38 USC § 8159 - Authority to pay for services authorized but not subject to an agreement

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t38/s8159"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "38 USC § 8159 - Authority to pay for services authorized but not subject to an agreement"
title_number: 38
title_name: "VETERANS’ BENEFITS"
section_number: "8159"
section_name: "Authority to pay for services authorized but not subject to an agreement"
chapter_number: 81
chapter_name: "ACQUISITION AND OPERATION OF HOSPITAL AND DOMICILIARY FACILITIES; PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY; ENHANCED-USE LEASES OF REAL PROPERTY"
subchapter_number: "IV"
subchapter_name: "SHARING OF MEDICAL FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT, AND INFORMATION"
part_number: "VI"
part_name: "ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 115–182, title I, § 112(a), June 6, 2018, 132 Stat. 1421.)"
---


# § 8159. Authority to pay for services authorized but not subject to an agreement

**(a)** **In General.—** If, in the course of furnishing hospital care, a medical service, or an extended care service authorized by the Secretary and pursuant to a contract, agreement, or other arrangement with the Secretary, a provider who is not a party to the contract, agreement, or other arrangement furnishes hospital care, a medical service, or an extended care service that the Secretary considers necessary, the Secretary may compensate the provider for the cost of such care or service.

**(b)** **New Contracts and Agreements.—** The Secretary shall take reasonable efforts to enter into a contract, agreement, or other arrangement with a provider described in subsection (a) to ensure that future care and services authorized by the Secretary and furnished by the provider are subject to such a contract, agreement, or other arrangement.

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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 115–182, title I, § 112(a), June 6, 2018, 132 Stat. 1421.)