GUARD Veterans’ Health Care Act

The GUARD Veterans' Health Care Act (S 2145) requires Medicare Advantage plans and prescription drug plans to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for health care services provided to veterans enrolled in those plans. The bill establishes a clear reimbursement process with a 45-day payment timeline, interest for late payments, and penalties for noncompliance, including triple damages for willful failures to pay. It also modifies VA's authority to recover costs for care provided to veterans with non-service-connected disabilities from third parties like insurance companies. These provisions apply to Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.