VA Community Care Guide
VA Community Care referral preparation checklist
Quick answer: Before a VA Community Care referral conversation, Veterans should gather the care need, preferred location, current symptoms or functional limits, existing records, timing constraints, travel concerns, and questions about authorization.
Last updated 2026-06-23. This independent guide is for research and does not replace VA referral authorization, eligibility decisions, or provider office verification.
What to do next
- Write down the care need and the type of specialist or therapy being discussed.
- List timing concerns, travel distance concerns, and preferred cities or provider offices.
- Gather recent records, imaging, medication lists, or prior therapy notes when available.
- Ask what service is authorized, where it can be scheduled, and how long the authorization lasts.
- Use the directory after the referral discussion to research matching provider and location pages.
Frequently asked questions
When should this checklist be used?
Use it before a VA appointment, referral call, or scheduling conversation about possible Community Care.
Does this checklist submit a referral?
No. It helps Veterans prepare. VA referral authorization must come through the appropriate VA process.
What should Veterans do after authorization?
Research provider options, then verify participation, availability, address, phone number, and appointment details with the provider office.
Related VA community care pages
- How referrals work
- Provider verification checklist
- Find care by city
- Browse all care categories
- Find VA community care by city
VA Community Care Directory is independent and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans should verify eligibility, referral authorization, provider participation, appointment availability, address, and phone details before scheduling.