Health and Benefits

Veterans Community Care Program

What is the Veterans Community Care program?

Replacing the Veterans’ Choice Program, the Veterans Community Care program allows eligible veterans toget medical aid through in-network providers that are not a part of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). This program was created under the VA Mission Act of 2018.

Who is eligible for the Veterans’ Community Care program?

A referral to the Veterans Community Care (VCC) program can only be provided by the VAMC. The VAMC will decide if the person is eligible by looking at the following:

1
It is in the best interest of the veteran to seek assistance in the VCC Network (VCCN),
2
The veteran does not live near a VAMC,
3
The veteran does not live near a VAMC,
4
The veteran cannot receive care within a reasonable period of time (standard appointment times are within 20-28 days) or within a reasonable drive time (primary care – 30 minutes, specialists – 60 minutes),
5
After a VA evaluation, it is found that the veteran is not receiving the best care possible at the VAMC.

Do I get to select my doctor in the Veterans Community Care Network?

If the veteran has been approved to see a doctor in the VCCN, the TriWest Healthcare Alliance will review the veteran’s medical records and select a doctor’s office that best fits their needs.

VA Health Clinics

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Are urgent care visits covered by my military benefits?

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Under the VCC, veterans can visit urgent care or walk-in clinics without prior approval when:
  • They are eligible for urgent care benefits,
  • The doctor is a part of the VCCN, and
  • The non-emergency medical care is an approved service under VCC.
    • Examples: minor injuries, skin rashes, cold/flu symptoms, painful urination, ear infection, broken bone that requires a cast or splint.
If there are follow up services needed after an urgent care visit, those services must take place at the VAMC, unless approved by the VA.

Can I see a dentist using the Veterans Community Care Network?

No. The Veterans’ Community Care program only covers the following medical services:
  • Primary care
  • Inpatient specialist
  • Outpatient specialist
  • Behavioral health
  • Newborn care for female veterans (limited services)
The following are not covered services:
  • Dental
  • Chronic dialysis treatments
  • Home health aides
  • Nursing home care
  • Long-term acute care hospitals (LTAC)
  • Pension and compensation exams

What can I do if I lost my Veteran Health Identification Card?

If your VHIC card was lost or stolen, you can either:
  • Visit the closest VA medical facility and request a new one, or
  • Call 1-877-222-8387

Am I able to go to a non-VA pharmacy to pick up my prescriptions?

Unless the VA is unable to fill the prescription right away, the veteran will still need to pick up their medication at a VA pharmacy.
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If the VA is unable to fill a prescription within 14 days, the veteran may request that they have the prescription filled at a non-VA pharmacy for those 14 days. The veteran would have to pay the out-of-pocket cost and submit for a reimbursement with the VA. To be reimbursed the veteran will have to provide a copy of the prescription and receipt of purchase.

Can I be grandfathered into the Veterans’ Choice Program?

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To be grandfathered into the Veterans’ Choice Program, the veteran must meet the following requirements:
  • Prior to June 6, 2018, the veteran lived at least 40 miles away from a VAMC or VA clinic,
  • The veteran still lives at this home, and
  • The veteran lives in one of these states – Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, or Wyoming.
Approval would have to be granted by the VA prior to seeing a private care provider.

This website has been prepared for general information purposes only. The information on this website is not legal advice. Legal advice is dependent upon the specific circumstances of each situation. Also, the law may vary from state-to-state or county-to-county, so that some information in this website may not be correct for your situation. Finally, the information contained on this website is not guaranteed to be up to date. Therefore, the information contained in this website cannot replace the advice of competent legal counsel licensed in your jurisdiction.

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