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Bill115th CongressFiled Apr 6, 2017Armed Forces and National Security
H.R. 1972

VA Billing Accountability Act

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (May 21, 2018)

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.

What just happenedMay 22, 2018

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-16](R-PA)Sponsor
48 cosponsors3 D45 R
Read on Congress.gov
48cosponsors2committees18actions4subjects
  1. May 22, 2018IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  2. May 21, 2018FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. May 21, 2018FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4247)

  4. May 21, 2018Floor8000

    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)

  5. May 21, 2018FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1972.

  6. May 21, 2018FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4247-4248)

  7. May 21, 2018FloorH30300

    Mr. Dunn moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  8. May 18, 2018CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 524.

  9. May 18, 2018CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-681.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  10. May 18, 2018Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. H. Rept. 115-681.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  11. May 8, 2018Committee

    Subcommittee on Health Discharged.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  12. May 8, 2018Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  13. May 8, 2018Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  14. Sep 26, 2017Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Health Subcommittee
  15. Apr 7, 2017Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

    Health Subcommittee
  16. Apr 6, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

    Veterans' Affairs Committee
  17. Apr 6, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  18. Apr 6, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedMay 21, 201836

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.

Reported to House with amendment(s)May 18, 201817

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.

Introduced in HouseApr 6, 2017

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.

VA Billing Accountability Act — Informed