Agency Information Collection Activity: Expanded Access to Non-VA Care Through the MISSION Program: Veterans Community Care Program

AGENCY:

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before September 20, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to Brian McCarthy, Office of Regulatory and Administrative Affairs (10B4), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420 or email to Brian.McCarthy4@va.gov. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0823” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brian McCarthy at (202) 615-9241.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, VHA invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Authority: Public Law 104-13; 44 U.S.C. 3501-3521.

Title: Expanded Access to Non-VA Care through the MISSION Program: Veterans Community Care Program, VA Forms 10-10143, 10-10143a, 10-10143b, 10-10143c and 10-10143e.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0823.

Type of Review: Non-substantive change to a currently approved collection.

Abstract: Section 101 of the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act of 2018 requires VA to implement the Veterans Community Care Program to furnish care in the community to covered Veterans through eligible entities and providers, under circumstances as further prescribed in the MISSION Act. VA currently collects information that will be required to implement the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) under the Veterans Choice Program, through an OMB approved collection 2900-0823. OMB Collection 2900-0823 includes VA Form 10-10143, Election to Receive Authorized Non-VA Care and Selection of Provider for the Veterans Choice Program; VA Form 10-10143a, Health-Care Plan Information for the Veterans Choice Program; VA Form 10-10143b, Submission of Medical Record Information under the Veterans Choice Program; VA Form 10-10143c, Submission of Information on Credentials and Licenses by Eligible Entities and Providers; and VA Form 10-10143e,Secondary Authorization Request for VA Community Care.

VA seeks to update OMB collection 2900-0823 to implement the Veterans Community Care Program by updating the title of VA forms and any associated statutory citations to be consistent with the new program and the MISSION Act, and by updating burden hours to account for estimated increased use of community care under the new program.

This collection of information is required to properly adjudicate and implement the requirements of the MISSION Act.

a. VA Form 10-10143 will collect Veteran information on whether covered Veterans would elect to receive authorized care under the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) if certain conditions are met, as required by 38 U.S.C. 1703(d)(3). This form also will allow a covered Veteran to specify a particular non-VA entity or provider.

b. VA Form 10-10143a will collect other health insurance information from covered Veterans who elect to participate in the VCCP, as required by 38 U.S.C. 1705A. This information also is required by 38 U.S.C. 1703(j), which requires VA to recover or collect reasonable charges for community care that is furnished from a health care plan contract described in 38 U.S.C. 1729.

c. VA Form 10-10143b will collect health records of covered Veterans from non-VA health care entities and providers for care authorized under the VCCP, as required by 38 U.S.C. 1703(a)(2)(A), which requires VA to establish a mechanism to receive medical records from non-VA providers. A copy of all medical and dental records (including but not limited to images, test results, and notes or other records of what care was provided and why) related to a Veteran's care provided under the VCCP must be submitted to VA, including any claims for payment for the furnishing of such care.

d. VA Form 10-10143c will collect information from non-VA entities and providers concerning relevant credentials and licenses as required for such entities or providers to furnish care and services generally. This information is authorized by section 133 of the MISSION Act, which requires VA to establish competency standards for non-VA providers, as well as 38 U.S.C. 1703C(a)(1), which requires VA to establish certain standards of quality for furnishing care and services (including through non-VA providers).

e. VA Form 10-10143e will collect secondary authorization requests from non-VA entities and providers to furnish care and services in addition to or supporting the original authorization for care. This information is required by 38 U.S.C. 1703(a)(3), which establishes that a covered Veteran may only receive care or services under the VCCP upon VA's authorization of such care or services.

VA Form 10-10143

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 610,833 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 10 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Once annually.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,665,000.

VA Form 10-10143a

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 610,833 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 10 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Once annually.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,665,000.

VA Form 10-10143b

Affected Public: Private Sector.

Estimated Annual Burden: 1,039,332 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 5 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Average of 34 times annually.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 366,823.

VA Form 10-10143c

Affected Public: Private Sector.

Estimated Annual Burden: 10,190 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 5 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Once annually.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 122,274.

VA Form 10-10143e

Affected Public: Private Sector.

Estimated Annual Burden: 611,372 hours.

Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: 20 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Average of 5 times annually.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 366,823.