Mission Act

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.

Community 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 at VA expense, you must receive prior approval from VA.

Before scheduling an appointment, it is important for the Veteran to confirm with their VA primary care provider (PCP) that they are eligible and authorized for community care.

Once authorized to receive community care, there are several options for scheduling an appointment with a community provider, depending on the type of care they need. A Veteran may be able to:

  • Use VA Online Scheduling to request an appointment for certain types of routine services
  • Have a VA staff member schedule the appointment
  • Have the Community care provider schedule the appointment

VA will send the Veteran and the selected community provider a referral. VA will also send the Veteran's medical documentation to the community provider to ensure proper care coordination between their VA care team and the community provider.

Please note, you must have a referral from your PCP before scheduling. We strongly recommend that appointments be scheduled by the VA or the community care provider. They will not schedule a veteran without the referral. But it is still the veteran's responsibility to ensure the referral request was approved before seeing a community care provider.

Prescription Medication

If prescription medication is needed, the prescription should be sent to and filled by the nearest VA pharmacy. Veterans can receive short-term prescription medication for a 14-day or fewer supply that can be filled at a non-VA pharmacy. A prescription for more than a 14-day supply must be filled by VA. Contact the Tomah Pharmacy at 800-252-7188 prior to getting any prescriptions filled at a non-VA Pharmacy for approval.