Bill > HR4077

This bill, known as the GUARD Veterans' Health Care Act, aims to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) ability to recover costs for healthcare services provided to veterans. The bill makes two primary modifications: first, it requires Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans to reimburse the VA for healthcare services they provide to veterans enrolled in these plans, starting January 1, 2026. This means if a veteran receives care from the VA that would typically be covered by Medicare, the Medicare plan must pay the VA for those services. Second, the bill expands and strengthens the VA's rights to recover reasonable charges for care provided to veterans with non-service-connected disabilities. The legislation introduces new procedures for third-party reimbursement, including strict timelines for payment, penalties for non-compliance, and provisions that allow the VA to take legal action to recover costs. The bill also clarifies that the VA's recovery rights are not limited to specific fee schedules and can include a wide range of healthcare services and situations, such as tort claims, workers' compensation, and automobile accident insurance. These changes are designed to ensure the VA can more effectively recoup healthcare expenses and maintain financial resources to provide quality care to veterans.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4077/all-info