H.R. 5611: Mental Health Care Provider Retention Act of 2025

The Mental Health Care Provider Retention Act of 2025 aims to streamline the transition of certain individuals receiving mental health treatment from the Department of Defense (DoD) to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Below are the key provisions of the bill:

Retention of Mental Health Care Provider

Individuals who are transitioning from treatment provided by the DoD to treatment provided by the VA can choose to continue seeing their current mental health care provider from the DoD during this transition period.

Priority Access

These individuals will receive the same access and priority for medical services at military medical treatment facilities as active members of the Armed Forces, ensuring they can receive timely care.

Reimbursement of Costs

The VA will reimburse the DoD for the services provided by the mental health care provider during the transition, as these services would have otherwise been provided by the VA.

Provider Departure

If the mental health care provider leaves the military facility where the individual is receiving treatment:

• The individual can choose to see another mental health care provider at the same facility.
• Alternatively, they can switch to a mental health care provider from the VA.

Individual Departure

If the individual relocates and can no longer access the military medical treatment facility where they were receiving care, they will begin receiving mental health care from a provider at the VA.

Medical Records Management

The VA is responsible for ensuring that any mental health care provider from the DoD who treats the individual sends their medical records to the VA. This ensures that the individual's care history is maintained in the VA's electronic medical records for continuity of care once they fully transition to the VA.

Definition of Covered Individual

A "covered individual" under this bill is defined as someone diagnosed with a mental health condition who is either:

• Enrolling in the VA's patient enrollment system, or
• Already enrolled in that system and is still transitioning from DoD treatment.

Overall Impact

The bill is designed to provide a smoother transition for individuals moving from DoD to VA mental health services, ensuring they retain consistency in their care and have support during the changeover.

Relevant Companies

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