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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is announcing a request for proposals for a new indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract structure that it says will enable multiple national and regional health plans to compete for the Veterans Community Care Program.
WHY IT MATTERS
The 10-year IDIQ contracts will mean more healthcare choice and quality for veterans while the VA collaborates with health plans on VCCP delivery, according to the department.
The VA also noted in a statement earlier this week that about 40% of healthcare services are delivered through community care, but many of the third-party administrative contracts with health plans are expiring in 2026.
The RFP will continue the program but also provide the VA with the data, technology and systems needed to manage veterans' care in real time and ensure they receive high-quality care from Community Care partners, the department said.
"To some, this represents a long overdue modernization of the system that many veterans rely upon, and to others, it signals a harder push to move more care to the community, which competes for resources with the direct VA care system," former VA Secretary David Shulkin said in a social media post.
However, the IDIQ will require health plans to adhere to the same care industry standards that major healthcare systems adhere to and drive innovation, the VA said.
"This will ensure veterans get care that has been shown to directly address their medical conditions and maximize their health and wellness."
Under a new contract structure, VA would have the ability over the life of the IDIQ contracts to issue competitive task orders, contract requirements and deliverables. The VA can also replace health plans to avoid care disruptions, the department said.
"VA has learned a lot about Community Care over the years, and we are putting that knowledge to use," VA Secretary Doug Collins said in a statement.
Proposals for the program are due by March 16.
THE LARGER TREND
VA Community Care launched with the 2019 MISSION Act.
Implementing that legislation is a priority for VA Secretary Doug Collins, as he told the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee during his cabinet appointment hearing in January.
When a veteran needs a service not available at a VA medical facility, the VA pays for veterans to use providers in their local communities, according to the department's website.
When Community Care launched, the VA secretary at the time, Robert Wilkie, noted that the pandemic-era legislative action also expanded telehealth and urgent care for veterans.
These virtual care opportunities were built upon the department's previously established telehealth programs in more than 50 clinical specialties, which date back to 2017. That initiative – Anywhere to Anywhere VA Healthcare – followed bipartisan legislation that enabled interstate telemedicine for VA providers and patients.
VA also currently offers tele-emergency care nationwide 24/7 through VA Health Connect.
ON THE RECORD
"This RFP will result in contracts that dramatically improve our ability to provide quality healthcare while ensuring veterans can choose the care that's best for them," said Secretary Collins.
Andrea Fox is senior editor of Healthcare IT News.
Email: afox@himss.org
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.
