The short answer
Yes. After VA prepares your Community Care referral, you can call the community provider and book it yourself, or ask VA to schedule it. If you book it yourself, VA asks you to tell your VA care team within 14 days so they can record the appointment and coordinate with the provider.
Can I schedule my own Community Care appointment?
Yes. VA's referral page says that after you get your referral, you can schedule the appointment yourself or ask your VA team to do it.
The key word is "after." You need VA's referral first. Booking a routine appointment before VA approves the care can leave you with the bill.
Why would I schedule it myself?
- Speed. You can call as soon as the referral is ready.
- Fit. You can pick a day and time that works with your job, kids, or other appointments.
- Choice. If you asked VA to use a specific provider, you can call that office directly.
Why would I let VA schedule it?
- You don't want to make the calls.
- You're not sure which provider to use.
- The care is complex and needs coordination.
VA also uses a system that lets its staff book directly into some community providers' calendars, which can make VA scheduling faster.
What's the 14-day rule?
If you schedule it yourself, tell your VA care team within 14 days. VA records the appointment in your chart so it can coordinate with the provider and send your records. Secure Messaging works well: give the provider's name, the date and time, and your authorization number.
This notice is about coordination. It helps VA send your records to the provider and keep track of your care.
How do I schedule it myself?
- Make sure the referral is ready. You should have an authorization number, or VA should confirm the referral was sent.
- Call the provider named on the referral. Say you're a Veteran with a VA Community Care referral and give the authorization number.
- Confirm they have the referral. If they don't, call your facility's Community Care office.
- Book a date inside the approved time period.
- Tell your VA team within 14 days.
What if the provider can't see me soon?
Ask VA for help. You can ask for a different eligible provider, or ask VA to look for one. VA says to contact your VA health care team if you can't find an in-network provider who meets your needs. See Choosing or Changing Your Provider.
What about follow-up appointments?
If VA approved continued care, you can schedule follow-ups directly with the provider. Keep track of how many visits you've used and when the authorization ends. See How Long an Authorization Lasts.