United States military veterans would be protected from incorrect billing from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) under bipartisan legislation recently proposed by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC).
“This important legislation ensures that veterans receive affordable, quality health care by waiving late co-payment fees for medications and other healthcare services,” Sen. Tillis said. “I am proud to co-sponsor this legislation on behalf of the more than 600,000 veterans that call North Carolina home.”
Sen. Tillis on Nov. 9 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the VA Billing Accountability Act, S. 3282, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and fellow cosponsor U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND).
If enacted, S. 3282 would give the VA the authority to waive veterans’ copayment requirements for medication, care, or certain services if the copayment notification was received more than 180 days after care or services, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
The measure also would require the VA to notify the veteran of copayment requirements no later than 180 days from when the veteran received care, the summary says, and require the VA to review and improve its co-payment billing procedures.
S. 3282 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee.