Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act

This bill mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to implement a pilot program aimed at improving healthcare for veterans enrolled in both the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system and the Medicare program. The program's core objectives are to enhance access to services, improve health outcomes and quality of care, and reduce costs for these covered veterans . It also seeks to eliminate gaps in care and prevent duplication of services and expenses. The pilot program will be administered through the VA's Center for Innovation for Care and Payment and conducted in three to five Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs) that have a high number of covered veterans, including those in rural or medically underserved areas. A key feature is the assignment of a case manager to each participating veteran, responsible for developing an individualized needs assessment and a comprehensive care coordination plan. These case managers will assist veterans in navigating and accessing services from both the VA and Medicare systems. For its design, the Secretary is directed to utilize existing models, including value-based care, and to the greatest extent practicable, contract with private sector entities for assistance in designing, implementing, and managing care coordination. The pilot program is set to run for a three-year period , with the Secretary required to track various metrics such as participant numbers, reliance on VA versus Medicare services, quality, cost, access, and patient satisfaction. Regular reports on the program's development, implementation, and results, including a final recommendation on its future, must be submitted to Congress.