VA Community Care Guide
VA Community Care vs VA facility care
Quick answer: VA facility care is delivered through VA locations and teams. VA Community Care lets eligible Veterans receive authorized care from community providers when VA criteria and authorization apply.
Last updated 2026-06-23. This independent guide is for research and does not replace VA referral authorization, eligibility decisions, or provider office verification.
Options compared
| Option | What it means | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| VA facility care | Care directly through VA hospitals, clinics, and VA care teams. | Start with the Veteran's VA facility or care team. |
| VA Community Care | Authorized care from community providers when VA criteria apply. | Confirm referral authorization before scheduling outside care. |
| Directory research | Provider, clinician, city, state, and care-category pages for comparison. | Use VA Providers to research options, then verify with VA and provider offices. |
Frequently asked questions
Is VA Community Care the same as private insurance?
No. Community care is authorized through VA processes and should be verified before scheduling.
Can a Veteran choose any outside provider?
Veterans should confirm authorization and current provider participation before scheduling outside care.
Is this directory a VA website?
No. VA Community Care Directory is independent and not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Related VA community care pages
- Referral workflow guide
- Find VA and community care on the map
- Browse care categories
- 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.