If you are a veteran who needs treatment for a mental health condition, substance use, or both, the VA is not your only option. Through the VA Community Care Network, eligible veterans can receive care from approved private providers when the VA cannot provide it directly. FHE Health is one of those providers.
This matters because veterans rarely face a single condition. Among veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and were diagnosed with a substance use disorder, 82% to 93% were also diagnosed with a co-occurring mental health condition such as PTSD, depression, or anxiety, according to a peer-reviewed review. Integrated care that treats both at once is exactly what we provide.
Is FHE Health a VA Community Care provider?
Yes. FHE Health is a credentialed VA Community Care Network (VA CCN) provider for both mental health and substance use. That means eligible veterans can receive our full continuum of care, from detox through residential treatment and outpatient programs, paid for through the VA when the proper authorization is in place.
The fastest way to know where you stand is a free, confidential benefits check. Our admissions team will look into your specific situation, explain your options, and help you understand the VA authorization process. If we are not the right fit for your needs, we will help point you toward a provider who is.
What is the VA Community Care Network?
The VA Community Care Network is the program the VA uses to connect veterans with approved private providers when care is not available or practical through a VA medical facility. It was established under the VA MISSION Act of 2018 to expand access to timely care. When the VA cannot provide the treatment you need, cannot see you within its access standards, or does not offer a particular service, community care allows you to receive that care from an approved provider like FHE Health, with the VA covering authorized treatment.
Am I eligible for VA Community Care?
Eligibility is determined by the VA, and you only need to meet one of six criteria to qualify:
- The service or care you need is not available at any VA medical facility.
- You live in a state or territory without a full-service VA medical facility.
- You qualify under the grandfathered 40-mile distance provision from the former Veterans Choice Program.
- The VA cannot provide your care within its access standards for drive time or wait time.
- You and your VA provider agree that community care is in your best medical interest.
- A VA service line is not meeting the VA’s quality standards.
The access standards are worth knowing, because behavioral health falls under the more accessible tier. For primary care, mental health, and extended outpatient care, the standard is a 30-minute average drive time or a 20-day wait. For specialty care, it is a 60-minute average drive time or a 28-day wait. If the VA cannot meet these for the care you need, you may qualify for community care.
How to get care through VA Community Care at FHE Health
VA Community Care always begins with the VA. You cannot self-refer, but the process is straightforward, and our admissions team can help you through it:
- Talk with your VA care team to confirm your eligibility for community care.
- Once you are eligible, choose an approved community provider such as FHE Health, on your own or with help from VA staff.
- The VA issues an authorization and referral to you and to the provider.
- Schedule your appointment and begin treatment.
A referral from the VA is what authorizes your care, so contact the VA first. Our admissions team can help you understand the steps, coordinate with the VA, and get you scheduled once your authorization is in place.
What VA Community Care covers at FHE Health
As a VA CCN provider for mental health and substance use, FHE Health offers veterans a full continuum of care under authorized community care, including:
- Medically supervised detox
- Residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient care
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Treatment for co-occurring conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety
Whether you come to us for substance use, a mental health condition, or both, your care is built around your needs, and your treatment team determines the right level of care after evaluation.
What does VA Community Care cost?
For care the VA authorizes, the VA covers the treatment. Any copay depends on your VA priority group and the type of care you receive, and it relates to your VA benefits rather than to FHE Health. You do not pay a copay upfront at the time of care; if one applies, the VA bills you afterward. If you also carry private insurance, the VA may bill it for care that is not connected to your service. Our admissions team can help you understand what to expect before treatment begins.
Frequently asked questions
Verify your VA benefits today
You served, and you should not have to fight through red tape to get care. If you are a veteran wondering whether VA Community Care can cover treatment at FHE Health, the fastest answer is a quick, free, and confidential benefits check. Our admissions team will help you understand your eligibility, coordinate with the VA, and find the right next step for your mental health, your substance use, or both. Call us today at (833) 596-3502.
