Pilot program on conduct of medical examinations at medical facilities of Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans disability compensation claims under laws administered by Secretary of Veterans Affairs

(a) Pilot program authorized The Under Secretary of Benefits may carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing for the conduct of medical examinations, or obtaining medical opinions, under section 5103A(d) of title 38, United States Code, at medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (b) Locations In carrying out the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall carry out the pilot program at medical facilities of the Department as follows: (1) In fiscal years before fiscal year 2027, medical facilities in not more than one Veterans Integrated Service Network of the Department of Veterans Affairs selected by the Under Secretary for Benefits, in coordination with the Under Secretary for Health, for purposes of the pilot program under this section. (2) In fiscal year 2029, medical facilities in not more than three Veterans Integrated Service Networks of the Department of Veterans Affairs selected by the Under Secretary for Benefits, in coordination with the Under Secretary for Health, for purposes of the pilot program under this section. (3) In fiscal year 2031, medical facilities in not more than six Veterans Integrated Service Networks of the Department of Veterans Affairs selected by the Under Secretary for Benefits, in coordination with the Under Secretary for Health, for purposes of the pilot program under this section. (4) In fiscal year 2033, medical facilities in not more than 10 Veterans Integrated Service Networks of the Department of Veterans Affairs selected by the Under Secretary for Benefits, in consultation with the Under Secretary for Health, for purposes of the pilot program under this section. (5) In fiscal year 2035 and each fiscal year thereafter, medical facilities in through such Veterans Integrated Service Networks of the Department as the Under Secretary for Benefits, in consultation with the Under Secretary for Health, considers appropriate for purposes of the pilot program under this section. (c) Report to Congress (1) In general If the Under Secretary commences conducting a pilot program pursuant to subsection (a) before the date that is two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall, not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit to Congress a report on the findings of the Under Secretary with respect to the pilot program. (2) Contents The report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of the Under Secretary of the effect of the use of the authority provided by subsection (a) on the cost, timeliness, quality, and capacity of the Department to provide medical disability examinations. (d) Source of funds Amounts expended or obligated by the Under Secretary to carry out the pilot program under this section, including for payments for examination travel and incidental expenses under the terms and conditions set forth by section 111 of title 38, United States Code, shall be reimbursed to the accounts available for the general operating expenses of the Veterans Benefits Administration and information technology systems from amounts available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for payment of compensation and pension.