Veterans would find it easier to receive health care services from non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) providers under a proposed VA regulation.
 
Under the proposed rule, published Nov. 27, would allow “veterans who have been furnished hospital care, nursing home care, domiciliary care, or medical services, and who require medical services to complete treatment incident to such care or services, would be eligible for non-VA medical services.”
 
The regulation would give the VA greater flexibility to refer patients for care "when VA facilities are not capable of providing such services due to geographical inaccessibility or are not capable of providing the services needed," the proposal states. One effect could be expanded use of home health agencies by veterans, as home health care typically is contracted out to non-VA providers, notes the National Association for Home Care & Hospice.
 
The regulation would make it clear that each authorization for the non-VA care needed to complete treatment may continue for up to 12 months but that new authorizations may be issued as needed.  One thing the proposed rule doesn’t address, though, is how much the VA would pay for non-VA care.
 
Editor's note: Find the proposed rule here.