Veterans Community Care Scheduling Improvement Act

This legislation aims to significantly enhance the process by which veterans access healthcare outside of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. It mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish an online program within one year, allowing VA employees to schedule appointments for veterans directly with participating non-Department health care providers under the Veterans Community Care Program. This new system is intended to replace previous scheduling methods, streamlining the coordination of care. The core of the program is an information technology system that will enable VA schedulers to view, search, and sort available appointments by type of care, location, and date. Schedulers will also be able to directly provide referral and authorization documents to non-Department providers, improving efficiency and reducing administrative burdens. The bill requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations within 90 days, directing VA medical centers to use this new system whenever practicable. Furthermore, the Act mandates an outreach campaign within 90 days to encourage non-Department providers to participate in the program, including a publicly accessible website detailing participation. The Secretary must also submit regular reports to Congress, including details on program functions, regulations, outreach plans, and operational performance every six months for five years after the initial 18 months. The program is set to terminate seven years after its enactment, allowing for a period of evaluation and implementation.