(Photo: Ivan Samkov)
The VA announced last week that it is expanding Veterans’ access to health care by extending new community care authorizations to one year for 30 standardized types of care. This change allows Veterans referred by the VA for eligible standardized types of community care to receive 12 months of continuous treatment covered by the VA before needing to request reauthorization.
Veterans will have consistent access to essential specialty services, helping them focus on their health without dealing with frequent administrative steps. Community providers will be able to manage care with fewer administrative hurdles and more flexibility. Before the newly announced change, some VA community care specialty referrals were reviewed every 90 to 180 days, which often led to interruptions or delays in care.
“No Veteran should have their health care disrupted by red tape,” VA Secretary Doug Collins said. “This change means better continuity of care, which leads to better health outcomes. It also improves convenience for Veterans and cuts administrative work for VA staff and community care partners.”
The VA now provides one-year community care authorizations for the following standardized types of care:
- Addiction Medicine Outpatient
- Addiction Psychiatry Outpatient
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Endocrinology
- Eye Care Examination
- Family & Couples Psychotherapy Outpatient
- Gastroenterology
- Mental Health Outpatient
- Nephrology
- Neuro-Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Neurology and Otology
- Nutrition Intervention Services
- Oculoplastic
- Oncology and Hematology
- Optometry Routine
- Orthopedic General
- Orthopedic Hand
- Orthopedic Spine
- Otolaryngology or ENT
- Pain Management
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (Physiatry)
- Podiatry
- Podiatry DS
- Pulmonary
- Rheumatology
- Sleep Medicine
- Urogynecology
- Urology
Veterans are encouraged to reach out to their local VA Medical Center Community Care Office with any questions about how these updates may impact their care.
Editor’s Note:
The VA Community Care program is offered nationwide. In California, Veterans living in rural areas and the inland valley, where there are fewer VA medical facilities, benefit the most.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted family connection to the military, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
