VA proposes access standards for new community care program

Jan 30, 2019 - 03:13 PM
veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced its proposed access standards for the new Veterans Community Care Program to begin in June under the AHA-supported MISSION Act of 2018. VA said the access standards, to be published in the Federal Register, will be based on average drive time and appointment wait times. Eligible veterans who cannot access care within those standards would be able to choose between eligible community providers and care at a VA medical facility.

Specifically, the agency proposes:

  • a 30-minute average drive time standard for primary care, mental health and non-institutional extended care services;
  • a 60-minute average drive time standard for specialty care; and 
  • appointment wait-time standards of 20 days for primary care, mental health care and non-institutional extended care services; and 28 days for specialty care from the date of request with certain exceptions.

“Strict and confusing qualification criteria like driving distances and proximity to VA facilities that don’t offer needed services will be replaced by eligibility guidelines based on what matters most: the convenience of our veteran customers,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. 

Related News Articles

Headline
CMS finalizes GLOBE drug pricing model
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Sept. 30 finalized its Global Benchmark for Efficient Drug Pricing Model, also known as the GLOBE Model. The…
Headline
CMS to remove Marketplace coverage for more than 760,000 as part of anti-fraud efforts
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will cancel approximately 315,000 enrollments impacting more than 760,000 individuals as part of its anti-…
Headline
Survey to assess readiness for electronic prior authorization standards open until Oct. 9 
The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange has launched its fall 2026 survey to assess industry readiness for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid…
Blog
The Stigma Healthcare Still Has to Break
To reduce suicide in the healthcare workforce, hospitals and health systems must create an environment where workers feel safe asking for help.By Susan…
Headline
Agencies announce new independent dispute resolution entity, bringing total to 17
The departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury have added Physio Solutions, LLC as a new independent dispute resolution entity…
Headline
HHS awards $383 million in grants for suicide prevention, other behavioral health efforts on 988 Day
The Department of Health and Human Services announced Sept. 8 through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that it will award $383.4…