modifications to veteran directed care program of department of veterans affairs

modifications to veteran directed care program of department of veterans affairsSec. 20006. (a) Telephone or Telehealth Renewals.—For the Veteran Directed Care program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (in this section referred to as the “Program”), during a public health emergency, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall—(1) waive the requirement that an area agency on aging process new enrollments and six-month renewals for the Program via an in-person or home visit; and(2) allow new enrollments and sixth-month renewals for the Program to be conducted via telephone or telehealth modality.(b) No Suspension or Disenrollment.—During a public health emergency, the Secretary shall not suspend or dis-enroll a veteran or caregiver of a veteran from the Program unless—(1) requested to do so by the veteran or a representative of the veteran; or(2) a mutual decision is made between the veteran and a health care provider of the veteran to suspend or dis-enroll the veteran or caregiver from the Program.(c) Waiver of Paperwork Requirement.—During a public health emergency, the Secretary may waive the requirement for signed, mailed paperwork to confirm the enrollment or renewal of a veteran in the Program and may allow verbal consent of the veteran via telephone or telehealth modality to suffice for purposes of such enrollment or renewal.(d) Waiver of Other Requirements.—During a public health emergency, the Secretary shall waive—(1) any penalty for late paperwork relating to the Program; and(2) any requirement to stop payments for veterans or caregivers of veterans under the Program if they are out of State for more than 14 days.(e) Area Agency on Aging Defined.—In this section, the term “area agency on aging” has the meaning given that term in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002).