🏥 VA NON-EMERGENCY COMMUNITY CARE & URGENT CARE WALK-IN RIGHTS
Under the VA MISSION Act of 2018 (38 U.S.C. § 1703 & § 1725A), eligible veterans enrolled in VA healthcare can access non-emergency medical services, specialist consultations, and walk-in retail urgent care clinics in their local civilian communities at $0 out-of-pocket copay.
🌐 6 Community Care Eligibility Criteria (38 U.S.C. § 1703)
DRIVE TIME STANDARD
• Primary Care / Mental Health: Average drive time exceeds 30 minutes to nearest VA facility.
• Specialty Care: Average drive time exceeds 60 minutes to nearest VA specialty clinic.
• Primary Care / Mental Health: Average drive time exceeds 30 minutes to nearest VA facility.
• Specialty Care: Average drive time exceeds 60 minutes to nearest VA specialty clinic.
WAIT TIME STANDARD
• Primary Care / Mental Health: Wait time for VA appointment exceeds 20 days.
• Specialty Care: Wait time for VA specialty appointment exceeds 28 days.
• Primary Care / Mental Health: Wait time for VA appointment exceeds 20 days.
• Specialty Care: Wait time for VA specialty appointment exceeds 28 days.
OTHER ELIGIBILITY PATHWAYS
• VA does not offer the required medical service.
• Veteran resides in a State/Territory without a full-service VA medical facility.
• Best clinical interest of the veteran (agreed upon between veteran & VA doctor).
• VA service line fails to meet designated VA quality standards.
⚡ CHECK COMMUNITY CARE ELIGIBILITY WITH VECTOR ➔
• VA does not offer the required medical service.
• Veteran resides in a State/Territory without a full-service VA medical facility.
• Best clinical interest of the veteran (agreed upon between veteran & VA doctor).
• VA service line fails to meet designated VA quality standards.
🚑 Walk-In Urgent Care Benefit (38 U.S.C. § 1725A)
NO PRIOR AUTHORIZATION NEEDED
Enrolled veterans (who received VA care within the past 24 months) can walk into any in-network retail urgent care clinic (e.g. CVS MinuteClinic, Urgent Care centers in Optum/TriWest CCN network) for minor injuries and illnesses.
Enrolled veterans (who received VA care within the past 24 months) can walk into any in-network retail urgent care clinic (e.g. CVS MinuteClinic, Urgent Care centers in Optum/TriWest CCN network) for minor injuries and illnesses.
COVERED CONDITIONS & COPAY RULES
• Covered: Flu, strep throat, ear infections, minor skin rashes, minor cuts, sprains, X-rays.
• Priority Groups 1–5 (10%+ Service-Connected): $0 Copay for first 2 visits per calendar year! ($30 copay for visit 3+).
• Priority Group 6: $0 copay if visit is for service-connected disability.
• Covered: Flu, strep throat, ear infections, minor skin rashes, minor cuts, sprains, X-rays.
• Priority Groups 1–5 (10%+ Service-Connected): $0 Copay for first 2 visits per calendar year! ($30 copay for visit 3+).
• Priority Group 6: $0 copay if visit is for service-connected disability.
14-DAY PRESCRIPTION FILLING
Up to a 14-day supply of urgent non-controlled medications can be filled at an in-network community pharmacy at $0 out-of-pocket for service-connected conditions!
⚡ UNLOCK URGENT CARE LOCATOR WITH VECTOR ➔
Up to a 14-day supply of urgent non-controlled medications can be filled at an in-network community pharmacy at $0 out-of-pocket for service-connected conditions!