Community Care

To find out if your local VA medical center or clinic participates in CITI, please contact the facility directly. A link to a list of participating facilities with direct contact phone numbers is located in the RESOURCES section at the bottom of this page. You may also contact the VHA Office of Community Care (VHA OCC) via any of the methods listed on the contacts page.

CITI is designed to provide CHAMPVA beneficiaries with access to care in a VA facility after the facility has met the needs of their Veteran population. In some areas, Veterans' needs utilize the full capacity of the VA medical facility.

Yes. Since the VA cannot bill Medicare for covered medical services, any CHAMPVA enrollee with Medicare is not eligible to participate in the CITI. If you become Medicare eligible, you must stop using CITI services and obtain your care from a Medicare provider. Your other health insurance (OHI) status may also impact eligibility for the CITI. A participating facility or the VHA Office of Community Care can provide you with additional information on CITI eligibility.

You may be asked to complete an application or a patient registration form by the participating medical facility. Each participating facility has access to the CHAMPVA computer system to check your eligibility and OHI status.

Each participating VA medical facility determines what kind of services may be provided on a space available basis. This includes the availability of the VA pharmacy to fill prescriptions written by a VA physician. If the facility does not offer pharmacy services, it is still possible to use other CHAMPVA program services for your pharmacy needs. Please refer to the CHAMPVA Guide or Pharmacy Benefits for additional information on pharmacy options.

Yes. If the facility experiences a change in Veteran workload, they may decide to limit or discontinue CITI services. The facility will work with our office to provide you timely notification of necessary changes. We can assist you in finding other providers if you are no longer able to be treated at a CITI facility.

There are no cost shares or deductibles for covered services received at a participating CITI facility.

If the participating facility determines you need medical services that are beyond their direct ability, they may refer you to a community health care provider. You will need to use your CHAMPVA benefits when receiving care from this provider. You will be responsible for your standard cost-share under the CHAMPVA program which is typically 25 percent of allowable charges up to $3,000 per year after a $50 annual deductible. The CITI facility will not be involved in payment for this care. The community provider should bill our office directly.