VA issues proposed rule for urgent community care

The Department of Veterans Affairs today published a proposed rule implementing urgent care provisions of the AHA-supported MISSION Act of 2018, which requires the agency to establish a new Veterans Community Care Program by this June. The rule would grant eligible veterans access to care from qualifying non-VA entities or providers without prior approval from VA for services provided at urgent care facilities and walk-in retail health clinics as designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The rule also would establish the copayment obligations for veterans. The department will accept comments on the proposed rule through March 4.