Establishing a veterans recovery pilot program and fund for the reimbursement of expenses related to providing hyperbaric oxygen treatment to eligible veterans

This bill establishes a veterans recovery pilot program, administered by the department of veterans affairs for the reimbursement of expenses related to providing hyperbaric oxygen treatment to eligible veterans.1 establishes definitions applicable to the new Code chapter. The bill includes definitions for commission, department, health care practitioner, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, traumatic brain injury, treatment facility, and veteran. Specifically, the bill defines hyperbaric oxygen treatment as treatment, including diagnostic testing and other related medical treatments, for diabetic foot ulcers, traumatic brain injury, or post-traumatic stress disorder prescribed by a health care practitioner that utilizes a United States food and drug administration-approved hyperbaric chamber or hyperbaric oxygen device. 2 establishes the veterans recovery pilot program, subject to sufficient funds to operate the program, requires the department of veterans affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the program, and includes a reporting requirement for each department concerning the operation of the pilot program.3 creates a veterans recovery fund in the state treasury under the control of the department of veterans affairs. The new Code section provides that moneys in the fund are appropriated to the department of veterans affairs to be expended for expenses incurred in operating the program and for expenses authorized to be reimbursed for hyperbaric oxygen treatment and any related travel and living expenses incurred by the veteran. The new Code section provides that moneys in the fund shall not revert but shall remain available for use until June 30, 2029. Any moneys remaining in the fund as of June 30, 2029, shall be transferred for deposit in the veterans trust fund.4 provides for the process for a treating facility to seek reimbursement from the veterans recovery fund for providing hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The bill provides that a treating facility may submit a proposed treatment plan to the department of veterans affairs and the commission of veterans affairs for their approval. The treatment plan shall include the prescription order for the treatment, information verifying the eligibility of the veteran and the treatment facility to provide the treatment, the estimated costs for providing the treatment and for reimbursing the veteran for any associated travel and living expenses, and any other information required by the department of veterans affairs. The new Code section provides that the treatment plan shall not be approved if sufficient moneys to reimburse the estimated costs are not available in the veterans recovery fund. The new Code section also establishes a process for submitting a modified treatment plan if the estimated costs for providing the treatment are anticipated to exceed the cost estimate in the initial treatment plan.5 provides for requirements relative to providing hyperbaric oxygen treatment and provides for the manner in which treatment-related expenses are to be reimbursed. The Code section provides that a treatment facility shall not be reimbursed for providing treatment unless a treatment plan has been approved. If a treatment facility elects to provide hyperbaric oxygen treatment under the pilot program, the facility shall provide the treatment without charge to a veteran and shall submit regular reports to the department of veterans affairs concerning the efficacy of the treatment and on whether the treatments have been concluded. The new Code section also provides for a process for a treatment facility and a veteran to receive reimbursement for expenses incurred. The new Code sections require the department of veterans affairs to provide written notification to the treatment facility and veteran after treatment has concluded, which notice shall indicate when any additional requests for reimbursement may be made.6 provides that the new Code chapter is repealed July 1, 2029. The bill further directs the department of veterans affairs to submit a notice of intended action to the administrative rules coordinator and the administrative code editor not later than January 1, 2024, for the adoption of rules necessary to implement and administer the new Code chapter.