§ 1722A. Copayment for medications
(a)
(1)
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall require a veteran to pay the United States $2 for each 30-day supply of medication furnished such veteran under this chapter on an outpatient basis for the treatment of a non-service-connected disability or condition. If the amount supplied is less than a 30-day supply, the amount of the charge may not be reduced.
(2)
The Secretary may not require a veteran to pay an amount in excess of the cost to the Secretary for medication described in paragraph (1).
(3)
Paragraph (1) does not apply—
(A)
to a veteran with a service-connected disability rated 50 percent or more;
(B)
to a veteran who is a former prisoner of war; or
(C)
to a veteran whose annual income (as determined under section
1503 of this title) does not exceed the maximum annual rate of pension which would be payable to such veteran if such veteran were eligible for pension under section
1521 of this title.
(b)
The Secretary, pursuant to regulations which the Secretary shall prescribe, may—
(1)
increase the copayment amount in effect under subsection (a); and
(2)
establish a maximum monthly and a maximum annual pharmaceutical copayment amount under subsection (a) for veterans who have multiple outpatient prescriptions.
(c)
Amounts collected under this section shall be deposited in the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections Fund.