VA Community Care Network Program Provider for Addiction Treatment

The Veterans Affairs (VA) offers many benefits to Veterans, service members, and their families, including healthcare, disability compensation, career resources, housing assistance, life insurance, and education and training opportunities.¹ The VA recognizes the importance of caring for and treating mental health conditions and drug and alcohol addictions experienced by some Veterans and provides high-quality treatment.

However, there are times when the VA cannot provide the necessary services or cannot do so quickly enough. To ensure all Veterans receive the care they need, the VA introduced the MISSION Act.

The MISSION Act

The MISSION Act provides Veterans with increased access to health care from both VA facilities and from general care providers in the community.² Typically, Veterans who are pursuing care from a community provider will need approval from VA before they can receive treatment. Once they have obtained that approval, based on eligibility requirements, availability of care at VA, and the needs of the Veteran, they can then seek alcohol and drug addiction treatment through local, VA-approved facilities.³

With approval from VA, Veterans are able to receive care from non-VA providers, but the care must be provided by VA-approved community care providers (CCPs). All CCPs are required to go through a stringent credentialing process in order to have VA endorse them as a treatment resource.⁴

The care from a community provider is provided on behalf of and paid for by VA.³ The types of care available from CCPs include:³

• General care.
• Emergency care.
• Urgent care.
• Flu shots
• Home, health, and hospice care.

What Is the VA Community Care Program Network?

For those who are unable to obtain treatment through the VA, Veterans can receive care through the Community Care program.⁵ The Community Care program provides Veterans with access to services through local CCPs that have VA approval. The costs of these services are the same as they would be if care was provided through a VA drug rehab facility.

VA Community Care Network Providers

The Community Care Network (CCN) is a system of healthcare providers that provide care and services to Veterans when the VA is unable to do so.³ The CCN is made up of doctors, facilities, and additional practitioners who are external providers located in your community. These providers may offer a broader range of services than local VA providers can provide. This can include addiction rehab and co-occurring mental health disorder treatment. Again, the services provided by Community Care providers are typically covered by the VA.³

What Are the Benefits of VA Community Care Program Network?

There are various benefits of the VA Community Care Network. The network provides quality care for Veterans who are unable to obtain care at traditional VA medical centers. CCN benefits include the following:⁹

Who Qualifies for the Veterans Community Care Program?

To get started with the Community Care program, the first step is to make an appointment at the VA, where they will determine if you are eligible.⁶ Once you’ve received authorization for community care, you can search for an approved provider or obtain assistance from VA.⁶ Then schedule an appointment and notify the VA, who will send your referral to you and the provider.¹

Care through Community Care is available for eligible Veterans. Eligibility for Community Care requires a Veteran to be enrolled in the VA healthcare system and receive approval from VA staff.

To be eligible for Community Care, Veterans need to meet one of six requirements for approval. The Veteran:⁸

• Needs a service not offered at the nearest VA medical facility
• Lives in a U.S. state or territory that lacks a full-service VA medical facility
• Care cannot meet any of the access standards (including timeframe and distance)
• Needs services that are in their best interest
• Qualifies for the “grandfather” provision regarding distance to a facility
• Needs services and those offered at a VA facility do not meet quality standards

Checking Your Insurance Benefits

As a Veteran, it may feel daunting to address your addiction, but there is help available for you. If you are looking for addiction treatment, it can feel overwhelming. As you consider your options, knowing what your insurance plan covers can give you peace of mind while you are in rehab. You can do the work of getting and staying sober without worrying about unexpected costs or financial struggles. For more information on what your insurance plan covers, call AAC at or click here to instantly check your coverage.

What Type of Treatment Is Offered for Veterans?

There are various types of treatment offered to Veterans, both at the VA and through the CCN. When it comes to both substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental health issues (including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression), there are programs available that focus specifically on the treatment of Veterans. Treatment may include:

Addiction treatment may also include medical detoxification, various forms of therapy (individual, group, family), life skills, wellness activities, and holistic therapies.

What Levels of Care Can Be Covered by VA Community Care?

VA Community Care can cover a comprehensive range of addiction treatment levels for eligible Veterans. Addiction treatment is not one-size-fits all and, depending on the needs of the Veteran, there are a number of options available, including detox, inpatient or residential treatment, and outpatient treatment.

Veteran Detox Centers

Medically managed detox helps manage withdrawal symptoms while keeping Veterans as safe and comfortable as possible. Depending on the substance of use, detox can be conducted in a VA-approved rehab center, like inpatient treatment, or on an outpatient level.

Veteran Inpatient Rehab for Addiction

For Veterans who need a more comprehensive treatment program, inpatient rehab (sometimes referred to as residential treatment) may be a good option. In residential addiction treatment for Veterans, Vets receive robust individualized care, access to treatment professionals round-the-clock, and support from other Veterans.

Veteran Outpatient Rehab for Addiction

Outpatient addiction treatment for Veterans is a good option for Vets who have a strong support network at home and haven’t experienced a previous relapse. This is also a good option for Veterans who have work, family, or other obligations that they need to attend to while also getting help with addiction. Outpatient treatment offers comprehensive care but with flexibility, including different levels of care.

• Partial Hospitalization Programming (PHP). In partial hospitalization programs, Vets will spend several hours per day, usually 5 days per week, in treatment, returning home in the evening and on weekends.
• Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP). IOPs are less intense than PHP programs, but more intensive than traditional outpatient. In an intensive outpatient program, Veterans will go to treatment for several hours per day in treatment, usually 3 days per week.

Finding Veteran Addiction Treatment Facilities

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is made up of the United States’ largest network of substance use disorder treatment centers. AAC is an authorized community network care provider partnered with the VA to offer specialized programming called Salute to Recovery at several of our VA Centers of Excellence. These include:

• Desert Hope Treatment Center. AAC’s Las Vegas location offers easy access to life-changing recovery programs for Veterans. Desert Hope provides a true oasis for healing with its hotel-style rooms, private fitness center, and other exceptional amenities.
• Greenhouse Treatment Center. Conveniently located in the heart of the DFW metro area, just outside Arlington and a short drive from Dallas and Fort Worth, Greenhouse offers a serene, luxurious setting for your recovery journey.
• Oxford Treatment Center. Nestled amidst 100 acres of pristine Mississippi nature, you can find support and healing within the main lodge, medical facilities, comfortable cabins, fitness center, and lakeside pavilions.
• River Oaks Treatment Center. Located in beautiful Tampa Bay, FL, River Oaks’ Veterans treatment track offers comprehensive treatment for Vets struggling with addiction and co-occurring disorders. River Oaks Treatment Center boasts a highly skilled clinical team, including four board-certified addiction medicine physicians.

AAC’s facilities are committed to working in partnership with the VA as CCPs to provide the life-changing care that Veterans need as they begin on their road to recovery from alcohol or drug addiction and mental health challenges.

Reclaim Your Life. Get Help Now.