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VA Care in the Community

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undefined VA Care in the Community?

The Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) may authorize a non-VA health care facility to provide necessary medical care services when such services are not feasibly available at a VA health care facility, or VA determines that such services can be obtained outside the VA more economically or more appropriately due to geographic inaccessibility.

VA community care must be authorized by VA in advance - unless the medical event is an emergency. Emergency events may be reimbursed on behalf of the Veteran in certain cases. See the Emergency Care Fact Sheet for information.

The Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) may authorize a non-VA health care facility to provide necessary medical care services when such services are not feasibly available at a VA health care facility, or VA determines that such services can be obtained outside the VA more economically or more appropriately due to geographic inaccessibility.

VA community care must be authorized by VA in advance - unless the medical event is an emergency. Emergency events may be reimbursed on behalf of the Veteran in certain cases. See the Emergency Care Fact Sheet for information.

undefined VA Care in the Community?

You must be enrolled in the VA health care system (or qualify based on one of the exceptions in the law). Go to "Basic Medical Benefits for Veterans" to see the program requirements.

Generally, in order to receive VA benefits and services the Veteran/Servicemember's character of discharge or service must be under other than dishonorable conditions (e.g., honorable, under honorable conditions, general). However, individuals receiving undesirable, bad conduct, and other types of dishonorable discharges may qualify for VA benefits depending on a determination made by VA.

undefined VA Care in the Community?

To inquire about authorized hospital care and medical services in non-VA health care facilities, contact your nearest VA health care facility. Visit the directory to locate your nearest VA health care facility.

Find your Local VA Health Care Facility

If you have questions:

To apply for VA benefits and services, view your benefit status, and many more services go to www.va.gov and either logon with your eBenefits sign on or use www.Logon.gov to enroll. VA.gov is a one-stop source for information on Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and services. Veterans, service members and their family members can conduct self-service transactions such as checking compensation and pension claim status information, enrolling in GI Bill, and obtaining copies of civil service preference letters, military records (DD214), and other personal information. For further information visit the VA.gov website.

1-877-222-8387

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