Veterans Overview
VA provides health care for Veterans from providers in your local community outside of VA. Veterans may be eligible to receive care from a community provider when VA cannot provide the care needed. This care is provided on behalf of and paid for by VA.
Community care is available to Veterans based on certain conditions and eligibility requirements, and in consideration of a Veteran’s specific needs and circumstances. Community care must be first authorized by VA before a Veteran can receive care from a community provider.
As with care provided directly by VA, Veterans are charged a copayment for nonservice-connected care. Learn how to pay your bill and alternative payment options. In addition, VA may bill Veterans’ health insurance for medical care, supplies, and prescriptions related to treatment of nonservice-connected conditions.
Learn More About Costs and Billing
Types of Care
![General Community Care General Community Care](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218035358im_/https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/images/icons/icon_veterans-medal.png)
How to access community care and schedule appointments, and covered services
![Urgent Care Urgent Care](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218035358im_/https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/images/icons/icon_urgent_care.png)
Urgent care services are used
to treat non-life threatening injuries and illnesses
![Emergency Care Emergency Care](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218035358im_/https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/images/icons/icon_emergency_care.png)
Health care for Veterans in medical emergencies
![Foreign Medical Care Foreign Medical Care](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218035358im_/https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/images/icons/icons_foreign-medical.png)
Health care benefits for eligible Veterans living or traveling in foreign countries
![Home, Health and Hospice Care Home, Health and Hospice Care](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218035358im_/https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/images/icons/icons_home-health-services.png)
Care provided to Veterans
in their home
![Indian Health Service/Tribal Health Program Indian Health Service/Tribal Health Program](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218035358im_/https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/images/icons/icons_indian-health-services.png)
Health care for eligible American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans
![In Vitro Fertilization In Vitro Fertilization](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218035358im_/https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/images/icons/icons_ivf.png)
Infertility treatment and
services for Veterans with certain service‑connected conditions
![State Veterans Homes State Veterans Homes](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218035358im_/https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/images/icons/icons_state-home.png)
Nursing home, domiciliary,
and adult day care for Veterans provided by state governments
![No Cost Flu Shots No Cost Flu Shots](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218035358im_/https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/images/icons/icons_flu-immunizations.png)
Free flu shots for Veterans through VA facilities, or an in‑network retail pharmacy or urgent care location
Costs and Billing
![Copayments Copayments](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218035358im_/https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/images/icons/icons_copayment.png)
Information about copayments for nonservice-connected care
![Billing Billing](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218035358im_/https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/images/icons/icons_electronic-payment.png)
Pay bills online, in person,
by phone or mail, and
dispute information
![Financial Hardship Financial Hardship](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218035358im_/https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/images/icons/icons_billing.png)
Alternative copayment payment options for Veterans with difficult financial circumstances
![Health Insurance Health Insurance](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218035358im_/https://www.va.gov/COMMUNITYCARE/images/icons/icon_Health_Insurance.png)
Using private health insurance
for nonservice-connected care