; and (2) containing such recommendations as the Comptroller General considers appropriate. (c) Pilot program (1) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Center for Innovation for Care and Payment of the Department of Veterans Affairs under section 1703E of title 38, United States Code, shall establish a three-year pilot program in not fewer than five locations to allow veterans enrolled in the system of annual patient enrollment of the Department established and operated under section 1705(a) of such title to access outpatient mental health and substance use services through health care providers specified under section 1703(c) of such title without referral or pre-authorization. (2) Priority In selecting sites for the pilot program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall prioritize sites in the following areas: (A) Areas with varying degrees of urbanization, including urban, rural, and highly rural areas. (B) Areas with high rates of suicide among veterans. (C) Areas with high rates of overdose deaths among veterans. (D) Areas with high rates of calls to the Veterans Crisis Line. (E) Areas with long wait times for mental health and substance use services at facilities of the Department. (F) Areas with outpatient mental health and substance use programs that utilize a value-based care model, to the extent practicable. (3) Elements The Secretary, in implementing the pilot program under paragraph (1), shall ensure the Department has a care coordination system in place that includes— (A) knowledge sharing, including the timely exchange of medical documentation; (B) assistance with transitions of care, including the potential need for inpatient or residential psychiatric services, substance use detoxification services, post-detoxification step-down services, and residential rehabilitation programs; (C) continuous assessment of patient needs and goals