Veterans’ ACCESS Act of 2025

• •Sets primary care eligibility for private care at 30 minutes driving time or 20 days wait time if the VA cannot provide an appointment.
• •Sets specialty care eligibility for private care at 60 minutes driving time or 28 days wait time if the VA cannot provide an appointment.
• •Prohibits the VA from using telehealth availability as a reason to deny a veteran's request for in-person community care.
• •Requires the VA to calculate wait times from the original request date if the VA cancels a previously scheduled appointment.
• •Mandates that the VA document any agreement where a veteran chooses to accept a longer drive or later appointment date.
• •Requires the VA to notify veterans of their eligibility for the Veterans Community Care Program.
• •Requires the VA to consider a veteran's preference for care, continuity of care, and caregiver needs when assigning community care.
• •Mandates notification to veterans if their request for community care is denied.
• •Requires the VA to discuss telehealth options with veterans as part of the care process.
• •Extends the deadline for health care providers to submit claims for payment under the prompt payment standard.
• •Requires a standardized process for determining veteran eligibility for mental health treatment programs.
• •Mandates a review of eligibility access standards every three years starting three years after enactment.
• •Requires the creation of an interactive, online self-service module for veteran care.

This bill establishes federal law for maximum wait times and travel distances for veteran medical appointments, directly impacting how quickly veterans can access care through private providers if the VA cannot meet these standards.

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.