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
The AHA June 29 sent a letter to senators urging them to amend the budget reconciliation bill before its final passage in the Senate. The Senate version of the…
Headline
The latest video in the AHA’s series “Medicaid: Real Lives, Real Care” features Melissa Fannon-Wisner, DNP, nurse educator and nurse practitioner at Valley…
Headline
In a Q&A, Becky Pletzer, a social worker and mother, explains how critical Medicaid has been to support her son with disabilities, and why cuts to the…
Headline
The Supreme Court June 27 voted 6-3 to uphold an Affordable Care Act provision creating an independent task force charged with making recommendations of…
Blog
Public
A Q&A with Becky Pletzer, social worker and parent to a son with disabilities Q: Can you tell me about yourself and your family?A: I’m Dr. Becky…
Headline
A new advertisement by the Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare highlights President Trump’s comments to “love and cherish” and “not touch” the…