[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 157 (Monday, August 15, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 50540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20675]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Pilot Program of Enhanced Contract Care Authority for Veterans in 
Highly Rural Areas

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is implementing Sec.  
403 of Public Law (Pub. L.) 110-387, ``Veterans' Mental Health and 
Other Care Improvements Act of 2008,'' which requires VA to establish a 
pilot program to contract with non-VA health care providers to provide 
health services to highly rural veterans. This program will assist 
veterans who often have great difficulty obtaining VA health care due 
to physical distance to VA facilities.

DATES: Effective Date: This notice is effective August 15, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia Suh, Department of Veterans 
Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave, NW., Washington, DC 20420, (202) 461-7157. 
(This is not a toll-free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 308 of Public Law 111-163, the 
``Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010,'' 
amended the ``Veterans' Mental Health and Other Care Improvements Act 
of 2008,'' Public Law 110-387, Sec.  403, which had required VA to 
establish a pilot program under which we provide covered health 
services to eligible veterans through qualifying non-VA health care 
providers. Based on the amendments made by Sec.  308, VA can 
immediately implement the pilot program. This notice will describe how 
VA will implement the program.
    Pursuant to the authorizing legislation, VA will contract with 
medical professionals to provide care to covered veterans, as defined 
by Sec.  403(b), as amended. Under Sec.  403(b), a covered veteran is 
any enrolled veteran as of the date of the commencement of the pilot 
program or eligible under section 1710(e)(3) of Title 38, who resides 
in a location that is ``more than 60 minutes driving distance from the 
nearest Department health care facility providing primary care 
services, if the veteran is seeking such services; more than 120 
minutes driving distance from the nearest Department health care 
facility providing acute hospital care, if the veteran is seeking such 
care; or more than 240 minutes driving distance from the nearest 
Department health care facility providing tertiary care, if the veteran 
is seeking such care.''
    Under Sec.  403(d), VA must determine whether a particular entity 
or individual is qualified to furnish health care through the pilot 
program. VA will determine that an entity or individual is qualified to 
provide care through the pilot program using the contracting process. 
Contracts under the pilot program will specify that the entity or 
individual must meet specified, appropriate credentialing, patient 
safety, and quality requirements and standards identified in the 
solicitation package. These requirements and standards will be as 
similar as possible to the requirements and standards generally used by 
VA when VA contracts for non-VA care. This is consistent with the 
legislation, which requires VA to use contracts in order to arrange for 
the provision of care through the pilot program. See Public Law 110-
387, Sec.  403(f).
    Section 403(a)(4) of Public Law 110-387 establishes specific 
criteria for the selection of five Veterans Integrated Service Networks 
(VISNs) in which VA is authorized to conduct the pilot program. These 
specific, congressionally mandated criteria eliminate from 
consideration all but the following five VISNs: VISNs 1, 6, 15, 18, and 
19.
    Pursuant to Public Law 110-387, Sec.  403(e), veteran participation 
in the program will be voluntary. The law requires VA to permit 
veterans to elect to receive covered services through this program ``in 
such form * * * as the Secretary shall specify.'' We have determined 
that all that is necessary is the veteran's consent because VA will 
already be in possession of sufficient information to administer the 
pilot program for a specific veteran based on the veteran's eligibility 
for VA health care. Veterans who wish to participate will need to 
provide a signed consent form which can be obtained by contacting VA 
health care facilities within VISNs 1, 6, 15, 18, and 19.

Signing Authority

    The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or designee, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs. John R. 
Gingrich, Chief of Staff, Department of Veterans Affairs, approved this 
document on September 23, 2010, for publication.

    Dated: August 10, 2011.
William F. Russo,
Deputy Director, Office of Regulation Policy & Management, Department 
of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2011-20675 Filed 8-12-11; 8:45 am]
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