; (2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) (A) The obligation of the third party to pay is not dependent upon an individual executing an assignment of benefits to the United States, nor is the obligation to pay dependent upon any other submission by the beneficiary to the third party, including any claim or appeal. (B) In any case in which the Secretary makes a claim, appeal, representation, or other filing under the authority of this chapter, any procedural requirement in any third-party plan for the beneficiary of such plan to make the claim, appeal, representation, or other filing is deemed to be satisfied. ; and (3) in subsection (f)— (A) by inserting (1) before No law ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (2) The absence of a participating provider agreement, Veterans Care Agreement, or other contractual arrangement with a third party described in subsection (i)(3)(D) shall not operate to prevent, or reduce the amount of, any such recovery or collection by the United States. For purposes of this section, the Department shall recover or collect as if it were a participating provider.