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Veterans no longer need a second doctor’s sign-off to get treatment outside the VA. The VA announced Monday that it has eliminated the extra review required for referrals to non-VA providers, speeding up access to community care.
The updated process takes effect immediately. Veterans now only need approval from their referring VA doctor if they are seeking care from a private provider in the VA’s approved network. The update comes in response to provisions in the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which became law in December.
“Now, we’re making it even easier for Veterans to get their health care when and where it’s most convenient for them,” VA Secretary Doug Collins said. “We are putting Veterans first at the department, and that means placing a premium on customer service and convenience.”
Under the new law, VA officials are barred from overturning a doctor’s referral for care outside the VA for the next two years. After that, the VA must submit a report to Congress showing how the change has worked.
The 2014 Choice Act and 2019 Mission Act opened the door for Veterans to use private providers when VA wait times were too long or facilities were too far away. However, many Veterans still faced delays due to the extra referral review. Officials say dropping that requirement should help reduce bottlenecks and improve access.
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) shared stories during a hearing in March of Veterans who were denied local treatment because the VA had space available far away. In one case, a Veteran experiencing alcohol withdrawal wanted to go to a nearby center but was told to travel 100 miles instead.
“VA claims there is no wrong door for Veterans, yet we continue to hear about doors locked, doors hidden, and doors that simply do not exist,” she said.
Some lawmakers welcomed the move, including House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost (R-Ill.), who said, “Veterans should always have access to the best care that meets their needs, whether that’s inside or outside VA, and without a paperwork nightmare.”
Others raised concerns. Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) said the VA has no consistent fee schedule for outside treatment and lacks oversight of quality at private residential programs. In one case, she stated, the VA was billed $6,000 a day for one patient’s care.
Currently, about 40% of VA-covered appointments are with private-sector doctors, a number that continues to grow. Some advocates warn that shifting more Veterans to private care could weaken the VA system by lowering support for in-house services.
VA officials said staff training is underway to ensure the referral process aligns with the new law and improves the experience for Veterans seeking care beyond the department’s facilities.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
