Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Veterans Choice Equal Cost for Care Act of 2016”.
Veterans Choice Equal Cost for Care Act of 2016
A BILL
To modify the treatment of the costs of health care furnished under section 101 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to veterans covered by health-plan contracts.
Sec. 2 Modification of treatment of costs of care under Choice Program for veterans covered by health-plan contracts
Section 101(e) of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended—
by striking paragraphs (2) and (3); and
by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraphs:
“(2) Responsibility for costs of certain care—In any case in which an eligible veteran is furnished hospital care or medical services under this section for a non-service-connected disability described in subsection (a)(2) of section 1729 of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary may recover or collect reasonable charges for such care or services from a health-care plan described in paragraph (4) in accordance with such section.
“(3) Payment by Department
“(A) In general—The Secretary shall pay the amount of any cost sharing under a health-care plan described in paragraph (4) that is charged to an eligible veteran for hospital care or medical services furnished under this section.
“(B) Maximum amount paid by veteran—An eligible veteran shall not pay a greater amount for receiving hospital care or medical services under this section than the amount the veteran would pay for receiving the same or comparable care or services at a medical facility of the Department or from a health care provider of the Department.”