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Veterans Choice Program

What is the Veteran’s Choice Program (VCP)?

The Veterans Choice Program is one allows Veterans to receive care from a community provider, paid for by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), rather than waiting for a VA appointment or traveling to a VA facility.

Eligibility

Veterans may be eligible to receive care through the Veterans Choice Program based on one or more of the following conditions:

  • VA can’t provide the services the Veteran needs
  • VA can’t make an appointment for the Veteran at the nearest VA medical facility within 30 days of the clinically indicated date (the date the Veteran and their VA provider agree should be the next date the Veteran is seen for care)—or, if VA can’t determine this date—the date the Veteran prefers to be seen next
  • Veteran lives more than 40 miles (driving distance) from the nearest VA medical facility with a full-time primary care physician
  • Veteran has to travel by air, boat, or ferry to get to the nearest VA medical facility
  • Veteran faces an excessive burden in traveling to the nearest VA medical facility (such as geographic challenges, environmental factors, or a health problem that makes it hard for you to travel)

VA will work with the Veteran to determine eligibility based on the above conditions and the Veteran’s specific circumstances.

Next Steps

If you believe you are eligible, call the VCP Call Center at (866) 606-8198 or visit the Veterans Choice Program website to verify eligibility and set up an appointment.

[Information sourced from: U.S Department of Veterans Affairs]

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