The VA Mission Act is one of several programs through which a Veteran can receive care from a community provider. A Veteran could be eligible to use the Mission Act for community care when (for a comprehensive list visit https://missionact.va.gov):
VA can’t provide the services the Veteran need.
VA is unable to schedule an appointment that is within the average drive time or appointment wait-times (Important: Access standards are not yet final).
30-minute average drive time for primary care, mental health, and non-institutional extended care services (including adult day health care).
60-minute average drive time for specialty care.
Appointment wait time at a specific VA medical facility:
20 days for primary care, mental health care, and non-institutional extended care services, unless the Veteran agrees to a later date in consultation with their VA health care provider.
28 days for specialty care from the date of request, unless the Veteran agrees to a later date in consultation with their VA health care provider.
NOTE: If someone with VA healthcare goes to a non-VA (or VA authorized) care facility, the MA/MAPD man pay for other services you may need during your stay. Or, if the VA only authorized some services in a non-VA location, then the MA/MAPD may pay for other services the beneficiary may need during their stay. The VA beneficiary would need to confirm with the medical facility what services were authorized by the VA and will be covered by the VA to ensure there is not confusion regarding billing and out-of-pocket costs. https://missionact.va.gov/
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