VA Billing Accountability Act

Bill: 115-hr-1972
Sponsor: Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-16]
Introduced: 2017-04-06 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Debt collection
Hospital care
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2017-04-06
text: 

VA Billing Accountability Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to waive the requirement that a veteran make copayments for medications, hospital care, nursing home care, and medical services if: 
 
 
an error committed by the VA or a VA employee was the cause of delaying copayment notification to the veteran, and 
 
the veteran received such notification later than 120 days (18 months in the case of a non-VA facility) after the date on which the veteran received the care or services.
 
 
In requiring a veteran to make a copayment for care or services provided at a VA or a non-VA medical facility, the VA shall notify the veteran not later than 120 days (18 months in the case of a non-VA facility) after the date on which the veteran received the care or services. If the VA does not provide notification by such date, it may not collect the payment, including through a third-party entity, unless the veteran is provided with:
 
 
information about applying for a waiver and establishing a payment plan with the VA, and 
 
an opportunity to make a waiver or establish a payment plan.
 
 
The VA shall review and improve its copayment billing internal controls and notification procedures.

action_date: 2018-05-18
text: 

VA Billing Accountability Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to waive the requirement that a veteran make copayments for medication, hospital care, nursing home care, or medical services if the veteran received copayment notification more than 180 days after the medical service or receipt of medication and such delay was caused by VA error.
 
In requiring a veteran to make a copayment for medical services, the VA shall notify the veteran within 180 days (18 months in the case of a non-VA facility) of the service. If the VA does not provide such notification, it may not collect the payment unless the veteran is provided with an opportunity to apply for a waiver or establish a payment plan.
 
The VA shall review and improve its copayment billing internal controls and notification procedures.

action_date: 2018-05-21
text: 

VA Billing Accountability Act

 
 (Sec. 2) This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to waive the requirement that a veteran make copayments for medication, hospital care, nursing home care, or medical services if the veteran received copayment notification more than 180 days after the medical service or receipt of medication and such delay was caused by VA error.
 
In requiring a veteran to make a copayment for medical services, the VA shall notify the veteran within 180 days (18 months in the case of a non-VA facility) of the service. If the VA does not provide such notification, it may not collect the payment unless the veteran is provided with an opportunity to apply for a waiver or establish a payment plan.
 
The VA shall review and improve its copayment billing internal controls and notification procedures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-05-22
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2018-05-21
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-05-21
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4247)
action_date: 2018-05-21
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H4247)
action_date: 2018-05-21
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1972.
action_date: 2018-05-21
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4247-4248)
action_date: 2018-05-21
text: Mr. Dunn moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2018-05-18
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 524.
action_date: 2018-05-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-681.
action_date: 2018-05-18
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-681.
action_date: 2018-05-08
text: Subcommittee on Health Discharged.
action_date: 2018-05-08
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2018-05-08
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2017-09-26
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2017-04-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2017-04-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-04-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2017-04-06
text: Introduced in House