Veterans Choice Program - How It Works

Many Veterans will now have the option to receive non-VA health care rather than waiting for a VA appointment or traveling to a VA facility, according to the Official VA Website.

Veterans are eligible if any of these situations apply:

• You have been told by your local VA medical facility that you will need to wait more than 30 days from your preferred date or the date medically determined by your physician
• Your current residence is more than 40 miles from the closest VA health care facility
• You need to travel by plane or boat to the VA medical facility closest to your home
• You face a geographic challenge, such as extensive distances around water or other geologic formations, such as mountains, which presents a significant travel hardship. 

Important Notes:

• The Choice Program is completely optional on your part. If you are satisfied with your wait time at a VA facility, there is nothing you need to do at this time; you can change your mind later.
• Non-VA care is only covered by VA for medical needs which have been approved by your VA physician. VA may help you schedule appointments for other medical needs, but by law can cover only the cost of care related to your VA-approved health needs. 

Every Veteran is supposed to receive a letter and a Choice Card in the mail with details about the program. If you have not gotten this letter and Card, call  call the VA at 866-606-8198.

Veterans will be eligible for the program and receive cards in three phases:

• Veterans who may live more than 40 miles from a VA facility.
• Veterans who are currently waiting for an appointment longer than 30 days from their preferred date or the date determined to be medically necessary by their physician.
• All remaining Veterans enrolled for VA healthcare who may be eligible for the Choice Program in the future. 

To set up an appointment with a non-VA provider, call the VA at 866-606-8198.
This is a new program. There are always bumps in the implementation of anything new. If you advocate for yourself and for your fellow veterans by speaking up calmly and persistently when there is a problem - and also when you are happy with the way things are going - everyone will benefit.