VA provides healthcare from community providers outside of the VA, on behalf of, and paid for by the VA, when the VA cannot provide the care needed. Community care is available to veterans based on certain conditions and eligibility requirements, and in consideration of a veteran’s specific needs and circumstances, and must be first authorized by VA before a veteran can receive care from a community provider.
Replacement to the Veterans Choice Program
In order to comply with the MISSION Act of 2018, the VA on June 6, 2019 sunset its Veterans Choice Program, a program that allowed veterans who received care at the VA to see non-VA community-based providers based upon certain eligibility requirements. Community providers may continue providing services for VA-affiliated veterans by participating in a contracted network administered by contracted third-party administrators. Community providers may also contract directly with the VA to participate.
Community Care Network
The VA Community Care Network (CCN) is VA’s direct link with community providers in the Community Care Program to ensure Veterans receive timely, high-quality care. CCN uses industry-standard approaches and guidelines to administer, promptly pay for services and manage the network to its full potential.
- Streamlined eligibility criteria– There are six criteria eligible requirements for the VCC program.
- Single community care program– Having a single community care program makes it less complicated for Veterans to find care.
- Improvement of customer service– Total revamp of the internal process, with improved education and communications resources for Veterans, Veterans Service Organizations (VSO) partners, and VA employees involved in community care operations to handle claims and payment.
- New urgent care benefit– Veterans now have access to immediate care at urgent care clinics and walk-in providers within the VA network, without prior authorization from the VA. It’s just one of the streamline improvements VCC offers.
Find a VA location or in-network community care provider. For same-day care for minor illnesses or injuries, select Urgent care for facility type.
Learn more about the Veterans Community Care Program.
