Sec. 101. Assignment of veterans to primary care providers

294 words·~1 min read·/bill/115/hr/4242/rh/section-101

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Section 1706 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: Except as provided in section 1703A of this title, in furnishing primary care under this chapter, the Secretary shall assign each eligible veteran to— a patient-aligned care team of the Department; or a dedicated primary care provider of the Department as a part of any other model of providing consistent primary care determined appropriate by the Secretary. Each patient-aligned care team of the Department shall consist of a team of health care professionals of the Department who— provide to each eligible veteran comprehensive primary care in partnership with the veteran; and manage and coordinate comprehensive hospital care and medical services consistent with the goals of care agreed upon by the veteran and team.

The Secretary shall ensure that an eligible veteran is not simultaneously assigned to more than one patient-aligned care team or dedicated primary care provider under this subsection at a single location, including by establishing procedures in the event a primary care provider retires or is otherwise no longer able to treat the veteran. In the case of an eligible veteran who resides in more than one location, the Secretary may assign such veteran to a patient-aligned care team or dedicated primary care provider at each such location.

The term eligible veteran means a veteran who— is enrolled in the patient enrollment system of the Department established and operated under section 1705(a) of this title; and has— been furnished hospital care or medical services at or through a Department facility on at least one occasion during the two-year period preceding the date of the determination of eligibility; or requested a first-time appointment for hospital care or medical services at a Department facility. .