text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Enhanced Dental Care for Veterans 
  Act of 2013''.
  
  SEC. 2. RESTORATIVE DENTAL SERVICES FOR VETERANS.
  
      Section 1710(c) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
              (1) in the second sentence--
                      (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as 
                  clauses (i) and (ii), respectively; and
                      (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as 
                  subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively;
              (2) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(c)'';
              (3) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the 
          following:
      ``(2) The Secretary''; and
              (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
      ``(3) In addition to the dental services, treatment, and appliances 
  authorized to be furnished by paragraph (2), the Secretary may furnish 
  dental services and treatment, and dental appliances, needed to restore 
  functioning in a veteran that is lost as a result of any services or 
  treatment furnished under this subsection.''.
  
  SEC. 3. PILOT PROGRAM ON EXPANSION OF FURNISHING OF DENTAL CARE TO ALL 
                ENROLLED VETERANS.
  
      (a) Pilot Program Required.--Commencing not later than 180 days 
  after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
  Affairs shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and 
  advisability of furnishing dental care to veterans enrolled in the 
  system of patient enrollment under section 1705 of title 38, United 
  States Code, who are not eligible for dental services and treatment, 
  and related dental appliances, under current authorities.
      (b) Duration of Pilot Program.--The pilot program shall be carried 
  out during the three-year period beginning on the date of the 
  commencement of the pilot program.
      (c) Locations.--
              (1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot 
          program at not fewer than 16 locations as follows:
                      (A) Four Department of Veterans Affairs medical 
                  centers with an established dental clinic.
                      (B) Four Department medical centers with a current 
                  contract for the furnishing of dental care.
                      (C) Four Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) 
                  with space available for the furnishing of services and 
                  treatment under the pilot program.
                      (D) Four facilities selected from among Federally 
                  Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Indian Health 
                  Service facilities with established dental clinics, of 
                  which--
                              (i) at least one facility shall be such an 
                          Indian Health Service facility; and
                              (ii) any Indian Health Service facility so 
                          selected shall be selected in consultation with 
                          the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
              (2) Considerations.--In selecting locations for the pilot 
          program, the Secretary shall consider the feasibility and 
          advisability of selecting locations in each of the following:
                      (A) Rural areas.
                      (B) Areas that are not in close proximity to an 
                  active duty military installation.
                      (C) Areas representing different geographic 
                  locations, such as census tracts established by the 
                  Bureau of Census.
      (d) Scope of Services.--The dental services and treatment furnished 
  to veterans under the pilot program shall be consistent with the dental 
  services and treatment furnished by the Secretary to veterans with 
  service-connected disabilities rated 100 percent disabling under the 
  laws administered by the Secretary.
      (e) Voluntary Participation.--The participation of a veteran in the 
  pilot program shall be at the election of the veteran.
      (f) Limitation on Amount of Services.--
              (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), the 
          total amount the Secretary may expend furnishing dental 
          services and treatment to any veteran participating in the 
          pilot program during any one-year period may not exceed such 
          amount as the Secretary determines appropriate. The amount so 
          determined may not be less than $1,000.
              (2) Consultation.--The Secretary shall make the 
          determination under paragraph (1)--
                      (A) in consultation with the Director of the Indian 
                  Health Service; and
                      (B) in consultation with the Director of the 
                  Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services if one or 
                  more Federally Qualified Health Centers is selected as 
                  a location for the pilot program under subsection 
                  (c)(1)(D).
              (3) Services in excess of limitation amount.--The total 
          amount expended by the Secretary in furnishing dental services 
          and treatment to a particular veteran participating in the 
          pilot program during a one-year period may exceed the amount 
          determined under paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines, 
          before furnishing such services and treatment, based on an 
          examination of the veteran by a dentist participating in the 
          pilot program that the furnishing of such services and 
          treatment is necessary. Any determination under this paragraph 
          shall be made on a case-by-case basis.
      (g) Copayments.--The Secretary may collect copayments for dental 
  services and treatment furnished under the pilot program in accordance 
  with authorities on the collection of copayments for medical care of 
  veterans under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code.
      (h) Program Administration.--
              (1) Notice to covered veterans on pilot program.--In 
          carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary shall inform all 
          veterans eligible to participate in the pilot program of the 
          services and treatment available under the pilot program.
              (2) Contracts.--In carrying out the pilot program, the 
          Secretary may enter into contracts with appropriate entities 
          for the provision of dental services and treatment under the 
          pilot program. Each such contract shall specify performance 
          standards and metrics and processes for ensuring compliance of 
          the contractor concerned with such performance standards.
      (i) Reports.--
              (1) Preliminary reports.--
                      (A) In general.--Not later than each of one year 
                  and three years after the date of the commencement of 
                  the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to the 
                  Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the 
                  Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
                  Representatives a report on the pilot program.
                      (B) Contents.--Each report under subparagraph (A) 
                  shall include the following:
                              (i) A description of the implementation and 
                          operation of the pilot program.
                              (ii) The number of veterans receiving 
                          services and treatment under the pilot program, 
                          and a description of the dental services and 
                          treatment furnished to such veterans.
                              (iii) An analysis of the costs and benefits 
                          of the pilot program, including a comparison of 
                          costs and benefits by location type.
                              (iv) The current findings and conclusions 
                          of the Secretary with respect to the pilot 
                          program.
                              (v) Such recommendations for the 
                          continuation or expansion of the pilot program 
                          as the Secretary considers appropriate.
              (2) Final report.--
                      (A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
                  completion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall 
                  submit to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
                  Senate and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the 
                  House of Representatives a report on the pilot program.
                      (B) Contents.--The report under subparagraph (A) 
                  shall include the following:
                              (i) The findings and conclusions of the 
                          Secretary with respect to the pilot program.
                              (ii) Such recommendations for the 
                          continuation or expansion of the pilot program 
                          as the Secretary considers appropriate.
  
  SEC. 4. PROGRAM ON EDUCATION TO PROMOTE DENTAL HEALTH IN VETERANS.
  
      (a) Program Required.--
              (1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
          carry out a program of education to promote dental health for 
          veterans who are enrolled in the system of patient enrollment 
          of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1705 of 
          title 38, United States Code.
              (2) Construction.--Nothing in the program shall be deemed 
          to alter or revise the eligibility of any veteran for dental 
          care under the laws administered by the Secretary.
      (b) Elements.--The program required by subsection (a) shall provide 
  education for veterans on the following:
              (1) The association between dental health and overall 
          health and well-being.
              (2) Proper techniques for dental care.
              (3) Signs and symptoms of commonly occurring dental issues, 
          including caries.
              (4) Treatment options for commonly occurring dental issues.
              (5) Options for obtaining access to dental care, including 
          information on eligibility for dental care through the 
          Department and on purchasing private dental insurance.
              (6) Options for obtaining low or no-cost dental care, 
          including through dental schools and Federally Qualified Health 
          Centers.
              (7) Such other matters relating to dental health as the 
          Secretary considers appropriate.
      (c) Delivery of Educational Materials.--
              (1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide educational 
          materials to veterans under the program required by subsection 
          (a) through a variety of mechanisms, including the following:
                      (A) The availability and distribution of print 
                  materials at Department facilities, including medical 
                  centers, clinics, Vet Centers, and readjustment 
                  counseling centers.
                      (B) The availability and distribution of materials 
                  over the Internet, including through webinars and My 
                  HealtheVet.
                      (C) Presentations of information, including both 
                  small group and large group presentations.
              (2) Selection of mechanisms.--In selecting mechanisms for 
          purposes of this subsection, the Secretary shall select 
          mechanisms designed to maximize the number of veterans who 
          receive education under the program.
  
  SEC. 5. INFORMATION ON DENTAL SERVICES FOR INCLUSION IN ELECTRONIC 
                MEDICAL RECORDS UNDER DENTAL INSURANCE PILOT PROGRAM.
  
      (a) In General.--Commencing not later than 180 days after the date 
  of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
  expand the dental insurance pilot program established by section 17.169 
  of title 38, Code of Federal Regulations, to establish a mechanism by 
  which private sector dental care providers may forward to the 
  Department of Veterans Affairs information on dental care furnished to 
  individuals under the pilot program for inclusion in the electronic 
  medical records of the Department with respect to such individuals.
      (b) Construction With Current Pilot Program Requirements.--
              (1) In general.--Nothing in this section shall be construed 
          to revise eligibility for participation in, or the locations 
          of, the pilot program referred to in subsection (a).
              (2) Duration.--The Secretary may continue the pilot program 
          for two years in addition to the duration otherwise provided 
          for the pilot program in section 17.169 of title 38, Code of 
          Federal Regulations, if the Secretary determines that the 
          continuation is needed to assess the mechanism required by 
          subsection (a).
              (3) Voluntary participation in mechanism.--The 
          participation in the mechanism required by subsection (a) of an 
          individual otherwise participating in the pilot program shall 
          be at the election of the individual.
      (c) Inclusion of Information on Mechanism in Reports.--Each report 
  to Congress on the pilot program after the date of the commencement of 
  the mechanism required by subsection (a) shall include information on 
  the mechanism, including a current assessment of the feasibility and 
  advisability of using the mechanism to include information on dental 
  care furnished to individuals in the electronic medical records of the 
  Department with respect to such individuals.
target: Enhanced Dental Care for Veterans Act of 2013 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish additional dental services and treatment, and dental appliances, needed to restore functioning in a veteran that is lost due to VA services or treatment furnished to such veteran.  Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out a three-year pilot program for furnishing dental care to veterans not otherwise eligible for dental services and treatment under current VA programs, (2) carry out a program of education to promote dental health for veterans, and (3) enable private sector dental care providers to submit information on dental care provided to veterans under the pilot program for inclusion in VA electronic medical records. 
feat_title: Enhanced Dental Care for Veterans Act of 2013