Federal Regulations Significant to Veterans [September 2007]

• Reasonable Charges for Inpatient DRG (Diagnosis Related Groups) and SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility) Medical Services; 2007 Fiscal Year Update - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 28, 2007, relative to the Department's medical regulations concerning ``reasonable charges'' for medical care or services provided or furnished by VA to a veteran:
  • for a nonservice-connected disability for which the veteran is entitled to care (or the payment of expenses of care) under a health plan contract;
  • for a nonservice-connected disability incurred incident to the veteran's employment and covered under a worker's compensation law or plan that provides reimbursement or indemnification for such care and services; or
  • for a nonservice-connected disability incurred as a result of a motor vehicle accident in a State that requires automobile accident reparations insurance.
  Data for calculating actual charge amounts at individual VA facilities based on these methodologies will either be published in a notice in the Federal Register or will be posted on the Internet site of the Veterans Health Administration Chief Business Office, currently at http://www.va.gov/cbo; fax: (202) 254-0473.
  Effective Date: October 1, 2007.
  Contact: Romona Greene, Chief Business Office (168), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420.

• Improved Pension - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register on September 26, 2007, to reorganize and rewrite in plain language its Improved Pension regulations. These revisions are proposed as part of VA's rewrite and reorganization of all of its compensation and pension rules in a logical, claimant-focused, and user-friendly format. The intended effect of the proposed revisions is to assist claimants, beneficiaries, and VA personnel in locating and understanding these Improved Pension regulations.
  Comments Deadline: November 26, 2007.
  Address: Director, Regulations Management (00REG1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Room 1068, Washington, DC 20420; or fax comments to (202) 273-9289; or e-mail comments to VARegulations@mail.va.gov; web site: http://www.Regulations.gov. Comments should indicate that they are submitted in response to ``RIN 2900-AM04--Improved Pension.''
  Contact: William Russo, Chief, Regulation Rewrite Project (00REG2), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-9515.

• Headstone and Marker Application Process - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published a final rule in the Federal Register on September 19, 2007, to amend its regulations applicable to Government-furnished headstones or markers for placement in a national, State veterans, or private cemetery. The final rule specifies that:
  • a veteran's spouse or surviving spouse, whose remains are unavailable for burial, and who died after November 11, 1998, is eligible for a memorial headstone or marker for placement in a national or State veterans cemetery.
  • a veteran's dependent child, whose remains are unavailable for burial, and who died after December 22, 2006, is eligible for a memorial headstone or marker for placement in a national or State veterans cemetery.
  • Lastly, this final rule extends for 1 year the authority to provide a Government-furnished headstone or marker for already marked graves of eligible veterans whose deaths occurred on or after September 11, 2001, for placement in private cemeteries.
  This final rule is necessary to incorporate statutory amendments into VA regulations.
  Effective Date: September 19, 2007.
  Contact: Deanna Wilson, Chief, Legislative and Regulatory Division, National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5306.

• Genomic Medicine Program Advisory Committee; Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 12, 2007, that the Genomic Medicine Program Advisory Committee will meet on October 15, 2007 in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive program updates and updates from the workgroups on Ethics and Colon Cancer testing, and will be asked to provide insight into optimal ways for VA to incorporate genomic information into its health care program while applying appropriate ethical oversight and protecting the privacy of veterans.
  Contact: Dr. Sumitra Muralidhar ; e-mail: sumitra.muralidhar@va.gov.

• Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials, Notice of Meeting - The Department of Veterans Affairs published a notice in the Federal Register on September 12, 2007, that the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials scheduled a meeting on October 31 and November 1, 2007, in Washington, DC. The Committee will receive updates on National Cemetery Administration issues, tour Quantico National Cemetery, and then reconvene for a business session in the afternoon, which will include discussions of Committee recommendations, future meeting sites, and potential agenda topics.
  Contact: Michael Nacincik, Designated Federal Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420; telephone: (202) 273-5221; e-mail: michael.n@va.gov.

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