---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 8159"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "8159"
heading: "Authority to pay for services authorized but not subject to an agreement"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/8159"
units:
  - "Part VI — Acquisition and Disposition of Property"
  - "Chapter 81 — Acquisition and Operation of Hospital and Domiciliary Facilities; Procurement and Supply; Enhanced-Use Leases of Real Property"
  - "Subchapter IV — Sharing of Medical Facilities, Equipment, and Information"
---

# §8159. Authority to pay for services authorized but not subject to an agreement

- (a) **In General.—** If, in the course of furnishing [hospital](/usc/38/8152.md?p=3) care, a medical service, or an extended care service authorized by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and pursuant to a contract, agreement, or other arrangement with the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1), a provider who is not a party to the contract, agreement, or other arrangement furnishes [hospital](/usc/38/8152.md?p=3) care, a medical service, or an extended care service that the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) considers necessary, the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) may compensate the provider for the cost of such care or service.
- (b) **New Contracts and Agreements.—** The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall take reasonable efforts to enter into a contract, agreement, or other arrangement with a provider described in [subsection (a)](#a) to ensure that future care and services authorized by the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) and furnished by the provider are subject to such a contract, agreement, or other arrangement.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 115–182, title I, § 112(a), June 6, 2018, 132 Stat. 1421.)