GAO reviewed the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) new rule on copayments for medications in 2014. It was published in the Federal Register as an interim final rule on December 30, 2013. GAO found that (1) the interim final rule amends the medical regulations concerning the copayment required for certain medications. But for this rulemaking, beginning on January 1, 2014, the copayment amount would increase based on a formula set forth in regulation. The maximum annual copayment amount payable by veterans would also increase. This rulemaking freezes copayments at the current rate for 2014 for veterans in priority categories 2 through 8, and thereafter resumes increasing copayments in accordance with the regulatory formula; and (2) VA complied with the applicable requirements in promulgating the rule.
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