VA Community Care Network Provider in Washington State

A VA Community Care Network Provider can offer accessible healthcare services outside VA medical facilities, including addiction treatment.

Veterans seeking mental health and addiction treatment may benefit from choosing a provider from the VA Community Care Network. The Recovery Village Ridgefield is a VA Community Care Network provider for those seeking treatment in Washington. Located in the Southern portion of the state, our facility is a Washington State VA Community Care Network provider conveniently accessible from surrounding areas, including Portland, Oregon. 

What Is the VA Community Care Network (CCN)?

The Community Care Network (CCN) is a network of private healthcare providers that gives veterans greater accessibility to healthcare outside VA medical facilities. The VA can schedule appointments on the veteran’s behalf, or the veteran can request care at a facility of their choosing within the network, like The Recovery Village Ridgefield. The network allows the VA to purchase care for veterans from healthcare providers within the community but outside of the VA. 

Benefits of Using VA Community Care Network Providers

The VA Community Care Network provides veterans with improved access to needed healthcare services, including a wider range of addiction treatment services. Veterans who meet eligibility requirements can receive care from Community Care Network providers when the VA cannot provide the necessary care. The VA will cover the cost of care at Community Care Network providers as long as the veteran has received preauthorization from the VA. The primary benefits of using the VA Community Care Network are that you’ll have access to more services and save money. 

How Does Community Care Work?

The Community Care Network helps eligible veterans to access treatment with the CCN. In most instances, if you meet one or more eligibility standards, you must seek approval from the VA before you receive care. Typically, VA staff members will decide if you’re eligible. To receive care in the CCN, you’ll need to be either enrolled in VA healthcare or eligible for it. 

How Much Does Community Care Cost?

The VA covers the cost of treatment provided by CCN facilities. However, if a veteran receives treatment for a condition unrelated to their time in the service, they may be required to pay a co-payment. These co-payments are not paid at the time of service; instead, the veteran is billed after receiving care. 

Working With Your VA Benefits

At The Recovery Village Ridgefield, our Veteran Advocates help you navigate your Community Care eligibility and health insurance benefits through our partnership with the VA. We advocate on your behalf to make the approval process as seamless as possible so you can access high-quality, professional addiction treatment for veterans.

VA Community Care Eligibility

People often ask, “What veterans are eligible for VA healthcare?” To be eligible for VA Community Care, a veteran must meet just one of the following six criteria: 

• They require a service unavailable at a VA medical facility.
• They reside in a U.S. state or territory lacking a full-service VA medical facility.
• The VA cannot provide care to the veteran within designated driving and wait time standards. 
• The veteran’s best medical interest is to receive treatment from a CCN provider.
• The VA service line is not meeting particular quality standards.
• The veteran qualifies under the “Grandfather” provision regarding distance eligibility for VCP.

Patient-Centered Community Care (PC3) Regional Networks

The VA Community Care Network includes five regions. These regions are contract vehicles from which the VA can purchase care for veterans from providers within the community. 

Here is a breakdown of the states covered under each region. 

Region 1

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Virginia
• West Virginia

Region 2

• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• South Dakota
• Wisconsin

Region 3

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Oklahoma
• Puerto Rico
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virgin Islands (U.S.)

Region 4

• American Samoa
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Guam
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Montana
• New Mexico
• Nevada
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Oregon
• Texas
• Utah
• Washington
• Wyoming

Region 5

• Alaska 

How To Request VA Community Care

If you’re a veteran needing treatment from a provider within the community, it’s important to follow the proper procedure for requesting care. Consider these steps. 

Step 1) Consult Creation and Review

The first step in requesting VA Community Care is talking with your doctor about beginning the “consult creation and review” process. Your doctor at the VA will request to refer you to another medical and/or behavioral care provider. The request, called the “consult,” will be reviewed by the Community Care department. 

Step 2) Scheduling

After they’ve approved the consult, the Community Care department will contact you. They will then reach out to your preferred Community Care provider to verify that they are in-network and to schedule an appointment. 

Step 3) Authorization

The VA must approve your medical care before you attend your appointment. Once your appointment is scheduled and your care is authorized, you’ll get a letter with information about where you’re approved to seek care, what care you can receive and how long you’re approved to receive care. You’ll also be given an authorization number for your records. 

Step 4) Community Care Visit

Attending your appointment is the final step in the process. After your first appointment, you can schedule future appointments directly with the provider if you’re approved for ongoing care. Once you attend your allotted number of visits, you’ll need to receive re-authorization from the VA to cover additional care with the community provider. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

How do I find a VA Community Care Network provider in my area?

Veterans can find VA Community Care Network providers on the VA website. 

What types of services are covered by the VA Community Care Network?

The VA Community Care Network covers a range of services, including medical, behavioral health, surgical, dental and complementary and integrative health services. This means that addiction rehab for veterans at The Recovery Village Ridgefield is eligible for VA Community Care Network coverage.

How does payment work for services received through the VA Community Care Network?

As long as you have authorization for services, when you receive care through the VA Community Care Network, the VA will pay for the cost of your healthcare. If you receive care for a condition that is not service-related, you will have a copay, and you’ll receive a bill for this copay after your appointment. 

Can family members of veterans see a Community Care provider?

There are some instances in which family members and dependents of a veteran can receive care through the VA’s family member and dependent health care benefit programs. Contact the VA or visit their webpage to learn more. 

Resources

The following resources can be helpful for veterans and their families:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, then press 1
• Women Veterans Call Center: 1-855-829-6636
• Assistance for Homeless Veterans: 1-877-424-3838
• Support for Caregivers: 1-855-260-3274

You may also benefit from the information on the following pages: 

• Substance Abuse Resources for Veterans 
• Specialized Veteran Rehab 
• Admissions Process for Veterans at The Recovery Village Ridgefield 
• Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment 
• The Harmful Effects of Stigma on Veterans With Substance Abuse
• Best Addiction Treatment Resources for Veterans 

If you’re looking for VA Community Care treatment for addiction within Washington State, The Recovery Village Ridgefield is here to help. We’re part of the VA CCN and offer on-site inpatient and partial hospitalization treatment. Contact one of our Recovery Advocates today to get started.