Veterans ACCESS Act

To prohibit certain health care providers from providing non-Department health care services to veterans, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Acquiring Community Care Expect Safe Services Act of 2016 Veterans ACCESS Act 2. Prevention of certain health care providers from providing non-Department health care services to veterans (a) In general The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall deny or revoke the eligibility of a health care provider to provide non-Department health care services to veterans if the Secretary determines that— (1) the health care provider was removed from employment with the Department of Veterans Affairs due to conduct that violated a policy of the Department; (2) the health care provider violated the requirements of a medical license of the health care provider; (3) the health care provider had a Department certification revoked; or (4) the health care provider violated a law for which a term of imprisonment of more than one year may be imposed. (b) Permissive action The Secretary may deny, revoke, or suspend the eligibility of a health care provider to provide non-Department health care services if the Secretary has reasonable belief that such action is necessary to immediately protect the health, safety, or welfare of veterans and— (1) the health care provider is under investigation by the medical board of a State in which the health care provider is licensed or practices; (2) the health care provider has entered into a settlement agreement for a disciplinary charge relating to the practice of medicine by the health care provider; or (3) the Secretary otherwise determines that such action is appropriate under the circumstances. (c) Suspension The Secretary shall suspend the eligibility of a health care provider to provide non-Department health care services to veterans if the health care provider is suspended from serving as a health care provider of the Department. (d) Non-Department health care services defined In this section, the term non-Department health care services (1) services provided under subchapter I of chapter 17 (2) services provided under section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 ( Public Law 113–146 38 U.S.C. 1701 (3) services purchased through the Medical Community Care account of the Department; or (4) services purchased with amounts deposited in the Veterans Choice Fund under section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014.

Summary: Veterans Acquiring Community Care Expect Safe Services Act of 2016 or the Veterans ACCESS Act This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to deny or revoke a health care provider's eligibility to provide non-VA health care services to veterans if such provider: (1) was removed from VA employment for violating VA policy, (2) violated medical license requirements, (3) had a VA certification revoked, or (4) violated a law for which a prison term of more than one year may be imposed. The VA may deny, revoke, or suspend a health care provider's eligibility to provide non-VA health care services if the VA has reasonable belief that such action is necessary to protect the health or safety of veterans and: (1) the provider is under investigation by the medical board of a state in which the provider is licensed or practices, (2) the provider has entered into a settlement agreement for a medical-related disciplinary charge, or (3) the VA otherwise determines that such action is appropriate. The VA shall suspend a health care provider's eligibility to provide non-VA health care services to veterans if such provider is suspended from VA service.