What is VA Community Care
VA Community Care is a program that may allow eligible Veterans to receive certain healthcare services from approved providers in their local community. Eligibility depends on your individual needs and circumstances, the availability of VA care, and approval from your VA healthcare team.
Acupuncture is one of the complementary and integrative health approaches included in VA’s Whole Health system. When clinically necessary and approved by a Veteran’s care team, acupuncture may be covered as part of a Veteran’s VA medical benefits.
Important: VA Community Care must be approved by VA before non-urgent acupuncture appointments are covered. Please do not assume an appointment is covered until you have received authorization.
How the Process Works
1. Ask Your VA Care Team
2. Receive VA referral
3. Review Your Authorization
4. Contact Missoula Acupuncture
5. Attend Your Appointment
Who May Be Eligible?
VA Community Care may be available to Veterans who are enrolled in, or eligible for, VA health care and receive approval from their VA care team before seeing a community provider.
VA may consider Community Care when acupuncture is not available through VA, when wait-time or travel-distance standards are not met, when community care is in the Veteran’s best medical interest, or through another VA-approved eligibility pathway.
VA makes the final decision about eligibility and authorization.
READY TO BEGIN?
If you have an active VA referral or authorization for acupuncture, contact Missoula Acupuncture so we can help confirm your information and schedule your visit.
If you are still waiting for VA approval, speak with your VA healthcare team first. We are happy to answer general scheduling questions, but VA determines Community Care eligibility and authorization.