GUARD Veterans’ Health Care Act

This plan would make Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D drug plans pay the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) back when the VA gives care or medicine to their enrollees and that care is covered by those plans. This includes inpatient and outpatient visits, prescriptions, medical devices, lab tests, and care in rehab or long‑term settings. It applies whether the care is for a service‑connected issue or not, and the plans can’t deny payment just because of their own extra paperwork rules.

The VA would use existing billing processes to collect these payments, and the money would go into the VA Medical Care Collections Fund to support veterans’ health care. The change starts with Medicare Advantage and Part D plan years on or after January 1, 2026.

• Who is affected: Veterans enrolled in Medicare Advantage or a Medicare Part D plan; Medicare Advantage and Part D plan sponsors; the VA.
• What changes: Plans must reimburse the VA for covered services and drugs provided to their enrollees, without extra plan-imposed hurdles. Funds collected go into the VA’s care fund.
• When it starts: For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.