Skip to main content

Information on wait time and drive time options for receipt of care by veterans

Title VI: Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers · Subtitle A: Improvement of Veterans Community Care Program

Plain-language summaryAI

Veterans must be informed in writing about the current wait times and average travel times for receiving care, including options for in-person and telehealth services both within the Department of Veterans Affairs and through approved non-Department providers. This information can be provided electronically and must be recorded in the veteran's health record. Veterans can choose not to receive this information if they prefer.

AI-generated from this section’s text — a quick orientation, not a substitute for the full text below. Not legal advice.

Section Text · Sec. 607.
Source →PrevNext

(a) In general

To the greatest extent practicable, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall ensure that veterans are informed in writing, for each episode of care provided under the laws administered by the Secretary, of current wait time and average drive time options for such episode of care disaggregated by care provided—

(1)

in person at a facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs;

(2)

via telehealth through a provider of the Department.

(3)

in person through the nearest suitable non-Department facility with which the Department has a provider agreement or other arrangement for non-Department care pursuant to section 1703 of title 38, United States Code; and

(4)

via telehealth through a non-Department provider with which the Department has a provider agreement or other arrangement for non-Department care pursuant to such section with the shortest wait time.

(b) Form of information

Information provided under subsection (a)—

(1)

may be provided electronically; and

(2)

shall be documented in the health record of the veteran.

(c) Opt out

The Secretary shall permit a veteran to opt out of receiving information under subsection (a).