VA Community Care Network

The Veterans Affairs Community Care Network (CCN) consists of healthcare professionals and facilities who provide essential services to Veterans when the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) cannot fulfill their needs, either due to geographical challenges or specific healthcare requirements.

These external providers, located within local communities, often offer a broader spectrum of services than those available at nearby VA facilities, including specialized care for Veterans dealing with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or mental health issues. The VA generally covers these services provided by CCN practitioners for Veterans receiving VA care.

As a Community Care Partner, Patriot PowerUp ensures Veterans can access high-quality and prompt treatment at our facility for conditions such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and a variety of other mental and behavioral health concerns.

If you believe you are eligible to receive care at a CCN provider, complete the following steps:

• Schedule an appointment with your VA provider: Start by speaking with your VA mental health provider about your specific healthcare needs. If your provider determines the VA cannot provide the necessary care in a timely manner or if it’s in your best medical interest to seek care outside of the VA, they will initiate a referral to a community care provider.
• Referral Process: Your VA provider will submit a referral request through the HealthShare Referral Manager (HSRM) system. This system manages and tracks community care referrals to ensure that the care you receive is coordinated and timely.
• Eligibility and Authorization: The referral must be approved by the VA, which will assess your eligibility based on various criteria, including the availability of services at the VA and the distance to the nearest VA facility. If approved, the VA will authorize the necessary services and connect you with a community care provider within the VA’s network.
• Scheduling an Appointment: Once the referral is approved, you can schedule an appointment with the community care provider. The VA may assist in coordinating the appointment, or you may be given instructions to contact the provider directly to set up your care.
• Medical Records: Once approved for community care through the VA, it is essential to ensure the community provider has access to the Veteran’s complete medical history to deliver the best possible care. Veterans should request for their medical records be transferred from the VA to the community care provider immediately after the approval of their community care consult and scheduling of admission.
• Follow-Up and Care Coordination: After receiving care from the community provider, the VA will follow up to ensure that the care was provided as authorized and to manage any further treatment needs. The VA may also handle any necessary transitions back to VA care after your community care episode is complete.