| Abstract: | This document amends 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 amended to establish provisions consistent with this mandate. Starting October 1, 1998, most veterans were required to be enrolled in the VA healthcare system as a condition of receiving VA hospital and outpatient care. Veterans will be allowed to apply to be enrolled at any time. They will be eligible to be enrolled based on funding availability and their priority status. In accordance with statutory provisions, the final rule also states that some categories of veterans are eligible for VA hospital and outpatient care even if not enrolled. This document further establishes a "medical benefits package" setting forth, with certain exceptions, the hospital and outpatient care that will be provided to enrolled veterans and certain other veterans. Moreover, this document announces that VA will enroll all 7 priority categories of veterans for the period October 1, 1999 through September 30, 2000, unless it is necessary to change this determination by a subsequent rulemaking document. |
