Reimbursement for emergency treatment

In any case in which reimbursement is authorized under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary, in the Secretary’s discretion, may, in lieu of reimbursing the veteran, make payment of the reasonable value of the furnished emergency treatment directly— A veteran is an active Department health-care participant if— A veteran is personally liable for emergency treatment furnished the veteran in a non-Department facility if the veteran— The Secretary, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, shall— No veteran described in subsection (b) may be held liable for payment for emergency treatment described in such subsection if— such claim was submitted after the deadline established by such subsection due to— For purposes of this section: The term “emergency treatment” means medical care or services furnished, in the judgment of the Secretary— until— such time as a Department facility or other Federal facility accepts such transfer if— The term “health-plan contract” includes any of the following: The term “third party” means any of the following: