc., who served overseas as a result of TWA's Contract with the Air Transport Command any time during the period December 14, 1941, to August 14, 1945. The “Flight Crew” includes pursers. Recognized effective May 13, 1992.
(32) Service by U.S. Civilian Flight Crew and Aviation Ground Support Employees of United Air Lines (UAL), who served overseas as a result of UAL's Contract with the Air Transport Command any time during the period December 14, 1941, to August 14, 1945. Recognized effective May 13, 1992.
(33) Service by U.S. civilian volunteers who actively participated in the Defense of Bataan. Recognized effective February 7, 1984.
(34) Service by U.S. civilians of the American Field Service (AFS) who served overseas operationally in World War I any time during the period August 31, 1917, to January 1, 1918. Recognized effective August 30, 1990.
(35) Service by U.S. civilians of the American Field Service (AFS) who served overseas under U.S. Armies and U.S. Army Groups in World War II any time during the period December 7, 1941, to May 8, 1945. Recognized effective August 30, 1990.
(36) Service by U.S. Merchant Seamen who served on blockships in support of Operation Mulberry. Recognized effective October 18, 1985.
(37) Service by Wake Island Defenders from Guam. Recognized effective April 7, 1982.
(38) Service by Women's Air Forces Service Pilots (WASP). Recognized effective November 23, 1977.
(39) Service by persons who were injured while providing aerial transportation of mail and serving under conditions set forth in Public Law 73-140.
(40) Service in the Alaska Territorial Guard during World War II, for any person who the Secretary of Defense determines was honorably discharged.
(41) Service by Army field clerks.
(42) Service by Army Nurse Corps, Navy Nurse Corps, and female dietetic and physical therapy personnel as follows:
(i) Female Army and Navy nurses on active service under order of the service department; or
(ii) Female dietetic and physical therapy personnel, excluding students and apprentices, appointed with relative rank after December 21, 1942, or commissioned after June 21, 1944.
(43) Service by students who were enlisted men in Aviation camps during World War I.
(44) Active service in the Coast Guard after January 28, 1915, while under the jurisdiction of the Treasury Department, the Navy Department, the Department of Transportation, or the Department of Homeland Security. This does not include temporary members of the Coast Guard Reserves.
(45) Service by contract surgeons if the disability was the result of injury or disease contracted in the line of duty during a period of war while actually performing the duties of assistant surgeon or acting assistant surgeon with any military force in the field, or in transit, or in a hospital.
(46) Service by field clerks of the Quartermaster Corps.
(47) Service by lighthouse service personnel who were transferred to the service and jurisdiction of the War or Navy Departments by Executive Order under the Act of August 29, 1916. Effective July 1, 1939, service was consolidated with the Coast Guard.
(48) Service by male nurses who were enlisted in a Medical Corps.
(49) Service by persons having a pensionable or compensable status before January 1, 1959.
(50) Service by a Commonwealth Army veteran or new Philippine Scout, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 1735, who resides in the United States and is a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence; service by Regular Philippine Scouts and service in the Insular Force of the Navy, Samoan Native Guard, or Samoan Native Band of the Navy.
(51) Service with the Revenue Cutter Service while serving under direction of the Secretary of the Navy in cooperation with the Navy. Effective January 28, 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service was merged into the Coast Guard.
(52) Service during World War I in the Russian Railway Service Corps as certified by the Secretary of the Army.
(53) Service by members of training camps authorized by section 54 of the National Defense Act (Pub. L. 64-85, 39 Stat. 166), except for members of Student Army Training Corps Camps at the Presidio of San Francisco; Plattsburg, New York; Fort Sheridan, Illinois; Howard University, Washington, DC; Camp Perry, Ohio; and Camp Hancock, Georgia, from July 18, 1918, to September 16, 1918.
(54) Service in the Women's Army Corps (WAC) after June 30, 1943.
(55) Service in the Women's Reserve of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
(56) Effective July 28, 1959, service by a veteran who was discharged for alienage during a period of hostilities unless evidence affirmatively shows the veteran was discharged at his or her own request. A veteran who was discharged for alienage after a period of hostilities and whose service was honest and faithful is not barred from benefits if he or she is otherwise entitled. A discharge changed prior to January 7, 1957, to honorable by a board established under 10 U.S.C. 1552 and 1553 will be considered as evidence that the discharge was not at the alien's request.
(57) Attendance at the preparatory schools of the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Military Academy, or the United States Naval Academy for enlisted active duty members who are reassigned to a preparatory school without a release from active duty, and for other individuals who have a commitment to active duty in the Armed Forces that would be binding upon disenrollment from the preparatory school.
(58) For purposes of providing medical care under chapter 17 for a service-connected disability, service by any person who has suffered an injury or contracted a disease in line of duty while en route to or from, or at, a place for final acceptance or entry upon active duty and:
(i) Who has applied for enlistment or enrollment in the active military, naval, or air service and has been provisionally accepted and directed or ordered to report to a place for final acceptance into such service;
(ii) Who has been selected or drafted for service in the Armed Forces and has reported pursuant to the call of the person's local draft board and before rejection; or
(iii) Who has been called into the Federal service as a member of the National Guard, but has not been enrolled for the Federal service.
Note to paragraph (b)(58): The injury or disease must be due to some factor relating to compliance with proper orders. Draftees and selectees are included when reporting for preinduction examination or for final induction on active duty. Such persons are not included for injury or disease suffered during the period of inactive duty, or period of waiting, after a final physical examination and prior to beginning the trip to report for induction. Members of the National Guard are included when reporting to a designated rendezvous.
(59) Authorized travel to or from such duty or service, as described in this section.
(60) The period of time immediately following the date an individual is discharged or released from a period of active duty, as determined by the Secretary concerned to have been required for that individual to proceed to that individual's home by the most direct route, and in any event until midnight of the date of such discharge or release.
(c) Active duty for training means:
(1) Full-time duty in the Armed Forces performed by Reserves for training purposes.
(2) Full-time duty for training purposes performed as a commissioned officer of the Reserve Corps of the Public Health service during the period covered in paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
(3) In the case of members of the Army National Guard or Air National Guard of any State, full-time duty under sections 316, 502, 503, 504, or 505 of title 32 U.S.C., or the prior corresponding provisions of law.
(4) Duty performed by a member of a Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program when ordered to such duty for the purpose of training or a practice cruise under chapter 103 of title 10 U.S.C. for a period of not less than four weeks and which must be completed by the member before the member is commissioned.
(5) Attendance at the preparatory schools of the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Military Academy, or the United States Naval Academy by an individual who enters the preparatory school directly from the Reserves, National Guard or civilian life, unless the individual has a commitment to service on active duty which would be binding upon disenrollment from the preparatory school.
(6) Authorized travel to or from such duty as described in paragraph (c) of this section if an individual, when authorized or required by competent authority, assumes an obligation to perform active duty for training and is disabled from an injury, acute myocardial infarction, a cardiac arrest, or a cerebrovascular accident incurred while proceeding directly to or returning directly from such active duty for training. Authorized travel should take into account:
(i) The hour on which such individual began so to proceed or to return;
(ii) The hour on which such individual was scheduled to arrive for, or on which such individual ceased to perform, such duty;
(iii) The method of travel employed;
(iv) The itinerary;
(v) The manner in which the travel was performed; and
(vi) The immediate cause of disability.
( Note to paragraph (c)(6): Active duty for training does not include duty performed as a temporary member of the Coast Guard Reserve.)
(d) Inactive duty training means:
(1) Duty (other than full-time duty) prescribed for Reserves (including commissioned officers of the Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service) by the Secretary concerned under section 206, title 37 U.S.C., or any other provision of law;
(2) Special additional duties authorized for Reserves (including commissioned officers of the Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service) by an authority designated by the Secretary concerned and performed by them on a voluntary basis in connection with the prescribed training or maintenance activities of the units to which they are assigned.
(3) Duty (other than full-time duty) for members of the National Guard or Air National Guard of any State under the provisions of law stated in paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
(4) Training (other than active duty for training) by a member of, or applicant for membership (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 8140(g)) in, the Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps prescribed under chapter 103 of title 10 U.S.C.
(5) Inactive duty for training does not include work or study performed in connection with correspondence courses, or attendance at an educational institution in an inactive status, or duty performed as a temporary member of the Coast Guard Reserve.
(6) Travel to or from such duty as described in this paragraph (d) if an individual, when authorized or required by competent authority, assumes an obligation to perform inactive duty training and is disabled from an injury, acute myocardial infarction, a cardiac arrest, or a cerebrovascular accident incurred while proceeding directly to or returning directly from such inactive duty training. Authorized travel should take into account:
(i) The hour on which such individual began so to proceed or to return;
(ii) The hour on which such individual was scheduled to arrive for, or on which such individual ceased to perform, such duty;
(iii) The method of travel employed;
(iv) The itinerary;
(v) The manner in which the travel was performed; and
(vi) The immediate cause of disability.
§ 17.32   Informed consent and advance directives.
(a) Definitions. The following definitions are applicable for purposes of this section:
Advance directive. A written statement by a person who has decision-making capacity regarding preferences about future health care decisions if that person becomes unable to make those decisions, in any of the following:
(i) Durable power of attorney for health care. A durable power of attorney for health care (DPAHC) is a type of advance directive in which an individual designates another person as an agent to make health care decisions on the individual's behalf.
(ii) Living will. A living will is a type of advance directive in which an individual documents personal preferences regarding future treatment options. A living will typically includes preferences about life-sustaining treatment, but it may also include preferences about other types of health care.
(iii) Mental health (or psychiatric) advance directive. A mental health or psychiatric advance directive is executed by patients whose future decision-making capacity is at risk due to mental illness. In this type of directive, the individual indicates future mental health treatment preferences.
(iv) State-authorized advance directive. A state-authorized advance directive is a non-VA DPAHC, living will, mental health directive, or other advance directive document that is legally recognized by a state. The validity of state-authorized advance directives is determined pursuant to applicable state law. For the purposes of this section, “applicable state law” means the law of the state where the advance directive was signed, the state where the patient resided when the advance directive was signed, the state where the patient now resides, or the state where the patient is receiving treatment. VA will resolve any conflict between those state laws regarding the validity of the advance directive by following the law of the state that gives effect to the wishes expressed by the patient in the advance directive.
(v) Department of Defense (DoD) advance medical directive. A DoD advance medical directive is executed for members of the armed services or military dependents pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 1044C. It may include a durable power of attorney for health care or a living will. Federal law exempts such advance directives from any requirement of form, substance, formality, or recording that is provided for under the laws of an individual state. Federal law requires that this type of advance directive be given the same legal effect as an advance directive prepared and executed in accordance with the laws of the state concerned.
(vi) VA Advance Directive. A VA Advance Directive is completed on a form specified by VA. In VA, this form can be used by patients to designate a health care agent and to document treatment preferences, including medical care, surgical care, and mental health care.
Close friend. Any person eighteen years or older who has shown care and concern for the welfare of the patient, who is familiar with the patient's activities, health, religious beliefs and values, and who has presented a signed written statement for the record that describes that person's relationship to and familiarity with the patient.
Decision-making capacity. The ability to understand and appreciate the nature and consequences of health care treatment decisions, and the ability to formulate a judgment and communicate a clear decision concerning health care treatments
Health care agent. An individual named by the patient in a durable power of attorney for health care (DPAHC) to make health care decisions on the patient's behalf, including decisions regarding the use of life-sustaining treatments, when the patient can no longer do so.
Legal guardian. A person appointed by a court of appropriate jurisdiction to make decisions, including medical decisions, for an individual who has been judicially determined to be incompetent.
Practitioner. A practitioner is any physician, dentist, or health care professional granted specific clinical privileges to perform the treatment or procedure. The term practitioner also includes:
(i) Medical and dental residents, regardless of whether they have been granted specific clinical privileges; and
(ii) Other health care professionals whose scope of practice agreement or other formal delineation of job responsibility specifically permits them to obtain informed consent, and who are appropriately trained and authorized to perform the procedure or to provide the treatment for which consent is being obtained.
Signature consent. The documentation of informed consent with the signature of the patient or surrogate and practitioner on a form prescribed by VA for that purpose.
State-authorized portable orders. Specialized forms or identifiers ( e.g., Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) bracelets or necklaces) authorized by state law or a state medical board or association, that translate a patient's preferences with respect to life-sustaining treatment decisions into standing portable medical orders.
Surrogate. An individual authorized under this section to make health care decisions on behalf of a patient who lacks decision-making capacity. The term includes a health care agent, legal guardian, next-of-kin, or close friend.
(b) Informed consent. Patients receiving health care from VA have the right to accept or refuse any medical treatment or procedure recommended to them. Except as otherwise provided in this section, no medical treatment or procedure may be performed without the prior, voluntary informed consent of the patient.
(1) In order to give informed consent, the patient must have decision-making capacity.
(2) In the event that the patient lacks decision-making capacity, the requirements of this section are applicable to consent for treatments or procedures obtained from a surrogate acting on behalf of the patient.
(c) General requirements for informed consent. Informed consent is the process by which the practitioner discloses to and discusses appropriate information with a patient so that the patient may make a voluntary choice about whether to accept the proposed diagnostic or therapeutic procedure or course of treatment. Appropriate information is information that a reasonable person in the patient's situation would expect to receive in order to make an informed choice about whether or not to undergo the treatment or procedure. (Appropriate information includes tests that yield information that is extremely sensitive or that may have a high risk of significant consequence ( e.g., physical, social, psychological, legal, or economic) that a reasonable person would want to know and consider as part of his or her consent decision.) The specific information and level of detail required will vary depending on the nature of the treatment or procedure.
(1) The informed consent discussion should be conducted in person with the patient whenever practical. If it is impractical to conduct the discussion in person, or the patient expresses a preference for communication through another modality, the discussion may be conducted by telephone, through video conference, or by other VA-approved electronic communication methods.
(2) The practitioner must explain in language understandable to the patient each of the following, as appropriate to the treatment or procedure in question: The nature of the proposed procedure or treatment; expected benefits; reasonably foreseeable associated risks, complications or side effects; reasonable and available alternatives; and anticipated results if nothing is done.
(3) The patient must be given the opportunity to ask questions, to indicate comprehension of the information provided, and to grant or withhold consent freely without coercion.
(4) The practitioner must advise the patient if the proposed treatment is novel or unorthodox.
(5) The patient may withhold or revoke consent at any time.
(6) Trained personnel may conduct elements of the informed consent process when delegated by the practitioner. However, the practitioner remains responsible for the informed consent process and must personally verify with the patient that the patient has been fully informed and voluntarily consents to the treatment or procedure.
(7) Practitioners may provide necessary medical care in emergency situations without the express consent of the patient when all of the following apply:
(i) Immediate medical care is necessary to preserve life or prevent serious impairment of the health of the patient.
(ii) The patient is unable to consent.
(iii) The practitioner determines that the patient has no surrogate or that waiting to obtain consent from the surrogate would increase the hazard to the life or health of the patient.
(d) Documentation of informed consent. (1) The informed consent process must be appropriately documented in the health record. For treatments and procedures that are low risk and within broadly accepted standards of medical practice, a progress note describing the clinical encounter and the treatment plan are sufficient to document that informed consent was obtained for such treatments or procedures. For tests that provide information that is extremely sensitive or that may have a high risk of significant consequences ( e.g., physical, social, psychological, legal, or economic) that a patient might reasonably want to consider as part of the consent decision, the health record must specifically document that the patient or surrogate consented to the specific test.
(2) The patient's and practitioner's signature on a form prescribed by VA for that purpose is required for all diagnostic and therapeutic treatments or procedures that meet any of the following criteria:
(i) Require the use of sedation;
(ii) Require anesthesia or narcotic analgesia;
(iii) Are considered to produce significant discomfort to the patient;
(iv) Have a significant risk of complication or morbidity; or
(v) Require injections of any substance into a joint space or body cavity.
(3) Consent for treatments and procedures that require signature consent must be documented in the health record on a form prescribed by VA for that purpose, or as otherwise specified in this paragraph (d).
(i) If the patient or surrogate is unable to execute a signature on the form due to a physical impairment, the patient or surrogate may, in lieu of a signature, sign the consent form with an “X”, thumbprint, or stamp. Two adult witnesses must witness the act of signing and sign the consent form. By signing, the witnesses are attesting only to the fact that they saw the patient or surrogate sign the form. As an alternative to such a patient or surrogate using a duly witnessed “X”, thumbprint, or stamp to sign the form, a designated third party may sign the form if acting at the direction of the patient or surrogate and in the presence of the patient or surrogate. The signed form must be filed in the patient's health record.
(ii) A properly executed VA-authorized consent form is valid for a period of 60 calendar days. If, however, the treatment plan involves multiple treatments or procedures, it will not be necessary to repeat the informed consent discussion and documentation so long as the course of treatment proceeds as planned, even if treatment extends beyond the 60-day period. If there is a change in the patient's condition that might alter the diagnostic or therapeutic decision about upcoming or continuing treatment, the practitioner must initiate a new informed consent process and, if needed, complete a new signature consent form with the patient.
(iii) When signature consent is required, but it is not practicable to obtain the signature in person following the informed consent discussion, a signed VA consent form transmitted by mail, facsimile, in by secure electronic mail, or other VA-approved modalities and scanned into the record, is adequate to proceed with treatment or procedure.
(iv) When signature consent is required, but it is not practicable to obtain the signed consent form, the informed consent conversation conducted by telephone or video conference must be audiotaped, videotaped, or witnessed by a second VA employee in lieu of the signed consent form. The practitioner must document the details of the conversation in the medical record. If someone other than the patient is giving consent, the name of the person giving consent and the authority of that person to act as surrogate must be adequately identified in the medical record.
(e) Patients who lack decision-making capacity —(1) Identifying a surrogate decision maker. If the practitioner who has primary responsibility for the patient determines that the patient lacks decision-making capacity and is unlikely to regain it within a reasonable period of time, informed consent must be obtained from the surrogate. Patients who are incapable of giving consent as a matter of law will be deemed to lack decision-making capacity for the purposes of this section.
(i) The following persons are authorized to act as a surrogate to consent on behalf of a patient who lacks decision-making capacity in the following order of priority:
(A) Health care agent;
(B) Legal guardian;
(C) Next-of-kin: a close relative of the patient eighteen years of age or older in the following priority: Spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, or grandchild; or
(D) Close friend.
(ii) A surrogate generally assumes the same rights and responsibilities as the patient in the informed consent process. The surrogate's decision must be based on his or her knowledge of what the patient would have wanted; that is, substituted judgment, or, if the patient's specific values and wishes are unknown, the surrogate's decision must be based on the patient's best interest.
(2) Consent for a patient without a surrogate. (i) If none of the surrogates listed in paragraph (e)(1) of this section is available, a practitioner may either request the assistance of District Chief Counsel to obtain a legal guardian for health care or follow the procedures outlined in paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section.
(ii) Facilities may use the following process to make treatment decisions for patients who lack decision-making capacity and have no surrogate.
(A) For treatments and procedures that involve minimal risk, the practitioner must verify that no authorized surrogate can be located, or that the surrogate is not available. The practitioner must attempt to explain the nature and purpose of the proposed treatment to the patient and enter this information in the health record.
(B) For procedures that require signature consent, the practitioner must certify that the patient has no surrogate to the best of their knowledge. The attending physician and the Chief of Service (or designee) must indicate their approval of the treatment decision in writing. Any decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment for such patients must be reviewed by a multi-disciplinary committee appointed by the facility Director, unless the patient has valid standing orders regarding life-sustaining treatment, such as state-authorized portable orders. The committee functions as the patient's advocate and may not include members of the treatment team. The committee must submit its findings and recommendations in a written report to the Chief of Staff who must note his or her approval of the report in writing. The facility Director must be informed about the case and results of the review and may concur with the decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment, delegate final decision-making authority to the facility Chief of Staff, or request further review by District Chief Counsel.
(f) Special consent situations. (1) In the case of involuntarily committed patients where the forced administration of psychotropic medication is against the will of a patient (or the surrogate does not consent), the following procedural protections must be provided:
(i) The patient or surrogate must be allowed to consult with independent specialists, legal counsel or other interested parties concerning the treatment with psychotropic medication. Any recommendation to administer or continue medication must be reviewed by a multi-disciplinary committee appointed by the facility Director for this purpose.
(ii) The multi-disciplinary committee must include a psychiatrist or a physician who has psychopharmacology privileges. The facility Director must concur with the committee's recommendation to administer psychotropic medications contrary to the patient's or surrogate's wishes.
(iii) Continued administration of psychotropic medication must be reviewed every 30 days. The patient (or a representative on the patient's behalf) may appeal the treatment decision to a court of appropriate jurisdiction.
(2) The patient must be informed if a proposed course of treatment or procedure involves approved medical research in whole or in part. If so, the patient's separate informed consent must be obtained for the components that constitute research pursuant to the informed consent requirements for human-subjects research set forth in part 16 of this title.
(g) Advance directives —(1) General. To the extent consistent with applicable Federal law, VA policy, and generally accepted standards of medical practice, VA will follow the wishes of a patient expressed in a valid advance directive when the practitioner determines and documents in the patient's health record that the patient lacks decision-making capacity and is unlikely to regain it within a reasonable period of time. An advance directive that is valid in one or more states under applicable law, including a mental health (or psychiatric) advance directive, a valid Department of Defense advance medical directive, or a valid VA Advance Directive will be recognized throughout the VA health care system, except for components therein that are inconsistent with applicable Federal law, VA policy, or generally accepted standards of medical practice.
(2) Signing and witness requirements. (i) A VA Advance Directive must be signed by the patient. If the patient is unable to sign a VA Advance Directive due to a physical impairment, the patient may sign the advance directive form with an “X”, thumbprint, or stamp. In the alternative, the patient may designate a third party to sign the directive at the direction of the patient and in the presence of the patient.
(ii) In all cases, a VA Advance Directive must be signed by the patient in the presence of both witnesses. Witnesses to the patient's signing of an advance directive are attesting by their signatures only to the fact that they saw the patient or designated third party sign the VA Advance Directive form. Neither witness may, to the witness' knowledge, be named as a beneficiary in the patient's estate, appointed as health care agent in the advance directive, or financially responsible for the patient's care. Nor may a witness be the designated third party who has signed the VA Advance Directive form at the direction of the patient and in the patient's presence.
(3) Instructions in critical situations. In certain situations, a patient with decision-making capacity may present for care when critically ill and loss of decision-making capacity is imminent. In such situations, VA will document the patient's unambiguous verbal or non-verbal instructions regarding preferences for future health care decisions. These instructions will be honored and given effect should the patient lose decision-making capacity before being able to complete a new advance directive. The patient's instructions must have been expressed to at least two members of the health care team. To confirm that the verbal or non-verbal instructions of the patient are, in fact, unambiguous, the substance of the patient's instructions and the names of at least two members of the health care team to whom they were expressed must be entered in the patient's electronic health record.
(4) Revocation. A patient who has decision-making capacity may revoke an advance directive or instructions in a critical situation at any time by using any means expressing the intent to revoke.
(5) VA policy and disputes. Neither the treatment team nor surrogate may override a patient's clear instructions in an advance directive or in instructions given in a critical situation, except that those portions of an advance directive or instructions given in a critical situation that are not consistent with applicable Federal law, VA policy, or generally accepted standards of medical practice will not be given effect.
§ 17.33   Patients' rights.
(a) General. (1) Patients have a right to be treated with dignity in a humane environment that affords them both reasonable protection from harm and appropriate privacy with regard to their personal needs.
(2) Patients have a right to receive, to the extent of eligibility therefor under the law, prompt and appropriate treatment for any physical or emotional disability.
(3) Patients have the right to the least restrictive conditions necessary to achieve treatment purposes.
(4) No patient in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical care system, except as otherwise provided by the applicable State law, shall be denied legal rights solely by virtue of being voluntarily admitted or involuntarily committed. Such legal rights include, but are not limited to, the following:
(i) The right to hold and to dispose of property except as may be limited in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section;
(ii) The right to execute legal instruments (e.g., will);
(iii) The right to enter into contractual relationships;
(iv) The right to register and vote;
(v) The right to marry and to obtain a separation, divorce, or annulment;
(vi) The right to hold a professional, occupational, or vehicle operator's license.
(b) Residents and inpatients. Subject to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, patients admitted on a residential or inpatient care basis to the Department of Veterans Affairs medical care system have the following rights:
(1) Visitations and communications. Each patient has the right to communicate freely and privately with persons outside the facility, including government officials, attorneys, and clergymen. To facilitate these communications each patient shall be provided the opportunity to meet with visitors during regularly scheduled visiting hours, convenient and reasonable access to public telephones for making and receiving phone calls, and the opportunity to send and receive unopened mail.
(i) Communications with attorneys, law enforcement agencies, or government officials and representatives of recognized service organizations when the latter are acting as agents for the patient in a matter concerning Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, shall not be reviewed.
(ii) A patient may refuse visitors.
(iii) If a patient's right to receive unopened mail is restricted pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, the patient shall be required to open the sealed mail while in the presence of an appropriate person for the sole purpose of ascertaining whether the mail contains contraband material, i.e. , implements which pose significant risk of bodily harm to the patient or others or any drugs or medication. Any such material will be held for the patient or disposed of in accordance with instructions concerning patients' mail published by the Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, and/or the local health care facility.
(iv) Each patient shall be afforded the opportunity to purchase, at the patient's expense, letter writing material including stamps. In the event a patient needs assistance in purchasing writing material, or in writing, reading or sending mail, the medical facility will attempt, at the patient's request, to provide such assistance by means of volunteers, sufficient to mail at least one (1) letter each week.
(v) All information gained by staff personnel of a medical facility during the course of assisting a patient in writing, reading, or sending mail is to be kept strictly confidential except for any disclosure required by law.
(2) Clothing. Each patient has the right to wear his or her own clothing.
(3) Personal Possessions. Each patient has the right to keep and use his or her own personal possessions consistent with available space, governing fire safety regulations, restrictions on noise, and restrictions on possession of contraband material, drugs and medications.
(4) Money. Each patient has the right to keep and spend his or her own money and to have access to funds in his or her account in accordance with instructions concerning personal funds of patients published by the Veterans Health Administration.
(5) Social Interaction. Each patient has the right to social interaction with others.
(6) Exercise. Each patient has the right to regular physical exercise and to be outdoors at regular and frequent intervals. Facilities and equipment for such exercise shall be provided.
(7) Worship. The opportunity for religious worship shall be made available to each patient who desires such opportunity. No patient will be coerced into engaging in any religious activities against his or her desires.
(c) Restrictions. (1) A right set forth in paragraph (b) of this section may be restricted within the patient's treatment plan by written order signed by the appropriate health care professional if—
(i) It is determined pursuant to paragraph (c)(2) of this section that a valid and sufficient reason exists for a restriction, and
(ii) The order imposing the restriction and a progress note detailing the indications therefor are both entered into the patient's permanent medical record.
(2) For the purpose of paragraph (c) of this section, a valid and sufficient reason exists when, after consideration of pertinent facts, including the patient's history, current condition and prognosis, a health care professional reasonably believes that the full exercise of the specific right would—
(i) Adversely affect the patient's physical or mental health,
(ii) Under prevailing community standards, likely stigmatize the patient's reputation to a degree that would adversely affect the patient's return to independent living,
(iii) Significantly infringe upon the rights of or jeopardize the health or safety of others, or
(iv) Have a significant adverse impact on the operation of the medical facility, to such an extent that the patient's exercise of the specific right should be restricted. In determining whether a patient's specific right should be restricted, the health care professional concerned must determine that the likelihood and seriousness of the consequences that are expected to result from the full exercise of the right are so compelling as to warrant the restriction. The Chief of Service or Chief of Staff, as designated by local policy, should concur with the decision to impose such restriction. In this connection, it should be noted that there is no intention to imply that each of the reasons specified in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) through (iv) of this section are logically relevant to each of the rights set forth in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(3) If it has been determined under paragraph (c)(2) of this section that a valid and sufficient reason exists for restricting any of the patient's rights set forth in paragraph (b) of this section, the least restrictive method for protecting the interest or interests specified in paragraphs (c)(2)(i) through (iv) of this section that are involved shall be employed.
(4) The patient must be promptly notified of any restriction imposed under paragraph (c) of this section and the reasons therefor.
(5) All restricting orders under paragraph (c) of this section must be reviewed at least once every 30 days by the practitioner and must be concurred in by the Chief of Service or Chief of Staff.
(d) Restraint and seclusion of patients. (1) Each patient has the right to be free from physical restraint or seclusion except in situations in which there is a substantial risk of imminent harm by the patient to himself, herself, or others and less restrictive means of preventing such harm have been determined to be inappropriate or insufficient. Patients will be physically restrained or placed in seclusion only on the written order of an appropriate licensed health care professional. The reason for any restraint order will be clearly documented in the progress notes of the patient's medical record. The written order may be entered on the basis of telephonic authority, but in such an event, an appropriate licensed health care professional must examine the patient and sign a written order within an appropriate timeframe that is in compliance with current community and/or accreditation standards. In emergency situations, where inability to contact an appropriate licensed health care professional prior to restraint is likely to result in immediate harm to the patient or others, the patient may be temporarily restrained by a member of the staff until appropriate authorization can be received from an appropriate licensed health care professional . Use of restraints or seclusion may continue for a period of time that does not exceed current community and/or accreditation standards, within which time an appropriate licensed health care professional shall again be consulted to determine if continuance of such restraint or seclusion is required. Restraint or seclusion may not be used as a punishment, for the convenience of staff, or as a substitute for treatment programs.
(2) While in restraint or seclusion, the patient must be seen within appropriate timeframes in compliance with current community and/or accreditation standards:
(i) By an appropriate health care professional who will monitor and chart the patient's physical and mental condition; and
(ii) By other ward personnel as frequently as is reasonable under existing circumstances.
(3) Each patient in restraint or seclusion shall have bathroom privileges according to his or her needs.
(4) Each patient in restraint or seclusion shall have the opportunity to bathe at least every twenty-four (24) hours.
(5) Each patient in restraint or seclusion shall be provided nutrition and fluid appropriately.
(e) Medication. Patients have a right to be free from unnecessary or excessive medication. Except in an emergency, medication will be administered only on a written order of an appropriate health care professional in that patient's medical record. The written order may be entered on the basis of telephonic authority received from an appropriate health care professional, but in such event, the written order must be countersigned by an appropriate health care professional within 24 hours of the ordering of the medication. An appropriate health care professional will be responsible for all medication given or administered to a patient. A review by an appropriate health care professional of the drug regimen of each inpatient shall take place at least every thirty (30) days. It is recognized that administration of certain medications will be reviewed more frequently. Medication shall not be used as punishment, for the convenience of the staff, or in quantities which interfere with the patient's treatment program.
(f) Confidentiality. Information gained by staff from the patient or the patient's medical record will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed except in accordance with applicable law.
(g) Patient grievances. Each patient has the right to present grievances with respect to perceived infringement of the rights described in this section or concerning any other matter on behalf of himself, herself or others, to staff members at the facility in which the patient is receiving care, other Department of Veterans Affairs officials, government officials, members of Congress or any other person without fear or reprisal.
(h) Notice of patient's rights. Upon the admission of any patient, the patient or his/her representative shall be informed of the rights described in this section, shall be given a copy of a statement of those rights and shall be informed of the fact that the statement of rights is posted at each nursing station. All staff members assigned to work with patients will be given a copy of the statement of rights and these rights will be discussed with them by their immediate supervisor.
(i) Other rights. The rights described in this section are in addition to and not in derogation of any statutory, constitutional or other legal rights.
§ 17.34   Tentative eligibility determinations.
Subject to the provisions of §§ 17.36 through 17.38, when an application for hospital care or other medical services, except outpatient dental care, has been filed which requires an adjudication as to service connection or a determination as to any other eligibility prerequisite which cannot immediately be established, the service (including transportation) may be authorized without further delay if it is determined that eligibility for care probably will be established. Tentative eligibility determinations under this section, however, will only be made if:
(a) In emergencies. The applicant needs hospital care or other medical services in emergency circumstances, or
(b) Based on discharge. The application is filed within 6 months after date of discharge under conditions other than dishonorable, and for a veteran who seeks eligibility based on a period of service that began after September 7, 1980, the veteran must meet the applicable minimum service requirements under 38 U.S.C. 5303A.
§ 17.35   Hospital care and outpatient services in foreign countries.
(a) Under the VA Foreign Medical Program, VA may furnish hospital care and outpatient services to any veteran outside of the United States, without regard to the veteran's citizenship:
(1) If necessary for treatment of a service-connected disability, or any disability associated with and held to be aggravating a service-connected disability;
(2) If the care and services are furnished to a veteran participating in a rehabilitation program under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 who requires care and services for the reasons enumerated in § 17.47(i)(2).
(b) Under the Foreign Medical Program, the care and services authorized under paragraph (a) of this section are available in the Republic of the Philippines to a veteran who meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section. VA may also provide outpatient services to a veteran referenced in paragraph (a)(1) in the VA outpatient clinic in Manila for the treatment of such veteran's service-connected conditions within the limits of the clinic. Non-service connected conditions of a veteran who has a service-connected disability may be treated within the limits of the VA outpatient clinic in Manila.
(c) Claims for payment or reimbursement for services not previously authorized by VA under this section are governed by §§ 17.123-17.127 and 17.129-17.132.
§ 17.36   Enrollment—provision of hospital and outpatient care to veterans.
(a) Enrollment requirement for veterans. (1) Except as otherwise provided in § 17.37, a veteran must be enrolled in the VA healthcare system as a condition for receiving the 'medical benefits package' set forth in § 17.38.
A veteran may apply to be enrolled at any time. (See § 17.36(d)(1).)
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, a veteran enrolled under this section and who, if required by law to do so, has agreed to make any applicable copayment is eligible for VA hospital and outpatient care as provided in the “medical benefits package” set forth in § 17.38.
A veteran's enrollment status will be recognized throughout the United States.
(3) A veteran enrolled based on having a disorder associated with exposure to a toxic substance or radiation, for a disorder associated with service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War (the period between August 2, 1990, and November 11, 1998), or any illness associated with service in combat in a war after the Gulf War or during a period of hostility after November 11, 1998, as provided in 38 U.S.C. 1710(e), is eligible for VA care provided in the “medical benefits package” set forth in § 17.38 for the disorder.
(b) Categories of veterans eligible to be enrolled. The Secretary will determine which categories of veterans are eligible to be enrolled based on the following order of priority:
(1) Veterans with a singular or combined rating of 50 percent or greater based on one or more service-connected disabilities or unemployability; and veterans awarded the Medal of Honor.
(2) Veterans with a singular or combined rating of 30 percent or 40 percent based on one or more service-connected disabilities.
(3) Veterans who are former prisoners of war; veterans awarded the Purple Heart; veterans with a singular or combined rating of 10 percent or 20 percent based on one or more service-connected disabilities; veterans who were discharged or released from active military service for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; veterans who receive disability compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151; veterans whose entitlement to disability compensation is suspended pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 1151, but only to the extent that such veterans' continuing eligibility for that care is provided for in the judgment or settlement described in 38 U.S.C. 1151; veterans whose entitlement to disability compensation is suspended because of the receipt of military retired pay; and veterans receiving compensation at the 10 percent rating level based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities that clearly interfere with normal employability.
(4) Veterans who receive increased pension based on their need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being permanently housebound and other veterans who are determined to be catastrophically disabled by the Chief of Staff (or equivalent clinical official) at the VA facility where they were examined.
(5) Veterans not covered by paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(4) of this section who are determined to be unable to defray the expenses of necessary care under 38 U.S.C. 1722(a).
(6) Veterans of World War II; veterans solely seeking care for a disorder associated with exposure to a toxic substance or radiation, for a disorder associated with service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War (the period between August 2, 1990, and November 11, 1998), or for any illness associated with service in combat in a war after the Gulf War or during a period of hostility after November 11, 1998, as provided and limited in 38 U.S.C. 1710(e); Camp Lejeune veterans pursuant to § 17.400; and veterans with 0 percent service-connected disabilities who are nevertheless compensated, including veterans receiving compensation for inactive tuberculosis.
(7) Veterans who agree to pay to the United States the applicable copayment determined under 38 U.S.C. 1710(f) and 1710(g) if their income for the previous year constitutes “low income” under the geographical income limits established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the fiscal year that ended on September 30 of the previous calendar year. For purposes of this paragraph, VA will determine the income of veterans (to include the income of their spouses and dependents) using the rules in §§ 3.271, 3.272, 3.273, and 3.276. After determining the veterans' income and the number of persons in the veterans' family (including only the spouse and dependent children), VA will compare their income with the current applicable “low-income” income limit for the public housing and section 8 programs in their area that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development publishes pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(2). If the veteran's income is below the applicable “low-income” income limits for the area in which the veteran resides, the veteran will be considered to have “low income” for purposes of this paragraph. To avoid a hardship to a veteran, VA may use the projected income for the current year of the veteran, spouse, and dependent children if the projected income is below the “low income” income limit referenced above. This category is further prioritized into the following subcategories:
(i) Noncompensable zero percent service-connected veterans who are in an enrolled status on a specified date announced in a Federal Register document promulgated under paragraph (c) of this section and who subsequently do not request disenrollment;
(ii) Nonservice-connected veterans who are in an enrolled status on a specified date announced in a Federal Register document promulgated under paragraph (c) of this section and who subsequently do not request disenrollment;
(iii) Noncompensable zero percent service-connected veterans not included in paragraph (b)(7)(i) of this section; and
(iv) Nonservice-connected veterans not included in paragraph (b)(7)(ii) of this section.
(8) Veterans not included in priority category 4 or 7, who are eligible for care only if they agree to pay to the United States the applicable copayment determined under 38 U.S.C. 1710(f) and 1710(g). This category is further prioritized into the following subcategories:
(i) Noncompensable zero percent service-connected veterans who were in an enrolled status on January 17, 2003, or who are moved from a higher priority category or subcategory due to no longer being eligible for inclusion in such priority category or subcategory and who subsequently do not request disenrollment;
(ii) Noncompensable zero percent service-connected veterans not included in paragraph (b)(8)(i) of this section and whose income is not greater than ten percent more than the income that would permit their enrollment in priority category 5 or priority category 7, whichever is higher;
(iii) Nonservice-connected veterans who were in an enrolled status on January 17, 2003, or who are moved from a higher priority category or subcategory due to no longer being eligible for inclusion in such priority category or subcategory and who subsequently do not request disenrollment;
(iv) Nonservice-connected veterans not included in paragraph (b)(8)(iii) of this section and whose income is not greater than ten percent more than the income that would permit their enrollment in priority category 5 or priority category 7, whichever is higher;
(v) Noncompensable zero percent service-connected veterans not included in paragraph (b)(8)(i) or paragraph (b)(8)(ii) of this section; and
(vi) Nonservice-connected veterans not included in paragraph (b)(8)(iii) or paragraph (b)(8)(iv) of this section.
(c) Federal Register notification of eligible enrollees. (1) It is anticipated that each year the Secretary will consider whether to change the categories and subcategories of veterans eligible to be enrolled. The Secretary at any time may revise the categories or subcategories of veterans eligible to be enrolled by amending paragraph (c)(2) of this section. The preamble to a Federal Register document announcing which priority categories and subcategories are eligible to be enrolled must specify the projected number of fiscal year applicants for enrollment in each priority category, projected healthcare utilization and expenditures for veterans in each priority category, appropriated funds and other revenue projected to be available for fiscal year enrollees, and projected total expenditures for enrollees by priority category. The determination should include consideration of relevant internal and external factors, e.g., economic changes, changes in medical practices, and waiting times to obtain an appointment for care. Consistent with these criteria, the Secretary will determine which categories of veterans are eligible to be enrolled based on the order of priority specified in paragraph (b) of this section.
(2) Unless changed by a rulemaking document in accordance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section, VA will enroll the priority categories of veterans set forth in § 17.36(b) beginning June 15, 2009, except that those veterans in subcategories (v) and (vi) of priority category 8 are not eligible to be enrolled.
(d) Enrollment and disenrollment process —(1) Application for enrollment. A veteran who wishes to be enrolled must apply by submitting a VA Form 10-10EZ:
(i) To a VA medical facility or by mail it to the U.S. Postal address on the form; or
(ii) Online at the designated World Wide Web internet address; or
(iii) By calling a designated telephone number and submitting application information verbally. To complete a telephone application, the veteran seeking enrollment must attest to the accuracy and authenticity of their verbal application for enrollment and consent to VA's copayment requirements and third-party billing procedures.
(2) Action on application. Upon receipt of a completed VA Form 10-10EZ, a VA network or facility director, or the Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and Management or Chief, Health Administration Service or equivalent official at a VA medical facility, or Director, Health Eligibility Center, will accept a veteran as an enrollee upon determining that the veteran is in a priority category eligible to be enrolled as set forth in § 17.36(c)(2). Upon determining that a veteran is not in a priority category eligible to be enrolled, the VA network or facility director, or the Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and Management or Chief, Health Administration Service or equivalent official at a VA medical facility, or Director, Health Eligibility Center, will inform the applicant that the applicant is ineligible to be enrolled.
(3) Placement in enrollment categories. (i) Veterans will be placed in priority categories whether or not veterans in that category are eligible to be enrolled.
(ii) A veteran will be placed in the highest priority category or categories for which the veteran qualifies.
(iii) A veteran may be placed in only one priority category, except that a veteran placed in priority category 6 based on a specified disorder or illness will also be placed in priority category 7 or priority category 8, as applicable, if the veteran has previously agreed to pay the applicable copayment, for all matters not covered by priority category 6.
(iv) A veteran who had been enrolled based on inclusion in priority category 5 and became no longer eligible for inclusion in priority category 5 due to failure to submit to VA a current VA Form 10-10EZ will be changed automatically to enrollment based on inclusion in priority category 6 or 8 (or more than one of these categories if the previous principle applies), as applicable, and be considered continuously enrolled. To meet the criteria for priority category 5, a veteran must be eligible for priority category 5 based on the information submitted to VA in a current VA Form 10-10EZ. To be current, after VA has sent a form 10-10EZ to the veteran at the veteran's last known address, the veteran must return the completed form (including signature) to the address on the return envelope within 60 days from the date VA sent the form to the veteran.
(v) Veterans will be disenrolled, and reenrolled, in the order of the priority categories listed with veterans in priority category 1 being the last to be disenrolled and the first to be reenrolled. Similarly, within priority categories 7 and 8, veterans will be disenrolled, and reenrolled, in the order of the priority subcategories listed with veterans in subcategory (i) being the last to be disenrolled and first to be reenrolled.
(4) [Reserved]
(5) Disenrollment. A veteran enrolled in the VA health care system under paragraph (d)(2) of this section will be disenrolled only if:
(i) The veteran submits to a VA Medical Center or to the VA Health Eligibility Center, 2957 Clairmont Road, NE., Suite 200, Atlanta, Georgia 30329-1647, a signed and dated document stating that the veteran no longer wishes to be enrolled; or
(ii) A VA network or facility director, or the Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and Management or Chief, Health Administration Service or equivalent official at a VA medical facility, or Director, Health Eligibility Center, determines that the veteran is no longer in a priority category eligible to be enrolled, as set forth in § 17.36(c)(2).
(6) Notification of enrollment status. Notice of a decision by a VA network or facility director, or the Deputy Under Secretary for Health for Operations and Management or Chief, Health Administration Service or equivalent official at a VA medical facility, or Director, Health Eligibility Center, regarding enrollment status will be provided to the affected veteran by letter and will contain the reasons for the decision. The letter will include an effective date for any changes and a statement regarding appeal rights. The decision will be based on all information available to the decisionmaker, including the information contained in VA Form 10-10EZ.
(e) Catastrophically disabled. For purposes of this section, catastrophically disabled means to have a permanent severely disabling injury, disorder, or disease that compromises the ability to carry out the activities of daily living to such a degree that the individual requires personal or mechanical assistance to leave home or bed or requires constant supervision to avoid physical harm to self or others. This definition is met if an individual has been found by the Chief of Staff (or equivalent clinical official) at the VA facility where the individual was examined to have a permanent condition specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this section; to meet permanently one of the conditions specified in paragraph (e)(2) of this section by a clinical evaluation of the patient's medical records that documents that the patient previously met the permanent criteria and continues to meet such criteria (permanently) or would continue to meet such criteria (permanently) without the continuation of on-going treatment; or to meet permanently one of the conditions specified in paragraph (e)(2) of this section by a current medical examination that documents that the patient meets the permanent criteria and will continue to meet such criteria (permanently) or would continue to meet such criteria (permanently) without the continuation of on-going treatment.
(1) Quadriplegia and quadriparesis; paraplegia; legal blindness defined as visual impairment of 20/200 or less visual acuity in the better seeing eye with corrective lenses, or a visual field restriction of 20 degrees or less in the better seeing eye with corrective lenses; persistent vegetative state; or a condition resulting from two of the following procedures, provided the two procedures were not on the same limb:
(i) Amputation, detachment, or reamputation of or through the hand;
(ii) Disarticulation, detachment, or reamputation of or through the wrist;
(iii) Amputation, detachment, or reamputation of the forearm at or through the radius and ulna;
(iv) Amputation, detachment, or disarticulation of the forearm at or through the elbow;
(v) Amputation, detachment, or reamputation of the arm at or through the humerus;
(vi) Disarticulation or detachment of the arm at or through the shoulder;
(vii) Interthoracoscapular (forequarter) amputation or detachment;
(viii) Amputation, detachment, or reamputation of the leg at or through the tibia and fibula;
(ix) Amputation or detachment of or through the great toe;
(x) Amputation or detachment of or through the foot;
(xi) Disarticulation or detachment of the foot at or through the ankle;
(xii) Amputation or detachment of the foot at or through malleoli of the tibia and fibula;
(xiii) Amputation or detachment of the lower leg at or through the knee;
(xiv) Amputation, detachment, or reamputation of the leg at or through the femur;
(xv) Disarticulation or detachment of the leg at or through the hip; and
(xvi) Interpelviaabdominal (hindquarter) amputation or detachment.
(2)(i) Dependent in 3 or more Activities of Daily Living (eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, transferring, incontinence of bowel and/or bladder), with at least 3 of the dependencies being permanent with a rating of 1, using the Katz scale.
(ii) A score of 2 or lower on at least 4 of the 13 motor items using the Functional Independence Measure.
(iii) A score of 30 or lower using the Global Assessment of Functioning.
(f) VA Form 10-10EZ. Copies of VA Form 10-10EZ are available at any VA medical center and at https://www.1010ez.med.va.gov/sec/vha/1010ez/.
§ 17.37   Enrollment not required—provision of hospital and outpatient care to veterans.
Even if not enrolled in the VA healthcare system:
(a) A veteran rated for service-connected disabilities at 50 percent or greater will receive VA care provided for in the “medical benefits package” set forth in § 17.38.
(b) A veteran who has a service-connected disability will receive VA care provided for in the “medical benefits package” set forth in § 17.38 for that service-connected disability.
(c) A veteran who was discharged or released from active military service for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty will receive VA care provided for in the “medical benefits package” set forth in § 17.38 for that disability for the 12-month period following discharge or release.
(d) When there is a compelling medical need to complete a course of VA treatment started when the veteran was enrolled in the VA healthcare system, a veteran will receive that treatment.
(e) Subject to the provisions of § 21.240, a veteran participating in VA's Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program described in §§ 21.1 through 21.430 will receive VA care provided for in the “medical benefits package” set forth in § 17.38.
(f) A veteran may receive care provided for in the 'medical benefits package' based on factors other than veteran status (e.g., a veteran who is a private-hospital patient and is referred to VA for a diagnostic test by that hospital under a sharing contract; a veteran who is a VA employee and is examined to determine physical or mental fitness to perform official duties; a Department of Defense retiree under a sharing agreement).
(g) For care not provided within a State, a veteran may receive VA care provided for in the “medical benefits package” set forth in § 17.38 if authorized under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 1724 and 38 CFR 17.35.
(h) Commonwealth Army veterans and new Philippine Scouts may receive care provided for in the “medical benefits package” set forth in § 17.38 if authorized under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 1724 and 38 CFR 17.35.
(i) A veteran may receive certain types of VA care not included in the “medical benefits package” set forth in § 17.38 if authorized by statute or other sections of 38 CFR (e.g., humanitarian emergency care for which the individual will be billed, compensation and pension examinations, dental care, domiciliary care, nursing home care, readjustment counseling, care as part of a VA-approved research project, seeing-eye or guide dogs, sexual trauma counseling and treatment, special registry examinations).
(j) A veteran may receive an examination to determine whether the veteran is catastrophically disabled and therefore eligible for inclusion in priority category 4.
(k) A veteran may receive care for psychosis or mental illness other than psychosis pursuant to 38 CFR 17.109.
(l) An individual may receive emergent suicide care pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 1720J and 38 CFR 17.1200-17.1230.
§ 17.38   Medical benefits package.
(a) Subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, the following hospital, outpatient, and extended care services constitute the “medical benefits package” (basic care and preventive care):
(1) Basic care.
(i) Outpatient medical, surgical, and mental healthcare, including care for substance abuse.
(ii) Inpatient hospital, medical, surgical, and mental healthcare, including care for substance abuse.
(iii) Prescription drugs, including over-the-counter drugs and medical and surgical supplies available under the VA national formulary system.
(iv) Emergency care in VA facilities; and emergency care in non-VA facilities in accordance with sharing contracts or if authorized by§ 17.52(a)(3), § 17.53, § 17.54, §§ 17.120 through 17.132, or §§ 17.4000 through 17.4040.
(v) Bereavement counseling as authorized in § 17.98.
(vi) Comprehensive rehabilitative services other than vocational services provided under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31.
(vii) Consultation, professional counseling, marriage and family counseling, training, and mental health services for the members of the immediate family or legal guardian of the veteran or the individual in whose household the veteran certifies an intention to live, as necessary and appropriate, in connection with the veteran's treatment as authorized under 38 CFR 71.50.
(viii) Prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services as authorized under §§ 17.3200 through 17.3250, and eyeglasses and hearing aids as authorized under § 17.149.
(ix) Home health services authorized under 38 U.S.C. 1717 and 1720C.
(x) Reconstructive (plastic) surgery required as a result of disease or trauma, but not including cosmetic surgery that is not medically necessary.
(xi)(A) Hospice care, palliative care, and institutional respite care; and
(B) Noninstitutional extended care services, including but not limited to noninstitutional geriatric evaluation, noninstitutional adult day health care, and noninstitutional respite care.
(xii) Payment of beneficiary travel as authorized under 38 CFR part 70.
(xiii) Pregnancy and delivery services, to the extent authorized by law.
(xiv) Newborn care, post delivery, for a newborn child for the date of birth plus seven calendar days after the birth of the child when the birth mother is a woman veteran enrolled in VA health care and receiving maternity care furnished by VA or under authorization from VA and the child is delivered either in a VA facility, or in another facility pursuant to a VA authorization for maternity care at VA expense.
(xv) Completion of forms (e.g., Family Medical Leave forms, life insurance applications, Department of Education forms for loan repayment exemptions based on disability, non-VA disability program forms) by healthcare professionals based on an examination or knowledge of the veteran's condition, but not including the completion of forms for examinations if a third party customarily will pay health care practitioners for the examination but will not pay VA.
(2) Preventive care, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 1701(9), which includes:
(i) Periodic medical exams.
(ii) Health education, including nutrition education.
(iii) Maintenance of drug-use profiles, drug monitoring, and drug use education.
(iv) Mental health and substance abuse preventive services.
(v) Immunizations against infectious disease.
(vi) Prevention of musculoskeletal deformity or other gradually developing disabilities of a metabolic or degenerative nature.
(vii) Genetic counseling concerning inheritance of genetically determined diseases.
(viii) Routine vision testing and eye-care services.
(ix) Periodic reexamination of members of high-risk groups for selected diseases and for functional decline of sensory organs, and the services to treat these diseases and functional declines.
(x) Chiropractic services.
(b) Provision of the “medical benefits package”. Care referred to in the “medical benefits package” will be provided to individuals only if it is determined by appropriate health care professionals that the care is needed to promote, preserve, or restore the health of the individual and is in accord with generally accepted standards of medical practice.
(1) Promote health. Care is deemed to promote health if the care will enhance the quality of life or daily functional level of the veteran, identify a predisposition for development of a condition or early onset of disease which can be partly or totally ameliorated by monitoring or early diagnosis and treatment, and prevent future disease.
(2) Preserve health. Care is deemed to preserve health if the care will maintain the current quality of life or daily functional level of the veteran, prevent the progression of disease, cure disease, or extend life span.
(3) Restoring health. Care is deemed to restore health if the care will restore the quality of life or daily functional level that has been lost due to illness or injury.
(c) In addition to the care specifically excluded from the “medical benefits package” under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, the “medical benefits package” does not include the following:
(1) Abortions, except when:
(i) The life or the health of the pregnant veteran would be endangered if the pregnancy were carried to term; or
(ii) The pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest. Self-reporting from the pregnant veteran constitutes sufficient evidence that an act of rape or incest occurred.
(2) In vitro fertilization. Note: See § 17.380.
(3) Drugs, biologicals, and medical devices not approved by the Food and Drug Administration unless the treating medical facility is conducting formal clinical trials under an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) or an Investigational New Drug (IND) application, or the drugs, biologicals, or medical devices are prescribed under a compassionate use exemption.
(4) Gender alterations.
(5) Hospital and outpatient care for a veteran who is either a patient or inmate in an institution of another government agency if that agency has a duty to give the care or services. This exclusion does not apply to veterans who are released from incarceration in a prison or jail into a temporary housing program (such as a community residential re-entry center or halfway house).
(6) Membership in spas and health clubs.
§ 17.39   Certain Filipino veterans.
(a) Any Filipino Commonwealth Army veteran, including one who was recognized by authority of the U.S. Army as belonging to organized Filipino guerilla forces, or any new Philippine Scout is eligible for hospital care, nursing home care, and outpatient medical services within the United States in the same manner and subject to the same terms and conditions as apply to U.S. veterans, if such veteran or scout resides in the United States and is a citizen or lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. For purposes of these VA health care benefits, the standards described in 38 CFR 3.42(c) will be accepted as proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence.
(b) Commonwealth Army Veterans, including those who were recognized by authority of the U.S. Army as belonging to organized Filipino guerilla forces, and new Philippine Scouts are not eligible for VA health care benefits if they do not meet the residency and citizenship requirements described in § 3.42(c).
§ 17.40   Additional services for indigents.
In addition to the usual medical services agreed upon between the governments of the United States and the Republic of the Philippines to be made available to patients for whom the Department of Veterans Affairs has authorized care at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center, any such patient determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to be indigent or without funds may be furnished toilet articles and barber services, including haircutting and shaving necessary for hygienic reasons.
§ 17.41   Persons eligible for hospital observation and physical examination.
Hospitalization for observation and physical (including mental) examination may be effected when requested by an authorized official, or when found necessary in examination of the following persons:
(a) Claimants or beneficiaries of VA for purposes of disability compensation, pension, participation in a rehabilitation program under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31, and Government insurance. (38 U.S.C. 1711(a))
(b) Claimants or beneficiaries referred to a diagnostic center for study to determine the clinical identity of an obscure disorder.
(c) Employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs when necessary to determine their mental or physical fitness to perform official duties.
(d) Claimants or beneficiaries of other Federal agencies:
(1) Department of Justice—plaintiffs in Government insurance suits.
(2) United States Civil Service Commission—annuitants or applicants for retirement annuity, and such examinations of prospective appointees as may be requested.
(3) Office of Workers' Compensation Programs—to determine identity, severity, or persistence of disability.
(4) Railroad Retirement Board—applicants for annuity under Public No. 162, 75th Congress.
(5) Other Federal agencies.
(e) Pensioners of nations allied with the United States in World War I and World War II, upon authorization from accredited officials of the respective governments.
§ 17.42   Examinations on an outpatient basis.
Physical examinations on an outpatient basis may be furnished to applicants who have been tentatively determined to be eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs hospital or domiciliary care to determine their need for such care and to the same categories of persons for whom hospitalization for observation and examination may be authorized under § 17.41.
§ 17.43   Persons entitled to hospital care.
Hospital care may be provided:
(a) Not subject to the eligibility provisions of 38 U.S.C. 1710, 1722, and 1729, and 38 CFR 17.44 and 17.45, for:
(1) Persons in the Armed Forces when duly referred with authorization therefor, may be furnished hospital care. Emergency treatment may be rendered, without obtaining formal authorization, to such persons upon their own application, when absent from their commands. Identification of active duty members of the uniformed services will be made by military identification card.
(2) Hospital care may be provided, upon authorization, for beneficiaries of the Public Health Service, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, and other Federal agencies.
(3) Pensioners of nations allied with the United States in World War I and World War II may be supplied hospital care when duly authorized.
(b) Emergency hospital care may be provided for:
(1) Persons having no eligibility, as a humanitarian service.
(2) Persons admitted because of presumed discharge or retirement from the Armed Forces, but subsequently found to be ineligible as such.
(c) Hospital care when incidental to, and to the extent necessary for, the use of a specialized Department of Veterans Affairs medical resource pursuant to a sharing agreement entered into under § 17.240, may be authorized for any person designated by the other party to the agreement as a patient to be benefited under the agreement.
(d) The authorization of services under any provision of this section, except services for eligible veterans, is subject to charges as required by § 17.102.
§ 17.44   Hospital care for certain retirees with chronic disability (Executive Orders 10122, 10400 and 11733).
Hospital care may be furnished when beds are available to members or former members of the uniformed services (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Coast and Geodetic Survey, now National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hereinafter referred to as NOAA, and Public Health Service) temporarily or permanently retired for physical disability or receiving disability retirement pay who require hospital care for chronic diseases and who have no eligibility for hospital care under laws governing the Department of Veterans Affairs, or who having eligibility do not elect hospitalization as Department of Veterans Affairs beneficiaries. Care under this section is subject to the following conditions:
(a) Persons defined in this section who are members or former members of the active United States Armed Forces must agree to pay the rate set by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as prescribed in § 17.102(c), except that no charge will be made for those persons who are members of the Public Health Service, Coast Guard, Coast and Geodetic Survey now NOAA, and enlisted personnel of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force.
(b) Under this section, the term chronic diseases shall include chronic arthritis, malignancy, psychiatric disorders, poliomyelitis with residuals, neurological disabilities, diseases of the nervous system, severe injuries to the nervous system, including quadriplegia, hemiplegia and paraplegia, tuberculosis, blindness and deafness requiring definitive rehabilitation, disability from major amputation, and other diseases as may be agreed upon from time to time by the Under Secretary for Health and designated officials of the Department of Defense and Department of Health and Human Services. For the purpose of this section, blindness is defined as corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, or corrected central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a field defect in which the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that its widest diameter subtends the widest diameter of the field of the better eye at an angle no greater than 20°.
(c) In the case of persons who are former members of the Coast and Geodetic Survey, care may be furnished under this section even though their retirement for disability was from the Environmental Science Services Administration or NOAA.
§ 17.45   Hospital care for research purposes.
Subject to § 17.102(g), any person who is a bona fide volunteer may be admitted to a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital when the treatment to be rendered is part of an approved Department of Veterans Affairs research project and there are insufficient veteran-patients suitable for the project.
§ 17.46   Eligibility for hospital, domiciliary or nursing home care of persons discharged or released from active military, naval, or air service.
(a) In furnishing hospital care on or before June 6, 2019, under 38 U.S.C. 1710(a)(1), VA officials shall:
(1) If the veteran is in immediate need of hospitalization, furnish care at VA facility where the veteran applies or, if that facility is incapable of furnishing care, arrange to admit the veteran to the nearest VA medical center, or Department of Defense hospital with which VA has a sharing agreement under 38 U.S.C. 8111, which is capable of providing the needed care, or if VA or DOD facilities are not available, arrange for care on a contract basis if authorized by 38 U.S.C. 1703 and 38 CFR 17.52; or
(2) If the veteran needs non-immediate hospitalization, schedule the veteran for admission at VA facility where the veteran applies, if the schedule permits, or refer the veteran for admission or scheduling for admission at the nearest VA medical center, or Department of Defense facility with which VA has a sharing agreement under 38 U.S.C. 8111.
(b) Domiciliary care may be furnished when needed to:
(1) Any veteran whose annual income does not exceed the maximum annual rate of pension payable to a veteran in need of regular aid and attendance, or
(2) Any veteran who the Secretary determines had no adequate means of support. An additional requirement for eligibility for domiciliary care is the ability of the veteran to perform the following:
(i) Perform without assistance daily ablutions, such as brushing teeth; bathing; combing hair; body eliminations.
(ii) Dress self, with a minimum of assistance.
(iii) Proceed to and return from the dining hall without aid.
(iv) Feed Self.
(v) Secure medical attention on an ambulatory basis or by use of personally propelled wheelchair.
(vi) Have voluntary control over body eliminations or control by use of an appropriate prosthesis.
(vii) Make rational and competent decisions as to his or her desire to remain or leave the facility.
§ 17.47   Considerations applicable in determining eligibility for hospital care, medical services, nursing home care, or domiciliary care.
(a)(1) For applicants discharged or released for disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty and who are not in receipt of compensation for service-connected or service-aggravated disability, the official records of the Armed Forces relative to findings of line of duty for its purposes will be accepted in determining eligibility for hospital care or medical services. Where the official records of the Armed Forces show a finding of disability not incurred or aggravated in line of duty and evidence is submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs which permits of a different finding, the decision of the Armed Forces will not be binding upon the Department of Veterans Affairs, which will be free to make its own determination of line of duty incurrence or aggravation upon evidence so submitted. It will be incumbent upon the applicant to present controverting evidence and, until such evidence is presented and a determination favorable to the applicant is made by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the finding of the Armed Forces will control and hospital care or medical services will not be authorized. Such controverting evidence, when received from an applicant, will be referred to the adjudicating agency which would have jurisdiction if the applicant was filing claim for pension or disability compensation, and the determination of such agency as to line of duty, which is promptly to be communicated to the head of the field facility receiving the application for hospital care or medical services , will govern the facility Director's disapproval or approval of such care or services,other eligibility requirements having been met. Where the official records of the Armed Forces show that the disability for which a veteran was discharged or released from the Armed Forces under other than dishonorable conditions was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, such showing will be accepted for the purpose of determining his or her eligibility for hospital care or medical services, notwithstanding the fact that the Department of Veterans Affairs has made a determination in connection with a claim for monetary benefits that the disability was incurred or aggravated not in line of duty.
(2) In those exceptional cases where the official records of the Armed Forces show discharge or release under other than dishonorable conditions because of expiration of period of enlistment or any other reason except disability, but also show a disability incurred or aggravated in line of duty during the said enlistment; and the disability so recorded is considered in medical judgment to be or to have been of such character, duration, and degree as to have justified a discharge or release for disability had the period of enlistment not expired or other reason for discharge or release been given, the Under Secretary for Health, upon consideration of a clear, full statement of circumstances, is authorized to approve hospital care or medical services, provided other eligibility requirements are met. A typical case of this kind will be one where the applicant was under treatment for the said disability recorded during his or her service at the time discharge or release was given for the reason other than disability.
(b)(1) Under 38 U.S.C. 1710(a)(1), veterans who are receiving disability compensation awarded under § 3.362 of this chapter, where a disease, injury or the aggravation of an existing disease or injury occurs as a result of VA examination, medical or surgical treatment, or of hospitalization in a VA health care facility or of participation in a rehabilitation program under 38 U.S.C. ch. 31, under any law administered by VA and not the result of his/her own willful misconduct. Treatment may be provided for the disability for which the compensation is being paid or for any other disability. Treatment under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 1710(a)(1) may not be authorized during any period when disability compensation under § 3.362 of this title is not being paid because of the provision of § 3.362(b), except to the extent continuing eligibility for such treatment is provided for in the judgment for settlement described in § 3.362(b) of this title.
(2) For purposes of determining eligibility for domiciliary care under § 17.46(b)(2) of this part, the phrase no adequate means of support refers to an applicant for or recipient of domiciliary care whose annual income exceeds the maximum annual rate of pension for a veteran in receipt of regular aid and attendance, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 1503, whose deficits in health and/or functional status may render the veteran incapable of achieving or sustaining independence in the community as determined by the Chief of Staff of the VA medical center, or designee. In assessing a veteran's ability to achieve or sustain independence in the community, the Chief of Staff or designee will make a determination of eligibility for domiciliary care based on objective evidence, considering factors including, but not limited to:
(i) The impact of the severity of the veteran's medical condition, disabilities, and symptoms on the veteran's safety in the community;
(ii) The impact of the severity of the veteran's medical condition, disabilities, and symptoms on the veteran's ability to provide self-care;
(iii) The availability of community or family support systems;
(iv) The impact of the severity of the veteran's medical condition, disabilities, and symptoms on the veteran's ability to access and utilize community support systems;
(v) The risk of loss of housing in the community;
(vi) The risk of loss of the veteran's income;
(vii) Access to outpatient mental health and substance use disorder care; and
(viii) The current effectiveness of any outpatient mental health and substance use disorder care provided to the veteran.
(c) [Reserved]
(d)(1) For purposes of determining eligibility for hospital care, medical services, or nursing home care under § 17.47(a), a veteran will be determined unable to defray the expenses of necessary care if the veteran agrees to provide verifiable evidence, as determined by the Secretary, that:
(i) The veteran is eligible to receive medical assistance under a State plan approved under title XIX of the Social Security Act;
(ii) The veteran is in receipt of pension under 38 U.S.C. 1521; or
(iii) The veteran's attributable income does not exceed $15,000 if the veteran has no dependents, $18,000 if the veteran has one dependent, plus $1,000 for each additional dependent.
(2) For purposes of determining eligibility for hospital care, medical services, or nursing home care under § 17.47(c), a veteran will be determined eligible for necessary care if the veteran agrees to provide verifiable evidence, as determined by the Secretary, that: The veteran's attributable income does not exceed $20,000 if the veteran has no dependents, $25,000 if the veteran has one dependent, plus $1,000 for each additional dependent.
(3) Effective on January 1 of each year after calendar year 1986, the amounts set forth in paragraph (d)(1) and (2) of this section shall be increased by the percentage by which the maximum rates of pension were increased under 38 U.S.C. 5312(a), during the preceding year.
(4) Determinations with respect to attributable income made under paragraph (d)(1) and (2) of this section, shall be made in the same manner, including the same sources of income and exclusions from income, as determinations with respect to income are made for determining eligibility for pension under §§ 3.271 and 3.272 of this title. The term attributable income means income of a veteran for the calendar year preceding application for care, determined in the same manner as the manner in which a determination is made of the total amount of income by which the rate of pension for such veteran under 38 U.S.C. 1521 would be reduced if such veteran were eligible for pension under that section.
(5) In order to avoid hardship VA may determine that a veteran is eligible for care notwithstanding that the veteran does not meet the income requirements established in paragraph (d)(1)(iii) or (d)(2) of this section, if projections of the veteran's income for the year following application for care are substantially below the income requirements established in paragraph (d)(1)(iii) or (d)(2) of this section.
(e)(1) If VA determines that an individual was incorrectly charged a copayment, VA will refund the amount of any copayment actually paid by that individual.
(2) In the event a veteran provided inaccurate information on an application and is incorrectly deemed eligible for care under 38 U.S.C. 1710(a)(1) or (a)(2) rather than 38 U.S.C. 1710(a)(3), VA shall retroactively bill the veteran for the applicable copayment.
(f) If a veteran who receives hospital, nursing home, or outpatient care under 38 U.S.C. 1710(a)(3) by virtue of the veteran's eligibility for hospital care and medical services under 38 U.S.C. 1710(a), fails to pay to the United States the amounts agreed to under those sections shall be grounds for determining, in accordance with guidelines promulgated by the Under Secretary for Health, that the veteran is not eligible to receive further care under those sections until such amounts have been paid in full.
(g)(1) Persons hospitalized and/or receiving medical services who have no service-connected disabilities pursuant to § 17.47, and/or persons receiving outpatient medical services pursuant to § 17.93 who have no service-connected disabilities who it is believed may be eligible for hospital care and/or medical services, or reimbursement for the expenses of care or services for all or part of the cost thereof by reason of the following:
(i) Membership in a union, fraternal or other organization, or
(ii) Coverage under an insurance policy, or contract, medical, or hospital service agreement, membership, or subscription contract or similar arrangement under which health services for individuals are provided or the expenses of such services are paid, will not be furnished hospital care or medical services without charge therefore to the extent of the amount for which such parties referred to in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) or (g)(1)(ii) of this section, are, will become, or may be liable. Persons believed entitled to care under any of the plans discussed above will be required to provide such information as the Secretary may require. Provisions of this paragraph are effective April 7, 1986, except in the case of a health care policy or contract that was entered into before that date, the effective date shall be the day after the plan was modified or renewed or on which there was any change in premium or coverage and will apply only to care and services provided by VA after the date the plan was modified, renewed, or on which there was any change in premium or coverage.
(2) Persons hospitalized and/or receiving medical services for the treatment of nonservice-connected disabilities pursuant to § 17.47, or persons receiving outpatient medical services pursuant to § 17.93 and who it is believed may be entitled to hospital care and/or medical services or to reimbursement for all or part of the cost thereof from any one or more of the following parties:
(i) Workers' Compensation or employer's liability statutes, State or Federal;
(ii) By reason of statutory or other relationships with third parties, including those liable for damages because of negligence or other legal wrong;
(iii) By reason of a statute in a State, or political subdivision of a State;
(A) Which requires automobile accident reparations or;
(B) Which provides compensation or payment for medical care to victims suffering personal injuries as the result of a crime of personal violence;
(iv) Right to maintenance and cure in admiralty;
(h) Within the limits of Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, any veteran who is receiving nursing home care in a hospital under the direct jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs, may be furnished medical services to correct or treat any nonservice-connected disability of such veteran, in addition to treatment incident to the disability for which the veteran is hospitalized, if the veteran is willing, and such services are reasonably necessary to protect the health of such veteran.
(i) Participating in a rehabilitation program under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 refers to any veteran
(1) Who is eligible for and entitled to participate in a rehabilitation program under chapter 31.
(i) Who is in an extended evaluation period for the purpose of determining feasibility, or
(ii) For whom a rehabilitation objective has been selected, or
(iii) Who is pursuing a rehabilitation program, or
(iv) Who is pursuing a program of independent living, or
(v) Who is being provided employment assistance under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31, and
(2) Who is medically determined to be in need of hospital care or medical services (including dental) for any of the following reasons:
(i) Make possible his or her entrance into a rehabilitation program; or
(ii) Achieve the goals of the veteran's vocational rehabilitation program; or
(iii) Prevent interruption of a rehabilitation program; or
(iv) Hasten the return to a rehabilitation program of a veteran in interrupted or leave status; or
(v) Hasten the return to a rehabilitation program of a veteran placed in discontinued status because of illness, injury or a dental condition; or
(vi) Secure and adjust to employment during the period of employment assistance; or
(vii) To enable the veteran to achieve maximum independence in daily living.
(j) Veterans eligible for treatment under chapter 17 of 38 U.S.C. who are alcohol or drug abusers or who are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) shall not be discriminated against in admission or treatment by any Department of Veterans Affairs health care facility solely because of their alcohol or drug abuse or dependency or because of their viral infection. This does not preclude the rule of clinical judgment in determining appropriate treatment which takes into account the patient's immune status and/or the infectivity of the HIV or other pathogens (such as tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus, cryptosporidiosis, etc.). Hospital Directors are responsible for assuring that admission criteria of all programs in the medical center do not discriminate solely on the basis of alcohol, drug abuse or infection with human immunodeficiency virus. Quality Assurance Programs should include indicators and monitors for nondiscrimination.
(k) In seeking medical care from VA under 38 U.S.C. 1710 or 1712, a veteran shall furnish such information and evidence as the Secretary may require to establish eligibility.
§ 17.48   Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residences program.
(a) This section sets forth requirements for persons residing in housing under the Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residences program.
(b) House managers shall be responsible for coordinating and supervising the day-to-day operations of the facilities. The local VA program coordinator shall select each house manager and may give preference to an individual who is a current or past resident of the facility or the program. A house manager must have the following qualifications:
(1) A stable, responsible and caring demeanor;
(2) Leadership qualities including the ability to motivate;
(3) Effective communication skills including the ability to interact;
(4) A willingness to accept feedback;
(5) A willingness to follow a chain of command.
(c) Each resident admitted to the Transitional Residence, except for a house manager, must also be in the Compensated Work Therapy program.
(d) Each resident, except for a house manager, must bi-weekly, in advance, pay a fee to VA for living in the housing. The local VA program coordinator will establish the fee for each resident in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
(1) The total amount of actual operating expenses of the residence (utilities, maintenance, furnishings, appliances, service equipment, all other operating costs) for the previous fiscal year plus 15 percent of that amount equals the total operating budget for the current fiscal year. The total operating budget is to be divided by the average number of beds occupied during the previous fiscal year and the resulting amount is the average yearly amount per bed. The bi-weekly fee shall equal 1/26th of the average yearly amount per bed, except that a resident shall not, on average, pay more than 30 percent of their gross CWT (Compensated Work Therapy) bi-weekly earnings. The VA program manager shall, bi-annually, conduct a review of the factors in this paragraph for determining resident payments. If he or she determines that the payments are too high or too low by more than 5 percent of the total operating budget, he or she shall recalculate resident payments under the criteria set forth in this paragraph, except that the calculations shall be based on the current fiscal year (actual amounts for the elapsed portion and projected amounts for the remainder).
(2) If the revenues of a residence do not meet the expenses of the residence resulting in an inability to pay actual operating expenses, the medical center of jurisdiction shall provide the funds necessary to return the residence to fiscal solvency in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(e) The length of stay in housing under the Compensated Work Therapy/Transitional Residences program is based on the individual needs of each resident, as determined by consensus of the resident and his/her VA Clinical Treatment team. However, the length of stay should not exceed 12 months.
§ 17.49   Priorities for outpatient medical services and inpatient hospital care.
In scheduling appointments for outpatient medical services and admissions for inpatient hospital care, the Under Secretary for Health shall give priority to:
(a) Veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 50 percent or greater based on one or more disabilities or unemployability; and
(b) Veterans needing care for a service-connected disability.
§ 17.50   Use of Department of Defense, Public Health Service or other Federal hospitals with beds allocated to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Hospital facilities operated by the Department of Defense or the Public Health Service (or any other agency of the United States Government) may be used for the care of VA patients pursuant to agreements between VA and the department or agency operating the facility. When such an agreement has been entered into and a bed allocation for VA patients has been provided for in a specific hospital covered by the agreement, care may be authorized within the bed allocation for any veteran eligible under 38 U.S.C. 1710 or § 17.44. Care in a Federal facility not operated by VA, however, shall not be authorized for any military retiree whose sole basis for eligibility is under § 17.44, or, except in Alaska and Hawaii, for any retiree of the uniformed services suffering from a chronic disability whose entitlement is under § 17.44 or § 17.46(a)(2) regardless of whether he or she may have dual eligibility under other provisions of § 17.46.
§ 17.51   Emergency use of Department of Defense, Public Health Service or other Federal hospitals.
Hospital care in facilities operated by the Department of Defense or the Public Health Service (or any other agency of the U.S. Government) which do not have beds allocated for the care of Department of Veterans Affairs patients may be authorized subject to the limitations enumerated in § 17.50 only in emergency circumstances for any veteran otherwise eligible for hospital care under 38 U.S.C. 1710 or 38 CFR 17.46.
§ 17.52   Hospital care and medical services in non-VA facilities.
(a) When VA facilities or other government facilities are not capable of furnishing economical hospital care or medical services because of geographic inaccessibility or are not capable of furnishing care or services required, VA may contract with non-VA facilities for care in accordance with the provisions of this section. When demand is only for infrequent use, individual authorizations may be used. Care in public or private facilities, however, subject to the provisions of §§ 17.53, 17.54, 17.55 and 17.56, will only be authorized, whether under a contract or an individual authorization, for—
(1) Hospital care or medical services to a veteran for the treatment of—
(i) A service-connected disability; or
(ii) A disability for which a veteran was discharged or released from the active military, naval, or air service or
(iii) A disability of a veteran who has a total disability permanent in nature from a service-connected disability, or
(iv) For a disability associated with and held to be aggravating a service-connected disability, or
(v) For any disability of a veteran participating in a rehabilitation program under 38 U.S.C. ch. 31 and when there is a need for hospital care or medical services for any of the reasons enumerated in § 17.48(i).
(2) Medical services for the treatment of any disability of—
(i) A veteran who has a service-connected disability rated at 50 percent or more,
(ii) A veteran who has been furnished hospital care, nursing home care, domiciliary care, or medical services, and requires medical services to complete treatment incident to such care or services (each authorization for non-VA treatment needed to complete treatment may continue for up to 12 months, and new authorizations may be issued by VA as needed), and
(iii) A veteran of the Mexican border period or World War I or who is in receipt of increased pension or additional compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound benefits when it has been determined based on an examination by a physician employed by VA (or, in areas where no such physician is available, by a physician carrying out such function under a contract or fee arrangement), that the medical condition of such veteran precludes appropriate treatment in VA facilities;
(3) Hospital care or medical services for the treatment of medical emergencies which pose a serious threat to the life or health of a veteran receiving hospital care or medical services in a facility over which the Secretary has direct jurisdiction or government facility with which the Secretary contracts, and for which the facility is not staffed or equipped to perform, and transfer to a public or private hospital which has the necessary staff or equipment is the only feasible means of providing the necessary treatment, until such time following the furnishing of care in the non-VA facility as the veteran can be safely transferred to a VA facility;
(4) Hospital care for women veterans;
(5) Through September 30, 1988, hospital care or medical services that will obviate the need for hospital admission for veterans in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, except that the dollar expenditure in Fiscal year 1986 cannot exceed 85% of the Fiscal year 1985 obligations, in Fiscal year 1987 the dollar expenditure cannot exceed 50% of the Fiscal year 1985 obligations and in Fiscal year 1988 the dollar expenditure cannot exceed 25% of the Fiscal year 1985 obligations.
(6) Hospital care or medical services that will obviate the need for hospital admission for veterans in Alaska, Hawaii, Virgin Islands and other territories of the United States except that the annually determined hospital patient load and incidence of the furnishing of medical services to veterans hospitalized or treated at the expense of VA in government and non-VA facilities in each such State or territory shall be consistent with the patient load or incidence of the provision of medical services for veterans hospitalized or treated by VA within the 48 contiguous States.
(7) Outpatient dental services and treatment, and related dental appliances, for a veteran who is a former prisoner of war and was detained or interned for a period of not less that 181 days.
(8) Hospital care or medical services for the treatment of medical emergencies which pose a serious threat to the life or health of a veteran which developed during authorized travel to the hospital, or during authorized travel after hospital discharge preventing completion of travel to the originally designated point of return (and this will encompass any other medical services necessitated by the emergency, including extra ambulance or other transportation which may also be furnished at VA expense.
(9) Diagnostic services necessary for determination of eligibility for, or of the appropriate course of treatment in connection with, furnishing medical services at independent VA outpatient clinics to obviate the need for hospital admission.
(10) For any disability of a veteran receiving VA contract nursing home care. The veteran is receiving contract nursing home care and requires emergency treatment in non-VA facilities.
(11) For completion of evaluation for observation and examination (O&E) purposes, clinic directors or their designees will authorize necessary diagnostic services at non-VA facilities (on an inpatient or outpatient basis) in order to complete requests from VA Regional Offices for O&E of a person to determine eligibility for VA benefits or services.
(b) The Under Secretary for Health shall only furnish care and treatment under paragraph (a) of this section to veterans described in § 17.47(d).
(1) To the extent that resources are available and are not otherwise required to assure that VA can furnish needed care and treatment to veterans described in § 17.47 (a) and (c), and
(2) If the veteran agrees to pay the United States an amount as determined under 38 U.S.C. 1710.
(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to care furnished by VA after June 6, 2019.
§ 17.53   Limitations on use of public or private hospitals.
The admission of any patient to a private or public hospital at Department of Veterans Affairs expense will only be authorized if a Department of Veterans Affairs medical center or other Federal facility to which the patient would otherwise be eligible for admission is not feasibly available. A Department of Veterans Affairs facility may be considered as not feasibly available when the urgency of the applicant's medical condition, the relative distance of the travel involved, or the nature of the treatment required makes it necessary or economically advisable to use public or private facilities. In those instances where care in public or private hospitals at Department of Veterans Affairs expense is authorized because a Department of Veterans Affairs or other Federal facility was not feasibly available, as defined in this section, the authorization will be continued after admission only for the period of time required to stabilize or improve the patient's condition to the extent that further care is no longer required to satisfy the purpose for which it was initiated.
§ 17.54   [Reserved]
§ 17.55   Payment for authorized public or private hospital care.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, payment for public or private hospital care furnished on or before June 6, 2019, under 38 U.S.C. 1703 and § 17.52, or at any time under 38 U.S.C. 1728 and §§ 17.120 and 17.128 or under 38 U.S.C. 1787 and § 17.410, shall be based on a prospective payment system similar to that used in the Medicare program for paying for similar inpatient hospital services in the community. Payment shall be made using the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) PRICER for each diagnosis-related group (DRG) applicable to the episode of care.
(a) Payment shall be made of the full prospective payment amount per discharge, as determined according to the methodology in subparts D and G of 42 CFR part 412, as appropriate.
(b)(1) In the case of a veteran who was transferred to another facility before completion of care, VA shall pay the transferring hospital an amount calculated by the HCFA PRICER for each patient day of care, not to exceed the full DRG rate as provided in paragraph (a) of this section. The hospital that ultimately discharges the patient will receive the full DRG payment.
(2) In the case of a veteran who has transferred from a hospital and/or distinct part unit excluded by Medicare from the DRG-based prospective payment system or from a hospital that does not participate in Medicare, the transferring hospital will receive a payment for each patient day of care not to exceed the amount provided in paragraph (i) of this section.
(c) VA shall pay the providing facility the full DRG-based rate or reasonable cost, without regard to any copayments or deductible required by any Federal law that is not applicable to VA.
(d) If the cost or length of a veteran's care exceeds an applicable threshold amount, as determined by the HCFA PRICER program, VA shall pay, in addition to the amount payable under paragraph (a) of this section, an outlier payment calculated by the HCFA PRICER program, in accordance with subpart F of 42 CFR part 412.
(e) In addition to the amount payable under paragraph (a) of this section, VA shall pay, for each discharge, an amount to cover the non-Federal hospital's capital-related costs, kidney, heart and liver acquisition costs incurred by hospitals with approved transplantation centers, direct costs of medical education, and the costs of qualified nonphysician anesthetists in small rural hospitals. These amounts will be determined by the Under Secretary for Health on an annual basis and published in the “Notices” section of the Federal Register.
(f) Payment shall be made only for those services authorized by VA.
(g) Payments made in accordance with this section shall constitute payment in full and the provider or agent for the provider may not impose any additional charge on a veteran or his or her health care insurer for any inpatient services for which payment is made by the VA.
(h) Hospitals of distinct part hospital units excluded from the prospective payment system by Medicare and hospitals that do not participate in Medicare will be paid at the national cost-to-charge ratio times the billed charges that are reasonable, usual, customary, and not in excess of rates or fees the hospital charges the general public for similar services in the community.
(i) A hospital participating in an alternative payment system that has been granted a Federal waiver from the prospective payment system under the provisions of 42 U.S.C. section 1395f(b)(3) or 42 U.S.C. section 1395ww(c) for the purposes of Medicare payment shall not be subject to the payment methodology set forth in this section so long as such Federal waiver remains in effect.
(j) Payments for episodes of hospital care furnished in Alaska that begin during the period starting on the effective date of this section through the 364th day thereafter will be in the amount determined by the HCFA PRICER plus 50 percent of the difference between the amount billed by the hospital and the amount determined by the PRICER. Claims for services provided during that period will be accepted for payment by VA under this paragraph (k) until December 31 of the year following the year in which this section became effective.
(k) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, VA, for public or private hospital care covered by this section, will pay the lesser of the amount determined under paragraphs (a) through (j) of this section or the amount negotiated with the hospital or its agent.
§ 17.56   VA payment for inpatient and outpatient health care professional services at non-departmental facilities and other medical charges associated with non-VA outpatient care.
(a) Except for health care professional services provided in the state of Alaska (see paragraph (b) of this section), VA will determine the amounts paid under § 17.52 or § 17.120 for health care professional services, and all other medical services associated with non-VA outpatient care, using the applicable method in this section:
(1) If a specific amount has been negotiated with a specific provider, VA will pay that amount.
(2) If an amount has not been negotiated under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, VA will pay the lowest of the following amounts:
(i) The applicable Medicare fee schedule or prospective payment system amount (“Medicare rate”) for the period in which the service was provided (without any changes based on the subsequent development of information under Medicare authorities), subject to the following:
(A) In the event of a Medicare waiver, the payment amount will be calculated in accordance with such waiver.
(B) In the absence of a Medicare rate or Medicare waiver, payment will be the VA Fee Schedule amount for the period in which the service was provided. The VA Fee Schedule amount is determined by the authorizing VA medical facility, which ranks all billings (if the facility has had at least eight billings) from non-VA facilities under the corresponding procedure code during the previous fiscal year, with billings ranked from the highest to the lowest. The VA Fee Schedule amount is the charge falling at the 75th percentile. If the authorizing facility has not had at least eight such billings, then this paragraph does not apply.
(ii) The amount negotiated by a repricing agent if the provider is participating within the repricing agent's network and VA has a contract with that repricing agent. For the purposes of this section, repricing agent means a contractor that seeks to connect VA with discounted rates from non-VA providers as a result of existing contracts that the non-VA provider may have within the commercial health care industry.
(iii) The amount that the provider bills the general public for the same service.
(b) For physician and non-physician professional services rendered in Alaska, VA will pay for services in accordance with a fee schedule that uses the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act mandated national standard coding sets. VA will pay a specific amount for each service for which there is a corresponding code. Under the VA Alaska Fee Schedule, the amount paid in Alaska for each code will be 90 percent of the average amount VA actually paid in Alaska for the same services in Fiscal Year (FY) 2003. For services that VA provided less than eight times in Alaska in FY 2003, for services represented by codes established after FY 2003, and for unit-based codes prior to FY 2004, VA will take the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' rate for each code and multiply it times the average percentage paid by VA in Alaska for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-like codes. VA will increase the amounts on the VA Alaska Fee Schedule annually in accordance with the published national Medicare Economic Index (MEI). For those years where the annual average is a negative percentage, the fee schedule will remain the same as the previous year. Payment for non-VA health care professional services in Alaska shall be the lesser of the amount billed or the amount calculated under this subpart.
(c) Payments made by VA to a non-VA facility or provider under this section shall be considered payment in full. Accordingly, the facility or provider or agent for the facility or provider may not impose any additional charge for any services for which payment is made by VA.
(d) In a case where a veteran has paid for emergency treatment for which VA may reimburse the veteran under § 17.120, VA will reimburse the amount that the veteran actually paid. Any amounts due to the provider but unpaid by the veteran will be reimbursed to the provider under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.
(e) Except for payments for care furnished under 38 U.S.C. 1725 and § 17.1005, under 38 U.S.C. 1728 and §§ 17.120 and 17.128, or under 38 U.S.C. 1787 and § 17.410, the provisions of this section shall not apply to care furnished by VA after June 6, 2019, or care furnished pursuant to an agreement authorized by 38 U.S.C. 1703A.
§ 17.57   Use of community nursing homes.
(a) Nursing home care in a contract public or private nursing home facility may be authorized for the following: Any veteran who has been discharged from a hospital under the direct jurisdiction of VA and is currently receiving VA hospital based home health services.
(b) To the extent that resources are available and are not otherwise required to assure that VA can furnish needed care and treatment to veterans described in 38 U.S.C. 1710(a)(1) and (a)(2), the Under Secretary for Health may furnish care under this paragraph to any veteran described in 38 U.S.C. 1710(a)(3) if the veteran agrees to pay the United States an amount as determined in 38 U.S.C. 1710(f).
§ 17.58   Evacuation of community nursing homes.
When veterans are evacuated from a community nursing home as the result of an emergency, they may be relocated to another facility that meets certain minimum standards, as set forth in 38 CFR 51.59(c)(1).
§ 17.60   Extensions of community nursing home care beyond six months.
Directors of health care facilities may authorize, for any veteran whose hospitalization was not primarily for a service-connected disability, an extension of nursing care in a public or private nursing home care facility at VA expense beyond six months when the need for nursing home care continues to exist and
(a) Arrangements for payment of such care through a public assistance program (such as Medicaid) for which the veteran has applied, have been delayed due to unforeseen eligibility problems which can reasonably be expected to be resolved within the extension period, or
(b) The veteran has made specific arrangements for private payment for such care, and
(1) Such arrangements cannot be effectuated as planned because of unforseen, unavoidable difficulties, such as a temporary obstacle to liquidation of property, and
(2) Such difficulties can reasonably be expected to be resolved within the extension period; or
(c) The veteran is terminally ill and life expectancy has been medically determined to be less than six months.
(d) In no case may an extension under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section exceed 45 days.
§ 17.61   Eligibility.
VA health care personnel may assist a veteran by referring such veteran for placement in a privately or publicly-owned community residential care facility if:
(a) At the time of initiating the assistance:
(1) The veteran is receiving VA medical services on an outpatient basis or VA medical center, domiciliary, or nursing home care; or
(2) Such care or services were furnished the veteran within the preceding 12 months;
(b) The veteran does not need hospital or nursing home care but is unable to live independently because of medical (including psychiatric) conditions and has no suitable family resources to provide needed monitoring, supervision, and any necessary assistance in the veteran's activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living ; and
(c) The facility has been approved in accordance with § 17.63 of this part.
§ 17.62   Definitions.
For the purpose of §§ 17.61 through 17.72:
Activities of daily living means basic daily tasks an individual performs as part of self-care which may be used as a measurement of the functional status of a person including: walking; bathing, shaving, brushing teeth, combing hair; dressing; eating; getting in or getting out of bed; and toileting.
Approving official means the Director or, if designated by the Director, the Associate Director or Chief of Staff of a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center or Outpatient Clinic which has jurisdiction to approve a community residential care facility.
Community residential care means the monitoring, supervision, and assistance, in accordance with a statement of needed care, of the activities of daily living activities and instrumental activities of daily living, of referred veterans in an approved home in the community by the facility's provider.
Hearing official means the Director or, if designated by the Director, the Associate Director or Chief of Staff of a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center or Outpatient Clinic which has jurisdiction to approve a community residential care facility.
Instrumental activities of daily living are tasks that are not necessary for fundamental functioning, but allow an individual to live independently in a community. Instrumental activities of daily living include: housekeeping and cleaning room; meal preparation; taking medications; laundry; assistance with transportation; shopping—for groceries, clothing or other items; ability to use the telephone; ability to manage finances; writing letters; and obtaining appointments.
Oral hearing means the in person testimony of representatives of a community residential care facility and of VA before the hearing official and the review of the written evidence of record by that official.
Paper hearing means a review of the written evidence of record by the hearing official.
§ 17.63   Approval of community residential care facilities.
The approving official may approve a community residential care facility, based on the report of a VA inspection and on any findings of necessary interim monitoring of the facility, if that facility meets the following standards:
(a) Health and safety standards. The facility must:
(1) Meet all State and local regulations including construction, maintenance, and sanitation regulations;
(2) Meet the requirements in the applicable provisions of NFPA 101 and NFPA 101A (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1) and the other publications referenced in those provisions. The institution shall provide sufficient staff to assist patients in the event of fire or other emergency. Any equivalencies or variances to VA requirements must be approved by the appropriate Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) Director;
(3) Have safe and functioning systems for heating and/or cooling, as needed (a heating or cooling system is deemed to be needed if VA determines that, in the county, parish, or similar jurisdiction where the facility is located, a majority of community residential care facilities or other extended care facilities have one), hot and cold water, electricity, plumbing, sewage, cooking, laundry, artificial and natural light, and ventilation.
(4) Meet the following additional requirements, if the provisions for One and Two-Family Dwellings, as defined in NFPA 101, are applicable to the facility:
(i) Portable fire extinguishers must be installed, inspected, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 10 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1); and
(ii) The facility must meet the requirements in section 33.7 of NFPA 101.
(b) Level of care. The community residential care facility must provide the resident, at a minimum, a base level of care to include room and board; nutrition consisting of three meals per day and two snacks, or as required to meet special dietary needs; laundry services; transportation (either provided or arranged) to VA and healthcare appointments; and accompanying the resident to appointments if needed; 24-hour supervision, if indicated; and care, supervision, and assistance with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living. In those cases where the resident requires more than a base level of care, the medically appropriate level of care must be provided.
(c) Interior plan. The facility must:
(1) Have comfortable dining areas, adequate in size for the number of residents;
(2) Have confortable living room areas, adequate in size to accommodate a reasonable proportion of residents; and
(3) Maintain at least one functional toilet and lavatory, and bathing or shower facility for every six people living in the facility, including provider and staff.
(d) Laundry service. The facility must provide or arrange for laundry service.
(e) Residents' bedrooms. Residents' bedrooms must:
(1) Contain no more than four beds;
(i) Facilities approved before August 24, 2017 may not establish any new resident bedrooms with more than two beds per room;
(ii) Facilities approved after August 24, 2017 may not provide resident bedrooms containing more than two beds per room.
(2) Measure, exclusive of closet space, at least 100 square feet for a single-resident room, or 80 square feet for each resident in a multiresident room; and
(3) Contain a suitable bed for each resident and appropriate furniture and furnishings.
(f) Nutrition. The facility must:
(1) Provide a safe and sanitary food service that meets individual nutritional requirements and residents' preferences;
(2) Plan menus to meet currently recommended dietary allowances;
(g) Activities. The facility must plan and facilitate appropriate recreational and leisure activities to meet individual needs.
(h) Residents' rights. The facility must have written policies and procedures that ensure the following rights for each resident:
(1) Each resident has the right to:
(i) Be informed of the rights described in this section;
(ii) The confidentiality and nondisclosure of information obtained by community residential care facility staff on the residents and the residents' records subject to the requirements of applicable law;
(iii) Be able to inspect the residents' own records kept by the community residential care facility;
(iv) Exercise rights as a citizen; and
(v) Voice grievances and make recommendations concerning the policies and procedures of the facility.
(2) Financial affairs. Residents must be allowed to manage their own personal financial affairs, except when the resident has been restricted in this right by law. If a resident requests assistance from the facility in managing personal financial affairs the request must be documented.
(3) Privacy. Residents must:
(i) Be treated with respect, consideration, and dignity;
(ii) Have access, in reasonable privacy, to a telephone within the facility;
(iii) Be able to send and receive mail unopened and uncensored; and
(iv) Have privacy of self and possessions.
(4) Work. No resident will perform household duties, other than personal housekeeping tasks, unless the resident receives compensation for these duties or is told in advance they are voluntary and the patient agrees to do them.
(5) Freedom of association. Residents have the right to:
(i) Receive visitors and associate freely with persons and groups of their own choosing both within and outside the facility;
(ii) Make contacts in the community and achieve the highest level of independence, autonomy, and interaction in the community of which the resident is capable;
(iii) Leave and return freely to the facility, and
(iv) Practice the religion of their own choosing or choose to abstain from religious practice.
(6) Transfer. Residents have the right to transfer to another facility or to an independent living situation.
(i) Records. (1) The facility must maintain records on each resident in a secure place. Resident records must include a copy of all signed agreements with the resident. Resident records may be disclosed only with the permission of the resident; an authorized agent, fiduciary, or personal representative if the resident is not competent; or when required by law.
(2) The facility must maintain and make available, upon request of the approving VA official, records establishing compliance with paragraphs (j)(1) and (2) of this section; written policies and procedures required under paragraph (j)(3) of this section; and, emergency notification procedures.
(j) Staff requirements. (1) Sufficient, qualified staff must be on duty and available to care for the resident and ensure the health and safety of each resident.
(2) The community residential care provider and staff must have the following qualifications: Adequate education, training, or experience to maintain the facility.
(3) The community residential care provider must develop and implement written policies and procedures that prohibit mistreatment, neglect, and abuse of residents and misappropriation of resident property.
(4) Except as provided in paragraph (j)(5)(ii) of this section, the community residential care provider must not employ individuals who—
(i) Have been convicted within 7 years by a court of law of any of the following offenses or their equivalent in a state or territory:
(A) Murder, attempted murder, or manslaughter;
(B) Arson;
(C) Assault, battery, assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, mayhem or threats to do bodily harm;
(D) Burglary;
(E) Robbery;
(F) Kidnapping;
(G) Theft, fraud, forgery, extortion or blackmail;
(H) Illegal use or possession of a firearm;
(I) Rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, or sexual abuse;
(J) Child or elder abuse, or cruelty to children or elders; or
(K) Unlawful distribution or possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; or
(ii) Have had a finding entered within 6 months into an applicable State registry or with the applicable licensing authority concerning abuse, neglect, mistreatment of individuals or misappropriation of property.
(5)(i) If the conviction by a court of law of a crime enumerated in paragraph (j)(4)(i) of this section occurred greater than 7 years in the past, or a finding was entered into an applicable State registry as specified in paragraph (j)(4)(ii) of this section more than 6 months in the past, the community residential care provider must perform an individual assessment of the applicant or employee to determine suitability for employment. The individual assessment must include consideration of the following factors:
(A) The nature of the job held or sought;
(B) The nature and gravity of the offense or offenses;
(C) The time that has passed since the conviction and/or completion of the sentence;
(D) The facts or circumstances surrounding the offense or conduct;
(E) The number of offenses for which the individual was convicted;
(F) The employee or applicant's age at the time of conviction, or release from prison;
(G) The nexus between the criminal conduct of the person and the job duties of the position;
(H) Evidence that the individual performed the same type of work, post-conviction, with the same or a different employer, with no known incidents of criminal conduct;
(I) The length and consistency of employment history before and after the offense or conduct; rehabilitation efforts, including education or training; and,
(J) Employment or character references and any other information regarding fitness for the particular position.
(ii) An individual assessment must be performed to determine suitability for employment for any conviction defined in paragraph (j)(8)(iv), regardless of the age of the conviction.
(6)(i) The community residential care provider must ensure that all alleged violations involving mistreatment, neglect, or abuse, including injuries of unknown source, and misappropriation of resident property are reported to the approving official immediately, which means no more than 24 hours after the provider becomes aware of the alleged violation; and to other officials in accordance with State law. The report, at a minimum, must include—
(A) The facility name, address, telephone number, and owner;
(B) The date and time of the alleged violation;
(C) A summary of the alleged violation;
(D) The name of any public or private officials or VHA program offices that have been notified of the alleged violations, if any;
(E) Whether additional investigation is necessary to provide VHA with more information about the alleged violation;
(F) The name of the alleged victim;
(G) Contact information for the resident's next of kin or other designated family member, agent, personal representative, or fiduciary; and
(H) Contact information for a person who can provide additional details at the community residential care provider, including a name, position, location, and phone number.
(ii) The community residential care provider must notify the resident's next of kin, caregiver, other designated family member, agent, personal representative, or fiduciary of the alleged incident concurrently with submission of the incident report to the approving official.
(iii) The community residential care provider must have evidence that all alleged violations involving mistreatment, neglect, or abuse, including injuries of unknown source, and misappropriation of resident property are documented and thoroughly investigated, and must prevent further abuse while the investigation is in progress. The results of all investigations must be reported to the approving official within 5 working days of the incident and to other officials in accordance with all other applicable law, and appropriate corrective action must be taken if the alleged violation is verified. Any corrective action taken by the community residential care provider as a result of such investigation must be reported to the approving official, and to other officials as required under all other applicable law.
(iv) The community residential care provider must remove all duties requiring direct resident contact with veteran residents from any employee alleged to have violated this paragraph (j) during the investigation of such employee.
(7) For purposes of this paragraph (j), the term “employee” includes a:
(i) Non-VA health care provider at the community residential care facility;
(ii) Staff member of the community residential care facility who is not a health care provider, including a contractor; and
(iii) Person with direct resident access. The term “person with direct resident access” means an individual living in the facility who is not receiving services from the facility, who may have access to a resident or a resident's property, or may have one-on-one contact with a resident.
(8) For purposes of this paragraph (j), an employee is considered “convicted” of a criminal offense—
(i) When a judgment of conviction has been entered against the individual by a Federal, State, or local court, regardless of whether there is an appeal pending;
(ii) When there has been a finding of guilt against the individual by a Federal, State, or local court;
(iii) When a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the individual has been accepted by a Federal, State, or local court; or
(iv) When the individual has entered into participation in a first offender, deferred adjudication, or other arrangement or program where judgment of conviction has been withheld.
(9) For purposes of this paragraph (j), the terms “abuse” and “neglect” have the same meaning set forth in 38 CFR 51.90(b).
(k) Cost of community residential care. (1) Payment for the charges of community residential care is not the responsibility of the United States Government or VA.
(2) The cost of community residential care should reflect the cost of providing the base level of care as defined in paragraph (b) of this section.
(3) The resident or an authorized personal representative and a representative of the community residential care facility must agree upon the charge and payment procedures for community residential care. Any agreement between the resident or an authorized personal representative and the community residential care facility must be approved by the approving official. The charge for care in a community residential care facility must be reviewed annually by the facility and VA, or as required due to changes in care needs.
(4) The charges for community residential care must be reasonable and comparable to the current average rate for residential care in the State or Region for the same level of care provided to the resident. Notwithstanding, any year to year increase in the charge for care in a community residential care facility for the same level of care may not exceed the annual percentage increase in the National Consumer Price Index (CPI) for that year. In establishing an individual residential rate, consideration should be given to the level of care required and the individual needs of the resident. The approving official may approve a rate:
(i) Lower than the current average rate for residential care in the State or Region for the same level of care if the community residential care facility and the resident or authorized personal representative agreed to such rate, provided such lower rate does not result in a lower level of care than the resident requires;
(ii) Higher than the current average rate for residential care in the State or Region for the same level of care if the community residential care facility and the resident or authorized personal representative agreed to such rate, and the higher rate is related to the individual needs of the resident which exceed the base level of care as defined in paragraph (b) of this section. Examples of services which exceed the base level of care include, but are not limited to, handling disbursement of funds solely at the request of the resident; fulfilling special dietary requests by the resident or family member; accompanying the resident to an activity center; assisting in or providing scheduled socialization activities; supervision of an unsafe smoker; bowel and bladder care; intervention related to behavioral issues; and transportation other than for VA and healthcare appointments.
(5) The approving official may approve a deviation from the requirements of paragraph (k)(4) of this section if the resident chooses to pay more for care at a facility which exceeds the base level of care as defined in paragraph (b) of this section notwithstanding the resident's needs.
§ 17.64   [Reserved]
§ 17.65   Approvals and provisional approvals of community residential care facilities.
(a) An approval of a facility meeting all of the standards in 38 CFR 17.63 based on the report of a VA inspection and any findings of necessary interim monitoring of the facility shall be for a 12-month period.
(b) The approving official, based on the report of a VA inspection and on any findings of necessary interim monitoring of the facility, may provide a community residential care facility with a provisional approval if that facility does not meet one or more of the standards in 38 CFR 17.63, provided that the deficiencies do not jeopardize the health or safety of the residents, and that the facility management and VA agree to a plan of correcting the deficiencies in a specified amount of time. A provisional approval shall not be for more than 12 months and shall not be for more time than VA determines is reasonable for correcting the specific deficiencies.
(c) An approval may be changed to a provisional approval or terminated under the provisions of §§ 17.66 through 17.71 because of a subsequent failure to meet the standards of § 17.63 and a provisional approval may be terminated under the provisions of §§ 17.66 through 17.71 based on failure to meet the plan of correction or failure otherwise to meet the standards of § 17.63.
(d)(1) VA may waive one or more of the standards in 38 CFR 17.63 for the approval of a particular community residential care facility, provided that a VA safety expert certifies that the deficiency does not endanger the life or safety of the residents; the deficiency cannot be corrected as provided in paragraph (b) of this section for provisional approval of the community residential care facility; and granting the waiver is in the best interests of the veteran in the facility and VA's community residential care program. In order to reach the above determinations, the VA safety expert may request supporting documentation from the community residential care facility.
(2) In those instances where a waiver is granted, the subject standard is deemed to have been met for purposes of approval of the community residential care facility under paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section. The waiver and date of issuance will be noted on each annual survey of the facility as long as the waiver remains valid and in place.
(3) A waiver issued under this section remains valid so long as the community residential care facility operates continuously under this program without a break. VA may, on the recommendation of an approving official, rescind a waiver issued under this section if a VA inspector determines that there has been a change in circumstances and that the deficiency can now be corrected, or a VA safety expert finds that the deficiency jeopardizes the health and safety of residents.
§ 17.66   Notice of noncompliance with VA standards.
If the hearing official determines that an approved community residential care facility does not comply with the standards set forth in § 17.63 of this part, the hearing official shall notify the community residential care facility in writing of:
(a) The standards which have not been met;
(b) The date by which the standards must be met in order to avoid revocation of VA approval;
(c) The community residential care facility's opportunity to request an oral or paper hearing under § 17.67 of this part before VA approval is revoked; and
(d) The date by which the hearing official must receive the community residential care facility's request for a hearing, which shall not be less than 10 calendar days and not more than 20 calendar days after the date of VA notice of noncompliance, unless the hearing official determines that noncompliance with the standards threatens the lives of community residential care residents in which case the hearing official must receive the community residential care facility's request for an oral or paper hearing within 36 hours of receipt of VA notice.
§ 17.67   Request for a hearing.
The community residential care facility operator must specify in writing whether an oral or paper hearing is requested. The request for the hearing must be sent to the hearing official. Timely receipt of a request for a hearing will stay the revocation of VA approval until the hearing official issues a written decision on the community residential care facility's compliance with VA standards. The hearing official may accept a request for a hearing received after the time limit, if the community residential care facility shows that the failure of the request to be received by the hearing official's office by the required date was due to circumstances beyond its control.
§ 17.68   Notice and conduct of hearing.
(a) Upon receipt of a request for an oral hearing, the hearing official shall:
(1) Notify the community residential care facility operator of the date, time, and location for the hearing; and
(2) Notify the community residential care facility operator that written statements and other evidence for the record may be submitted to the hearing official before the date of the hearing. An oral hearing shall be informal. The rules of evidence shall not be followed. Witnesses shall testify under oath or affirmation. A recording or transcript of every oral hearing shall be made. The hearing official may exclude irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious testimony.
(b) Upon the receipt of a community residential care facility's request for a paper hearing, the hearing official shall notify the community residential care facility operator that written statements and other evidence must be submitted to the hearing official by a specified date in order to be considered as part of the record.
(c) In all hearings, the community residential care facility operator and VA may be represented by counsel.
§ 17.69   Waiver of opportunity for hearing.
If representatives of a community residential care facility which receive a notice of noncompliance under § 17.66 of this part fail to appear at an oral hearing of which they have been notified or fail to submit written statements for a paper hearing in accordance with § 17.68 of this part, unless the hearing official determines that their failure was due to circumstances beyond their control, the hearing official shall:
(a) Consider the representatives of the community residential care facility to have waived their opportunity for a hearing; and,
(b) Revoke VA approval of the community residential care facility and notify the community residential care facility of this revocation.
§ 17.70   Written decision following a hearing.
(a) The hearing official shall issue a written decision within 20 days of the completion of the hearing. An oral hearing shall be considered completed when the hearing ceases to receive in person testimony. A paper hearing shall be considered complete on the date by which written statements must be submitted to the hearing official in order to be considered as part of the record.
(b) The hearing official's determination of a community residential care facility's noncompliance with VA standards shall be based on the preponderance of the evidence.
(c) The written decision shall include:
(1) A statement of the facts;
(2) A determination whether the community residential care facility complies with the standards set forth in § 17.63 of this part; and
(3) A determination of the time period, if any, the community residential care facility shall have to remedy any noncompliance with VA standards before revocation of VA approval occurs.
(d) The hearing official's determination of any time period under paragraph (c)(3) of this section shall consider the safety and health of the residents of the community residential care facility and the length of time since the community residential care facility received notice of the noncompliance.
§ 17.71   Revocation of VA approval.
(a) If a hearing official determines under § 17.70 of this part that a community residential care facility does not comply with the standards set forth in § 17.63 of this part and determines that the community residential care facility shall not have further time to remedy the noncompliance, the hearing official shall revoke approval of the community residential care facility and notify the community residential care facility of this revocation.
(b) Upon revocation of VA approval, VA health care personnel shall:
(1) Cease referring veterans to the community residential care facility; and,
(2) Notify any veteran residing in the community residential care facility of the facility's disapproval and request permission to assist in the veteran's removal from the facility. If a veteran has a person or entity authorized by law to give permission on behalf of the veteran, VA health care personnel shall notify that person or entity of the community residential care facility's disapproval and request permission to assist in removing the veteran from the community residential care facility.
(c) If the hearing official determines that a community residential care facility fails to comply with the standards set forth in § 17.63 of this part and determines that the community residential care facility shall have an additional time period to remedy the noncompliance, the hearing official shall review at the end of the time period the evidence of the community residential care facility's compliance with the standards which were to have been met by the end of that time period and determine if the community residential care facility complies with the standards. If the community residential care facility fails to comply with these or any other standards, the procedures set forth in §§ 17.66-17.71 of this part shall be followed.
§ 17.72   Availability of information.
VA standards will be made available to other Federal, State and local agencies charged with the responsibility of licensing, or otherwise regulating or inspecting community residential care facilities.
§ 17.73   Medical foster homes—general.
(a) Purpose. Through the medical foster home program, VA recognizes and approves certain medical foster homes for the placement of veterans. The choice to become a resident of a medical foster home is a voluntary one on the part of each veteran. VA's role is limited to referring veterans to approved medical foster homes. When a veteran is placed in an approved home, VA will provide inspections to ensure that the home continues to meet the requirements of this part, as well as oversight and medical foster home caregiver training. If a medical foster home does not meet VA's criteria for approval, VA will not refer any veteran to the home or provide any of these services. VA may also provide certain medical benefits to veterans placed in medical foster homes, consistent with the VA program in which the veteran is enrolled.
(b) Definitions. For the purposes of this section and § 17.74:
Labeled means that the equipment or materials have attached to them a label, symbol, or other identifying mark of an organization recognized as having jurisdiction over the evaluation and periodic inspection of such equipment or materials, and by whose labeling the manufacturer indicates compliance with appropriate standards or performance.
Medical foster home means a private home in which a medical foster home caregiver provides care to a veteran resident and:
(i) The medical foster home caregiver lives in the medical foster home;
(ii) The medical foster home caregiver owns or rents the medical foster home; and
(iii) There are not more than three residents receiving care (including veteran and non-veteran residents).
Medical foster home caregiver means the primary person who provides care to a veteran resident in a medical foster home.
Placement refers to the voluntary decision by a veteran to become a resident in an approved medical foster home.
Veteran resident means a veteran residing in an approved medical foster home who meets the eligibility criteria in paragraph (c) of this section.
(c) Eligibility. VA health care personnel may assist a veteran by referring such veteran for placement in a medical foster home if:
(1) The veteran is unable to live independently safely or is in need of nursing home level care;
(2) The veteran must be enrolled in, or agree to be enrolled in, either a VA Home Based Primary Care or VA Spinal Cord Injury Homecare program, or a similar VA interdisciplinary program designed to assist medically complex veterans living in the home; and
(3) The medical foster home has been approved in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.
(d) Approval of medical foster homes. Medical foster homes will be approved by a VA Medical Foster Homes Coordinator based on the report of a VA inspection and on any findings of necessary interim monitoring of the medical foster home, if that home meets the standards established in § 17.74. The approval process is governed by the process for approving community residential care facilities under §§ 17.65 through 17.72 except as follows:
(1) Where §§ 17.65 through 17.72 reference § 17.63.
(2) Because VA does not physically place veterans in medical foster homes, VA also does not assist veterans in moving out of medical foster homes as we do for veterans in other community residential care facilities under § 17.72(d)(2); however, VA will assist such veterans in locating an approved medical foster home when relocation is necessary.
(e) Duties of Medical foster home caregivers. The medical foster home caregiver, with assistance from relief caregivers, provides a safe environment, room and board, supervision, and personal assistance, as appropriate for each veteran.
§ 17.74   Standards applicable to medical foster homes.
(a) General. A medical foster home must:
(1) Meet all applicable state and local regulations, including construction, maintenance, and sanitation regulations.
(2) Have safe and functioning systems for heating, hot and cold water, electricity, plumbing, sewage, cooking, laundry, artificial and natural light, and ventilation. Ventilation for cook stoves is not required.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, meet the applicable provisions of chapters 1 through 11 and 24, and section 33.7 of NFPA 101 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1), and the other codes and chapters identified in this section, as applicable. Existing buildings or installations that do not comply with the installation provisions of the codes or standards referenced in paragraph (b)(1) through (5), (b)(8), and (b)(10) of § 17.1 shall be permitted to be continued in service, provided that the lack of conformity with these codes and standards does not present a serious hazard to the occupants.
(b) Community residential care facility standards applicable to medical foster homes. Medical foster homes must comply with § 17.63(c), (d), (f), (h), (j) and (k).
(c) Activities. The facility must plan and facilitate appropriate recreational and leisure activities.
(d) Residents' bedrooms. Each veteran resident must have a bedroom:
(1) With a door that closes and latches;
(2) That contains a suitable bed and appropriate furniture; and
(3) That is single occupancy, unless the veteran agrees to a multi-occupant bedroom.
(e) Windows. VA may grant provisional approval for windows used as a secondary means of escape that do not meet the minimum size and dimensions required by chapter 24 of NFPA 101 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1) if the windows are a minimum of 5.0 square feet (and at least 20 inches wide and at least 22 inches high). The secondary means of escape must be brought into compliance with chapter 24 no later than 60 days after a veteran resident is placed in the home.
(f) Special locking devices. Special locking devices that do not comply with section 7.2.1.5 of NFPA 101 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1) are permitted where the clinical needs of the veteran resident require specialized security measures and with the written approval of:
(1) The responsible VA clinician; and
(2) The VA fire/safety specialist or the Director of the VA Medical Center of jurisdiction.
(g) Smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and smoke and CO alarms. Medical foster homes must comply with this paragraph (g) no later than 60 days after the first veteran is placed in the home. Prior to compliance, VA inspectors will provisionally approve a medical foster home for the duration of this 60-day period if the medical foster home mitigates risk through the use of battery-operated single station alarms, provided that the alarms are installed before any veteran is placed in the home.
(1) Smoke detectors or smoke alarms must be provided in accordance with sections 24.3.4.1.1 or 24.3.4.1.2 of NFPA 101 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1); section 24.3.4.1.3 of NFPA 101 will not be used. In addition, smoke alarms must be interconnected so that the operation of any smoke alarm causes an alarm in all smoke alarms within the medical foster home. Smoke detectors or smoke alarms must not be installed in the kitchen or any other location subject to causing false alarms.
(2) CO detectors or CO alarms must be installed in any medical foster home with a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage, in accordance with NFPA 720 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1).
(3) Combination CO/smoke detectors and combination CO/smoke alarms are permitted.
(4) Smoke detectors and smoke alarms must initiate a signal to a remote supervising station to notify emergency forces in the event of an alarm.
(5) Smoke and/or CO alarms and smoke and/or CO detectors, and all other elements of a fire alarm system, must be inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 72 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1) and NFPA 720 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1).
(h) Sprinkler systems. (1) If a sprinkler system is installed, it must be inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1), unless the sprinkler system is installed in accordance with NFPA 13D (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1). If a sprinkler system is installed in accordance with NFPA 13D, it must be inspected annually by a competent person.
(2) If sprinkler flow or pressure switches are installed, they must activate notification appliances in the medical foster home, and must initiate a signal to the remote supervising station.
(i) Fire extinguishers. At least one 2-A:10-B:C rated fire extinguisher must be visible and readily accessible on each floor, including basements, and must be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Portable fire extinguishers must be inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 10 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1).
(j) Emergency lighting. Each occupied floor must have at least one plug-in rechargeable flashlight, operable and readily accessible, or other approved emergency lighting. Such emergency lighting must be tested monthly and replaced if not functioning.
(k) Fireplaces. A non-combustible hearth, in addition to protective glass doors or metal mesh screens, is required for fireplaces. Hearths and protective devices must meet all applicable state and local fire codes.
(l) Portable heaters. Portable heaters may be used if they are maintained in good working condition and:
(1) The heating elements of such heaters do not exceed 212 degrees Fahrenheit (100 degrees Celsius);
(2) The heaters are labeled; and
(3) The heaters have tip-over protection.
(m) Oxygen safety. Any area where oxygen is used or stored must not be near an open flame and must have a posted “No Smoking” sign. Oxygen cylinders must be adequately secured or protected to prevent damage to cylinders. Whenever possible, transfilling of liquid oxygen must take place outside of the living areas of the home.
(n) Smoking. Smoking must be prohibited in all sleeping rooms, including sleeping rooms of non-veteran residents. Ashtrays must be made of noncombustible materials.
(o) Special/other hazards. (1) Extension cords must be three-pronged, grounded, sized properly, and not present a hazard due to inappropriate routing, pinching, damage to the cord, or risk of overloading an electrical panel circuit.
(2) Flammable or combustible liquids and other hazardous material must be safely and properly stored in either the original, labeled container or a safety can as defined by NFPA 30 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1).
(p) Emergency egress and relocation drills. Operating features of the medical foster home must comply with section 33.7 of NFPA 101 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1), except that section 33.7.3.6 of NFPA 101 does not apply. Instead, VA will enforce the following requirements:
(1) Before placement in a medical foster home, the veteran will be clinically evaluated by VA to determine whether the veteran is able to participate in emergency egress and relocation drills. Within 24 hours after arrival, each veteran resident must be shown how to respond to a fire alarm and evacuate the medical foster home, unless the veteran resident is unable to participate.
(2) The medical foster home caregiver must demonstrate the ability to evacuate all occupants within three minutes to a point of safety outside of the medical foster home that has access to a public way, as defined in NFPA 101 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1).
(3) If all occupants are not evacuated within three minutes or if a veteran resident is either permanently or temporarily unable to participate in drills, then the medical foster home will be given a 60-day provisional approval, after which time the home must have established one of the following remedial options or VA will terminate the approval in accordance with § 17.65.
(i) The home is protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with section 9.7 of NFPA 101 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1) and whichever of the following apply: NFPA 13 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1); NFPA 13R (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1); or NFPA 13D (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1).
(ii) Each veteran resident who is permanently or temporarily unable to participate in a drill or who fails to evacuate within three minutes must have a bedroom located at the ground level with direct access to the exterior of the home that does not require travel through any other portion of the residence, and access to the ground level must meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The medical foster home caregiver's bedroom must also be on ground level.
(4) The 60-day provisional approval under paragraph (p)(3) of this section may be contingent upon increased fire prevention measures, including but not limited to prohibiting smoking or use of a fireplace. However, each veteran resident who is temporarily unable to participate in a drill will be permitted to be excused from up to two drills within one 12-month period, provided that the two excused drills are not consecutive, and this will not be a cause for VA to not approve the home.
(5) For purposes of paragraph (p), the term all occupants means every person in the home at the time of the emergency egress and relocation drill, including non-residents.
(q) Records of compliance with this section. The medical foster home must comply with § 17.63(i) regarding facility records, and must document all inspection, testing, drills and maintenance activities required by this section. Such documentation must be maintained for 3 years or for the period specified by the applicable NFPA standard, whichever is longer. Documentation of emergency egress and relocation drills must include the date, time of day, length of time to evacuate the home, the name of each medical foster home caregiver who participated, the name of each resident, whether the resident participated, and whether the resident required assistance.
(r) Local permits and emergency response. Where applicable, a permit or license must be obtained for occupancy or business by the medical foster home caregiver from the local building or business authority. When there is a home occupant who is incapable of self-preservation, the local fire department or response agency must be notified by the medical foster home within 7 days of the beginning of the occupant's residency.
(s) Equivalencies. Any equivalencies to VA requirements must be in accordance with section 1.4.3 of NFPA 101 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1), and must be approved in writing by the appropriate Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) Director. A veteran living in a medical foster home when the equivalency is granted or who is placed there after it is granted must be notified in writing of the equivalencies and that he or she must be willing to accept such equivalencies. The notice must describe the exact nature of the equivalency, the requirements of this section with which the medical foster home is unable to comply, and explain why the VISN Director deemed the equivalency necessary. Only equivalencies that the VISN Director determines do not pose a risk to the health or safety of the veteran may be granted. Also, equivalencies may only be granted when technical requirements of this section cannot be complied with absent undue expense, there is no other nearby home which can serve as an adequate alternative, and the equivalency is in the best interest of the veteran.
(t) Cost of medical foster homes. (1) Payment for the charges to veterans for the cost of medical foster home care is not the responsibility of the United States Government.
(2) The resident or an authorized personal representative and a representative of the medical foster home facility must agree upon the charge and payment procedures for medical foster home care.
(3) The charges for medical foster home care must be comparable to prices charged by other assisted living and nursing home facilities in the area based on the veteran's changing care needs and local availability of medical foster homes. (The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information collection requirements in this section under control number 2900-0777.)
§ 17.80   Alcohol and drug dependence or abuse treatment and rehabilitation in residential and nonresidential facilities by contract.
(a) Alcohol and drug dependence or abuse treatment and rehabilitation may be authorized by contract in nonresidential facilities and in residential facilities provided by halfway houses, therapeutic communities, psychiatric residential treatment centers and other community-based treatment facilities, when considered to be medically advantageous and cost effective for the following:
(1) Veterans who have been or are being furnished care by professional staff over which the Secretary has jurisdiction and such transitional care is reasonably necessary to continue treatment;
(2) Persons in the Armed Forces who, upon discharge therefrom will become eligible veterans, when duly referred with authorization for Department of Veterans Affairs medical center hospital care in preparation for treatment and rehabilitation in this program under the following limitations:
(i) Such persons may be accepted by transfer only during the last 30 days of such person's enlistment or tour of duty,
(ii) The person requests transfer in writing for treatment for a specified period of time during the last 30 days of such person's enlistment period or tour of duty,
(iii) Treatment does not extend beyond the period of time specified in the request unless such person requests in writing an extension for a further specified period of time and such request is approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Director authorizing treatment and rehabilitation,
(iv) Such care and treatment will be provided as if the person were a veteran, subject to reimbursement by the respective military service for the costs of hospital care and control treatment provided while the person is an active duty member.
(b) The maximum period for one treatment episode is limited to 60 days. The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Director may authorize one 30-day extension.
(c) Any person who has been discharged or released from active military, naval or air service, and who, upon application for treatment and rehabilitative services under the authority of this section is determined to be legally ineligible for such treatment or rehabilitation services shall be:
(1) Provided referral services to assist the person, to the maximum extent possible, in obtaining treatment and rehabilitation services from sources outside the Department of Veterans Affairs, not at Department of Veterans Affairs expense and,
(2) If pertinent, advised of the right to apply to the appropriate military, naval or air service and the Department of Veterans Affairs for review of such person's discharge or release from such service.
§ 17.81   Contracts for residential treatment services for veterans with alcohol or drug dependence or abuse disabilities.
(a) Contracts for treatment services authorized under § 17.80(a) may be awarded in accordance with applicable Department of Veterans Affairs and Federal procurement procedures. Such contracts will be awarded only after the quality and effectiveness, including adequate protection for the safety of the residents of the contractor's program, has been determined and then only to contractors, determined by the Under Secretary for Health or designee to meet the following requirements.
(1) Meet fire safety requirements as follows:
(i) The building must meet the requirements in the applicable provisions of NFPA 101 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1) and the other publications referenced in those provisions. Any equivalencies or variances to VA requirements must be approved by the appropriate Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) Director.
(ii) Where applicable, the home must have a current occupancy permit issued by the local and state governments in the jurisdiction where the home is located.
(iii) All Department of Veterans Affairs sponsored residents will be mentally and physically capable of leaving the building, unaided, in the event of an emergency. Halfway house, therapeutic community and other residential program management must agree that all the other residents in any building housing veterans will also have such capability.
(iv) There must be at least one staff member on duty 24 hours a day.
(v) The facility must meet the following additional requirements, if the provisions for One and Two-Family Dwellings, as defined in NFPA 101, are applicable to the facility:
(A) Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed, inspected, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 10 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1).
(B) The facility shall meet the requirements in section 33.7 of NFPA 101.
(vi) An annual fire and safety inspection shall be conducted at the halfway house or residential facility by qualified Department of Veterans Affairs personnel. If a review of past Department of Veterans Affairs inspections or inspections made by the local authorities indicates that a fire and safety inspection would not be necessary, then the visit to the facility may be waived.
(2) Be in compliance with existing standards of State safety codes and local, and/or State health and sanitation codes.
(3) Be licensed under State or local authority.
(4) Where applicable, be accredited by the State.
(5) Comply with the requirements of the “Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records” (42 CFR part II) and the “Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records” (38 U.S.C. 7332), which shall be part of the contract.
(6) Demonstrate an existing capability to furnish the following:
(i) A supervised alcohol and drug free environment, including active affiliation with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) programs.
(ii) Staff sufficient in numbers and position qualifications to carry out the policies, responsibilities, and programs of the facility.
(iii) Board and room.
(iv) Laundry facilities for residents to do their own laundry.
(v) Structured activities.
(vi) Appropriate group activities, including physical activities.
(vii) Health and personal hygiene maintenance.
(viii) Monitoring administration of medications.
(ix) Supportive social service.
(x) Individual counseling as appropriate.
(xi) Opportunities for learning/development of skills and habits which will enable Department of Veterans Affairs sponsored residents to adjust to and maintain freedom from dependence on or involvement with alcohol or drug abuse or dependence during or subsequent to leaving the facility.
(xii) Support for the individual desire for sobriety (alcohol/drug abuse-free life style).
(xiii) Opportunities for learning, testing, and internalizing knowledge of illness/recovery process, and for upgrading skills and improving personal relationships.
(7) Data normally maintained and included in a medical record as a function of compliance with State or community licensing standards will be accessible.
(b) Representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs will inspect the facility prior to award of a contract to assure that prescribed requirements can be met. Inspections may also be carried out at such other times as deemed necessary by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(c) All requirements in this rule, and Department of Veterans Affairs reports of inspection of residential facilities furnishing treatment and rehabilitation services to eligible veterans shall to the extent possible, be made available to all government agencies charged with the responsibility of licensing or otherwise regulating or inspecting such institutions.
(d) An individual case record will be created for each client which shall be maintained in security and confidence as required by the “Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records” (42 CFR part 2) and the “Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records” (38 U.S.C. 7332), and will be made available on a need to know basis to appropriate Department of Veterans Affairs staff members involved with the treatment program of the veterans concerned.
(e) Contractors under this section shall provide reports of budget and case load experience upon request from a Department of Veterans Affairs official.
§ 17.82   Contracts for outpatient services for veterans with alcohol or drug dependence or abuse disabilities.
(a) Contracts for treatment services authorized under § 17.80 may be awarded in accordance with applicable Department of Veterans Affairs and Federal procurement procedures. Such contracts will be awarded only after the quality and effectiveness, including adequate protection for the safety of the participants of the contractor's program, has been determined and then only to contractors determined by the Under Secretary for Health or designee to be fully capable of meeting the following standards:
(1) The following minimum fire safety requirements must be met:
(i) The building must meet the requirements in the applicable provisions of the NFPA 101 (incorporated by reference, see § 17.1) and the other publications referenced in those provisions. Any equivalencies or variances to VA requirements must be approved by the appropriate Veterans Health Administration Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) Director.
(ii) Where applicable, the facility must have a current occupancy permit issued by the local and state governments in the jurisdiction where the home is located.
(iii) All Department of Veterans Affairs sponsored patients will be mentally and physically capable of leaving the building, unaided, in the event of an emergency.
(iv) As a minimum, fire exit drills must be held at least quarterly, and a written plan for evacuation in the event of fire shall be developed and reviewed annually. The plan shall outline the duties, responsibilities and actions to be taken by the staff in the event of a fire emergency. This plan shall be implemented during fire exit drills.
(v) An annual fire and safety inspection shall be conducted at the facility by qualified Department of Veterans Affairs personnel. If a review of past Department of Veterans Affairs inspections or inspections made by the local authorities indicates that a fire and safety inspection would not be necessary, then the visit to the facility may be waived.
(2) Conform to existing standards of State safety codes and local and/or State health and sanitation codes.
(3) Be licensed under State or local authority.
(4) Where applicable, be accredited by the State.
(5) Comply with the requirements of the “Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records” (42 CFR part 2) and the “Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records” (38 U.S.C. 7332), which shall be part of the contract.
(6) Demonstrate an existing capability to furnish the following:
(i) A supervised, alcohol and drug free environment, including active affiliation with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) programs.
(ii) Staff sufficient in numbers and position qualifications to carry out the policies, responsibilities, and programs of the facility.
(iii) Structured activities.
(iv) Appropriate group activities.
(v) Monitoring medications.
(vi) Supportive social service.
(vii) Individual counseling as appropriate.
(viii) Opportunities for learning/development of skills and habits which will enable Department of Veterans Affairs sponsored residents to adjust to and maintain freedom from dependence on or involvement with alcohol or drug abuse or dependence during or subsequent to leaving the facility.
(ix) Support for the individual desire for sobriety (alcohol/drug abuse-free life style).
(x) Opportunities for learning, testing, and internalizing knowledge of illness/recovery process, and to upgrade skills and improve personal relationships.
(7) Data normally maintained and included in a medical record as a function of compliance with State or community licensing standards will be accessible.
(b) Representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs will inspect the facility prior to award of a contract to assure that prescribed requirements can be met. Inspections may also be carried out at such other times as deemed necessary by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(c) All requirements in this rule and Department of Veterans Affairs reports of inspection of residential facilities furnishing treatment and rehabilitation services to eligible veterans shall, to the extent possible, be made available to all government agencies charged with the responsibility of licensing or otherwise regulating or inspecting such institutions.
(d) An individual case record will be created for each client which shall be maintained in security and confidence as required by the “Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records” (42 CFR part 2) and the “Confidentiality of Certain Medical Records” (38 U.S.C. 7332), and will be made available on a need to know basis to appropriate Department of Veterans Affairs staff members involved with the treatment program of the veterans concerned.
§ 17.83   Limitations on payment for alcohol and drug dependence or abuse treatment and rehabilitation.
The authority to enter into contracts shall be effective for any fiscal year only to such extent or in such amounts as are provided in appropriation acts, and payments shall not exceed these amounts.
§ 17.85   Treatment of research-related injuries to human subjects.
(a) VA medical facilities shall provide necessary medical treatment to a research subject injured as a result of participation in a research project approved by a VA Research and Development Committee and conducted under the supervision of one or more VA employees. This section does not apply to:
(1) Treatment for injuries due to noncompliance by a subject with study procedures, or
(2) Research conducted for VA under a contract with an individual or a non-VA institution.
Veterans who are injured as a result of participation in such research may be eligible for care from VA under other provisions of this part.
(b) Except in the following situations, care for VA research subjects under this section shall be provided in VA medical facilities.
(1) If VA medical facilities are not capable of furnishing economical care or are not capable of furnishing the care or services required, VA medical facility directors shall contract for the needed care.
(2) If inpatient care must be provided to a non-veteran under this section, VA medical facility directors may contract for such care.
(3) If a research subject needs treatment in a medical emergency for a condition covered by this section, VA medical facility directors shall provide reasonable reimbursement for the emergency treatment in a non-VA facility.
(c) For purposes of this section, “VA employee” means any person appointed by VA as an officer or employee and acting within the scope of his or her appointment (VA appoints officers and employees under title 5 and title 38 of the United States Code).
§ 17.86   Provision of hospital care and medical services during certain disasters and emergencies under 38 U.S.C. 1785.
(a) This section sets forth regulations regarding the provision of hospital care and medical services under 38 U.S.C. 1785.
(b) During and immediately following a disaster or emergency referred to in paragraph (c) of this section, VA under 38 U.S.C. 1785 may furnish hospital care and medical services to individuals (including those who otherwise do not have VA eligibility for such care and services) responding to, involved in, or otherwise affected by that disaster or emergency.
(c) For purposes of this section, a disaster or emergency means:
(1) A major disaster or emergency declared by the President under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. ) (Stafford Act); or
(2) A disaster or emergency in which the National Disaster Medical System established pursuant to section 2811(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh-11(b)) is activated either by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under paragraph (3)(A) of that section or as otherwise authorized by law.
(d) For purposes of paragraph (b) of this section, the terms hospital care and medical services have the meanings given such terms by 38 U.S.C. 1701(5) and 1701(6).
(e) The cost of care for medical care and services provided under this section will be determined in accordance with the following:
(1) If the care is provided to an officer or employee of a non-VA Federal agency VA will charge the rate agreed upon by the Secretary and the head of such department or agency or the Secretary concerned. If no such rate has been agreed to, VA will charge the Inter-Agency Rate as prescribed in § 17.102(c).
(2) If the care is provided to a member of the Armed Forces VA will charge the rate agreed upon by the Secretary and the head of such branch or the Secretary concerned. If no such rate has been agreed to, VA will charge the Inter-Agency Rate as prescribed in § 17.102(c).
(3) If the care is authorized under a sharing agreement as described in 38 U.S.C. 8111 or 8153 or § 17.240, VA will charge the rate determined in accordance with the sharing agreement.
(4) If the care is provided to an individual who is responsible for the cost of the care, VA will charge the Cost-Based Rate as prescribed in § 17.102(c). Individuals will be responsible for the cost of care or services if mandated by Federal law (including applicable Appropriations Acts) or when the cost of care or services is not reimbursed by other-than-VA Federal departments or agencies.
(f) VA may furnish care and services under this section to a veteran without regard to whether that individual is enrolled in the VA healthcare system under 38 U.S.C. 1705 and § 17.36 of this part.
§ 17.90   Medical care for veterans receiving vocational training under 38 U.S.C. chapter 15.
Hospital care, nursing home care and medical services may be provided to any veteran who is participating in a vocational training program under 38 U.S.C. chapter 15.
(a) For purposes of determining eligibility for this medical benefit, the term participating in a vocational training program under 38 U.S.C. chapter 15 means the same as the term participating in a rehabilitation program under 38 U.S.C. chapter 31 as defined in § 17.47(i). Eligibility for such medical care will continue only while the veteran is participating in the vocational training program.
(b) The term hospital care and medical services means class V dental care, priority III medical services, nursing home care and non-VA hospital care and/or fee medical/dental care if VA is unable to provide the required medical care economically at VA or other government facilities because of geographic inaccessibility or because of the unavailability of the required services at VA facilities.
§ 17.91   Protection of health-care eligibility.
Any veteran whose entitlement to VA pension is terminated by reason of income from work or training shall, subject to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, retain for 3 years after the termination, the eligibility for hospital care, nursing home care and medical services (not including dental) which the veteran otherwise would have had if the pension had not been terminated as a result of the veteran's receipt of earnings from activity performed for remuneration or gain by the veteran but only if the veteran's annual income from sources other than such earnings would, taken alone, not result in the termination of the veteran's pension.
(a) A veteran who participates in a vocational training program under 38 U.S.C. chapter 15 is eligible for the one-time 3 year retention of hospital care, nursing home care and medical services benefits at any time that the veteran's pension is terminated by reason of income from the veteran's employment.
(b) A veteran who does not participate in a vocational training program under 38 U.S.C. chapter 15 is eligible for the one-time 3 year retention of hospital care and medical services benefits only if the veteran's pension is terminated by reason of income from the veteran's employment during the period February 1, 1985 through January 31, 1989.