The Veteran’s Community Care Program (VCC or VCCP) is a program under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established under the VA MISSION Act of 2018 to enhance access to timely and quality care. It is designed to give eligible veterans access to community-based care providers outside the VA’s healthcare system when it’s not feasible or practical to get care directly from a VA facility.
VCC replaced the Veteran’s Choice Program (VCP) and introduced new standards that increased the number of veterans eligible for community care. Veterans that previously did not qualify for VCP may now qualify for VCC. VCC additionally can be used with the Veteran’s Aid and Attendance Program (A&A). Harmony at Home Senior Care is a VA certified provider and member of the Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (CCN).
Services Available through VCC
Community care covers a large range of services for eligible veterans. Including:
- Primary care
- Specialty care
- Mental health services
- Urgent care
- Home Health and Non-Medical Home Care
- Emergency care in specific circumstances
For the full list of services covered by the VCC and more information, visit the Veteran’s Community Care Network page.
Eligibility Criteria
Veterans may qualify for community care if they meet any of the following conditions:
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Distance from a VA facility:
- The veteran lives in a state without a full-service VA medical facility.
- The veteran lives more than 40 miles (or faces significant travel burdens) from the nearest VA facility
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Access Standards:
- VA cannot provide care within the designated access standards (e.g., 20 days for primary care, mental health, and non-institutional extended care services or 28 days for specialty care).
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VA Services Unavailable:
- The required service is not offered at the nearest VA facility.
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Poor Service Coordination:
- The veteran’s provider determines that community care is in their best medical interest.
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Grandfathered Choice:
- The veteran previously qualified for community care with the Veterans Choice Program under certain conditions.
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Quality Standards:
- A VA facility is unable to provide care that meets specific quality standards.
How the Program Works
To access community care, eligible veterans must be first authorized by the VA. This can typically be done through a referral from their VA provider or a VA care team. Care is delivered through a network of VA-approved community providers, such as Harmony at Home Senior Care.
The VA continues to oversee the veteran’s care and coordinates with community providers to ensure the care aligns with the veteran’s overall treatment plan. Veterans generally do not need to pay out-of-pocket costs beyond standard VA copayments (if applicable). The VA covers the cost directly with the community providers.
Have more questions about the Veteran’s Community Care Program? Harmony at Home Senior Care provides in-home care services to several veterans across North Texas using VCC. If you are a veteran or aiding a veteran family member seeking care, we’d be happy to assist you to make sure you are receiving the benefits you or your loved one deserve. Give us a call at 972-789-4187 to get started.
