PLAN REGARDING INFORMING VETERANS OF EXPECTED WAIT TIMES FOR APPOINTMENTS FOR CARE.

SEC. 122. PLAN REGARDING INFORMING VETERANS OF EXPECTED WAIT TIMES FOR APPOINTMENTS FOR CARE.(a) In General.—Not later than October 1, 2023, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall develop a plan to ensure that veterans eligible for care or services pursuant to section 1703(d)(1) of title 38, United States Code, including veterans making their own 136 STAT. 5416 appointments using advanced technology, are informed of the expected number of days between the date on which the veteran requested care until—(1) the date on which the veteran will be able to receive care through a non-Department of Veterans Affairs provider under such section; (2) the date on which the veteran will be able to receive care through a provider of the Department; (3) the date on which—(A) the Department will schedule an appointment for care through a non-Department provider under such section; or (B) for veterans making their own appointments using advanced technology, the veteran would be able to schedule an appointment for care through a provider of the Department or through a non-Department provider under such section; (4) the date on which the Department will schedule an appointment for care through a provider of the Department. (b) Implementation.—The Secretary shall implement the plan required under subsection (a) not later than three years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) Matters To Be Included.—The Secretary shall include in the plan required under subsection (a) a list of the information technology systems, contracting mechanisms, staff, legislative authorities, pilot programs, and other components that the Secretary determines necessary to implement the plan within the three-year implementation deadline under subsection (b), as well as their associated milestones and resource requirements. (d) Updates.—Not less frequently than quarterly, the Secretary shall brief the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and submit to those committees a report in writing regarding the status of the implementation of the plan required under subsection (a), to include an assessment of the progress of the Secretary in meeting the three-year implementation deadline under subsection (b).