; and (2) making the pilot program or any aspect of the pilot program permanent. 402. Authority for Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Innovation for Care and Payment (a) In general Subchapter I of chapter 17, as amended by section 122, is further amended by inserting after section 1703E, as added by section 122, the following new section: 1703F. Center for Innovation for Care and Payment (a) In general (1) There is established within the Department a Center for Innovation for Care and Payment (in this section referred to as the Center ). (2) The Secretary, acting through the Center, may carry out such pilot programs as appropriate to develop new, innovative approaches to testing payment and service delivery models to reduce expenditures while preserving or enhancing the quality of care furnished by the Department. (3) The Secretary, acting through the Center, shall test payment and service delivery models to determine whether such models improve the access to and quality, timeliness, and patient satisfaction of such care and services, as well as the cost savings associated with such models. (4) (A) The Secretary shall test models where the Secretary determines that there is evidence that the model addresses a defined population for which there are deficits care leading to poor clinical outcomes or potentially avoidable expenditures. (B) The Secretary shall focus on models expected to reduce program costs while preserving or enhancing the quality of care received by individuals receiving benefits under this chapter. (C) The models selected may include those described in section 1115A(b)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1315a(b)(2)(B) ). (5) In selecting models for testing, the Secretary may consider the following additional factors: (A) Whether the model includes a regular process for monitoring and updating patient care plans in a manner that is consistent with the needs and preferences of applicable individuals. (B) Whether the model places the applicable individual, including family members