| Abstract: | This document proposes to amend VA's medical regulations. The Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 mandates that VA implement a national enrollment system to manage the delivery of healthcare services. Accordingly, the medical regulations are proposed to be amended to establish provisions consistent with this mandate. Starting October 1, 1998, most veterans must be enrolled in the VA healthcare system as a condition of receiving VA hospital and outpatient care. Veterans would be allowed to apply to be enrolled at any time. They would be eligible to be enrolled based on funding availability and their priority status. In accordance with statutory provisions, the proposed rule also states that some categories of veterans would be eligible for VA hospital and outpatient care even if not enrolled. This document further proposes to establish a "medical benefits package" setting forth, with certain exceptions, the hospital and outpatient care that would be provided to enrolled veterans and certain other veterans. |
