The short answer
Sometimes. VA uses Veterans Care Agreements when its Community Care Network can't provide the care a Veteran needs. A VA medical facility signs the agreement with the provider, and it lasts up to three years. Contact the Community Care office at your local VA facility to ask whether it needs your services.
What is a Veterans Care Agreement?
A Veterans Care Agreement (VCA) is a direct agreement between a community provider and a VA medical facility. It lets VA pay that provider for authorized care outside the Community Care Network. See VA's VCA page.
VA's fact sheet says VCAs are used in limited situations, when network services are unavailable or not enough. A signed VCA is valid for three years.
When would VA offer one to a solo therapist?
When a local VA needs what you offer and the network can't provide it. Examples might include:
- An area with few or no network therapists.
- A specialty the network lacks locally, such as a specific trauma treatment.
- A Veteran already in your care who qualifies for Community Care, when you aren't in the network.
VA doesn't offer VCAs to everyone who asks. The facility decides based on its needs.
How does the process work?
- Contact the Community Care office at your local VA medical facility and ask whether it uses VCAs for behavioral health.
- Submit the application. VA uses VA Form 10-10171 for VCA requests.
- Get credentialed. VA's fact sheet says VCA providers are credentialed through VA's contracted credentials verification organization.
- Receive referrals and authorizations from that facility, usually through HSRM.
- Bill VA under the agreement's terms.
How is a VCA different from CCN?
| CCN | VCA | |
|---|---|---|
| Who you contract with | Optum or TriWest | A specific VA facility |
| When VA uses it | Default network | When the network can't meet the need |
| Duration | Per network contract | Up to 3 years |
| Billing the Veteran | Not for authorized care | Not for authorized care |
With either one, VA still decides every referral, and you work inside the authorization.
How ValorWell handles this
ValorWell therapists don't need their own VCA or CCN contract to treat Veterans through VA Community Care with ValorWell. ValorWell handles credentialing for its pathways, plus authorizations, Requests for Service, claims, and denials. You can still pursue your own agreements; ValorWell is nonexclusive.
Important limits
- VCAs are VA's choice. A facility may say the network already covers your area.
- A VCA isn't a referral promise. It allows VA to send referrals; it doesn't require it.
- Billing rules are strict. VA's VCA page says providers can't bill the Veteran or the Veteran's other insurance for authorized care.
- Processes vary by facility. Ask your local office how it handles VCAs.