Title 38, Veterans' BenefitsRelease 119-110
§8159 Authority to Pay for Services Authorized but Not Subject to an Agreement
Title 38 › PART VI — ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY › CHAPTER 81 — ACQUISITION AND OPERATION OF HOSPITAL AND DOMICILIARY FACILITIES; PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY; ENHANCED-USE LEASES OF REAL PROPERTY › SUBCHAPTER IV — SHARING OF MEDICAL FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, AND INFORMATION › § 8159
Summary
The Secretary can pay a provider who is not part of an existing agreement when that provider gives hospital, medical, or extended care the Secretary finds necessary. The Secretary must try to make a contract with that provider for future services.
Full Legal Text
Title 38, §8159
Veterans' Benefits, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In General.—
If, in the course of furnishing hospital care, a medical service, or an extended care service authorized by the Secretary and pursuant to a contract, agreement, or other arrangement with the Secretary, a provider who is not a party to the contract, agreement, or other arrangement furnishes hospital care, a medical service, or an extended care service that the Secretary considers necessary, the Secretary may compensate the provider for the cost of such care or service.
(b)New Contracts and Agreements.—
The Secretary shall take reasonable efforts to enter into a contract, agreement, or other arrangement with a provider described in subsection (a) to ensure that future care and services authorized by the Secretary and furnished by the provider are subject to such a contract, agreement, or other arrangement.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
38 U.S.C. § 8159
Title 38, Veterans' Benefits
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110