MISSION Act Strengthens VA Care
The MISSION Act gives Veterans greater access to health care in VA facilities and the community, expands benefits for caregivers, and improves VA’s ability to recruit and retain the best medical providers.
Expanding Benefits for Caregivers
As part of the VA MISSION Act, we’re working to give more family caregivers access to the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers so we can support them as they care for Veterans of all eras. Currently, this program is only available to eligible Veterans injured in the line of duty on or after September 11, 2001. VA is currently not accepting applications for Veterans of other eras.
Once the Secretary has certified that VA’s new caregiver information technology system is fully implemented, we will be expanding eligibility for our Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Once the system is certified, VA will begin accepting applications in 2 phases:
- First, family caregivers of Veterans who were seriously injured in the line of duty on or before May 7, 1975, will become eligible for this program.
- After 2 years, family caregivers of Veterans who were seriously injured in the line of duty between May 7, 1975, and September 10, 2001, will become eligible.
General Support Services
Currently, caregivers of Veterans from all eras may be eligible for training, education, respite care services, the Caregiver Support Line, self-care courses, and other services. We provide general support for caregivers of any enrolled Veteran, regardless of how or when they were injured.
Comprehensive Assistance
In addition to general support, caregivers in our Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers may receive a monthly stipend, beneficiary travel, mental health counseling, enhanced respite services, and other benefits.
How to Access VA Health Care
Eligible Veterans can use VA health care services nationwide, including through mobile health clinics that serve rural areas and via telehealth (care through a phone or computer). Note: You need to be enrolled in VA health care to use community care benefits. For general MISSION Act health care inquiries, contact VA311 (1-844-698-2311).
Not enrolled in VA health care yet?
To receive care from VA or a community provider, you must be enrolled in VA health care. Apply online, by mail, or in person.
Enroll in VA health careFind VA medical centers or community care providers
Find a VA medical center or approved non-VA medical (called “community care”) providers near you. Get wait times, addresses, and more.
Find a VA location near youWhen can you use non-VA providers?
It depends on the situation. Learn about the eligibility criteria for expanded community care, under the MISSION Act.
Learn about community care eligibilityCommunity Care Changes
Under the MISSION Act, you’ll have more ways to access health care. This includes within VA’s network and through approved non-VA medical providers in your community, called “community care providers. Depending on your situation—for example, if a certain type of health service isn’t provided by VA—you may be able to go to a non-VA provider, using your VA coverage.
Making appointments with non-VA providers
To obtain community care, you must receive prior approval
from VA.
Urgent and Walk-in Care
Your VA health care includes new urgent care access through a network of walk-in retail health clinics and urgent care facilities.
Learn about your urgent care benefitsHow copays and insurance work with VA
The MISSION Act improves information sharing with community
providers.
Changes to Health Information Sharing
Beginning in April 2020, Veterans will no longer be required to provide signed, written authorization for VA to release electronic health information to community providers for the purposes of receiving medical treatment. VA only shares Veteran health information with a specific community provider when a Veteran is seeking medical care from that provider.
Read the Implementation UpdateIndian Health Service and Tribal Health Programs
You can use VA health care benefits along with your Indian Health Service or Tribal Health plans. To learn more, contact your nearest VA medical center or visit Indian Health Service and Tribal Health Program (IHS/THP).
MISSION Act Regulations in Action
The following documents relate to changes implemented as a result of the MISSION Act.
Published
Veterans Healing Veterans Medical Access and Scholarship Program
This rule establishes a pilot program to provide funding for the medical education of eligible veterans who are enrolled in covered medical schools.
Effective Date: December 13, 2019Learn More : Veterans Healing Veterans | Federal Register
Open for Comment
Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers
In the proposed rule, VA seeks to standardize eligibility by expanding the definition of serious injury to include any service-connected disability — regardless of whether it resulted from an injury, illness or disease — defining what it means to be in need of personal care services, and ensuring that the eligibility criteria capture the personal care service needs of Veterans and Servicemembers with cognitive or neurological impairment or mental health conditions, among other things.
Open for Comment Until: May 5, 2020
For general MISSION Act health care inquiries, contact 1-844-698-2311
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