VA Billing Accountability Act

This bill empowers the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to waive certain veteran copayments for medical care and medications when billing delays are caused by Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) errors . For a two-year period, the Secretary may grant a waiver for hospital care, medical services, or medications if a VA error led to notification being sent more than 180 days after the veteran received the care or services. The bill establishes new, temporary billing procedures for the VA, requiring notification of copayment requirements within 180 days for care at VA facilities and 18 months for non-Department facilities. If these notification deadlines are missed, the VA cannot collect the payment unless it offers the veteran information on applying for a waiver or establishing a payment plan. For non-VA care, waivers can also be granted if a delay beyond 18 months was due to an error by the VA or the non-Department facility. To address systemic issues, the Secretary is mandated to review all waiver cases to identify ways to reduce future notification delays. Additionally, within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary must review and improve the VA's copayment billing internal controls and notification procedures. These specific waiver authorities and billing procedures will cease to be effective two years after the Act's enactment.