What does Preamble of GUARD Veterans’ Health Care Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To amend title 38, United States Code, and the Social Security Act to permit recovery from the Department of Veterans Affairs of costs from Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans and to modify the authority for recovery by the United States of reasonable charges for certain care or services furnished to veterans for non-service-connected disabilities, and for other purposes,' aims to amend existing United States Code. The bill proposes to permit the Department of Veterans Affairs to recover costs from Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans. It also intends to modify the United States' authority to recover reasonable charges for care or services provided to veterans for non-service-connected disabilities.

What does SHORT TITLE. of GUARD Veterans’ Health Care Act do?

This bill is formally titled the ``Guarantee Utilization of All Reimbursements for Delivery of Veterans’ Health Care Act'' or the ``GUARD Veterans’ Health Care Act''.

What does COST-RECOVERY FROM MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION of GUARD Veterans’ Health Care Act do?

This section amends Title 38 of the United States Code to establish a cost-recovery mechanism from Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Prescription Drug (PDP) plans. If the Secretary provides healthcare items or services to an individual enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan, the plan is required to reimburse the Secretary. This reimbursement applies regardless of any administrative requirements the plan may impose. The recovery of these amounts will be done through procedures similar to those used under section 1729 of Title 38. The provisions apply to Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026. Reimbursed amounts will be deposited into the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections Fund. The section also amends sections 1814(c), 1835(d), and 1862(a)(3) of the Social Security Act to reference the new cost-recovery section in Title 38.

What does MODIFICATION OF AUTHORITY FOR RECOVERY BY UNITED STATES OF of GUARD Veterans’ Health Care Act do?

This section modifies authority for the United States to recover reasonable charges for care or services furnished to veterans for non-service-connected disabilities. It amends Section 1729 of Title 38, United States Code, impacting subsections (a), (b), (c), (g), (h), (i), and (m). Third parties are required to pay claims within 45 days or provide notice with reasons for refusal, potentially incurring interest. The Secretary must provide additional information requested by third parties within 45 days. Penalties are established for non-compliance, including civil penalties and potential damages. The recovery rights of the United States are not limited to payments to non-Department providers.

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GUARD Veterans’ Health Care Act

Last updated: 12/3/2025 · Introduced: 6/23/2025

Author: Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

TL;DR (AI)

The bill requires Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs for healthcare services provided to enrolled individuals, starting January 1, 2026.
The bill modifies the process for the United States to recover charges for non-service-connected disability care, establishing deadlines for third-party payments and requiring notice of refusal.
Reimbursements collected from Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans will be deposited into the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections Fund.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 2 more.

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