Explore VA Community Care for addiction rehab! Get timely access to treatment outside VA facilities. Check your eligibility now.
VA Community Care Health Coverage for Drug Rehab
Explore VA Community Care for addiction rehab! Get timely access to treatment outside VA facilities. Check your eligibility now.
The VA Community Care Program is part of the broader Veterans Affairs Health System. The program lets eligible veterans receive care from community providers outside of VA facilities when a VA hospital or clinic isn’t accessible or the wait time is too long. The CCN was established in 2018 to provide veterans with timely and accessible health care, especially for those who cannot readily access VA healthcare facilities or when specific services are unavailable.
Your eligibility hinges on the availability of services at a local VA facility or quality concerns at an existing VA service along with specific healthcare needs that are better met through community providers. Veterans living in states without full service VA medical facilities, such as in Alaska or Hawaii, are typically eligible. The CCN does not require preauthorization for urgent care services. For regular appointments or specialized care you will need a VA referral and could still have wait times.
Does VA Community Care Cover Addiction Rehab?
VA Community Care is an extension of VA Healthcare services. To use a CCN facility the VA must provide a referral. Your primary care provider in the VA can initiate a referral that must pass a comprehensive review by the Community Care Department.
VA Community Care can cover a comprehensive range of addiction treatment. Treatment is not a one size fits all process and your customized treatment program may require medical detoxification and/or inpatient or residential treatment and/or outpatient care. By working closely with your VA doctor you’ll be able to get a treatment plan that outlines exactly what you need which will help you get approved for CCN providers as needed.
What I love about this facility is their exceptional patient-to-therapist ratio, which really helps in the treatment process. Couldn't be more thankful to them.
Gwnekbs Sbbeosbd
1 month ago
When we started, I was hesitant about making changes, even though I knew I needed help. My goals were to keep my relationship strong, revive my passion for my business, and address my mental health issues. I'm forever thankful! Their support and service truly transformed me in ways I never imagined possible.
My Dad was admitted to the hospital with an infection and ended up never leaving hospice until he passed last week. With that being said, I want to praise and thank the Floor 3 East hospice nurses and staff for the best & most attentive care. Our experience was wonderful while my dad was here for just over a month. Specifically, best nurses we had were Patrick, Kelly and Jen to name a few. They were so good with my dad and very accommodating to myself, my brother and step-mother while we took turns sleeping over at night. They constantly checked on my dad to make sure his comfort level was ok. I am saddened by my father's loss but this hospital/wing did a great job making us feel at home and treating Dad with respect. Thank you 3 East.
Brittany Amodio
2 months ago
Sadly, this is my second surgery in the past seven months, but thankfully, I chose Riverview to have both of them done… From the valet Parker’s to the people that work at the desk to the people that literally hold your life in their hands I can honestly say that as much as you hate going to the doctors or the hospitals, my experience there have been Unbelievable. Cant thank them enough for the way they treat and care for you. Thank you!
Louis Battaglio
3 months ago
the most friendly hospital i ever been, by the time i valet park my truck, at a warming welcome at the registration and most of all the friendly staff and nurses...thank you
I have been struggling with alcoholism for many years and have been treated at more facilities than I care to admit...unsuccessfully.
Michael's House is different. From day one I was treated with dignity and respect. They truly care. I felt supported throughout my stay,
I feel supported through after care. I know I will always have their support on my sober journey moving forward.
Thanks Michael's House Family!!!!
Shelley Taylor
1 month ago
Every single staff member there is amazing . This place is full of love and hugs and understanding the disease of alcohol and showing the way to live a sober & clean life. I have been to a few rehab centers and this one is by far my favorite one.
Suzanne Jamieson
2 months ago
This was a life saving moment in my life! If you’re serious about living a clean life I would recommend going if not then continue with what you’re doing!
AlcoholismDrug AddictionDual DiagnosisMental Health and Substance AbuseOpioid AddictionSubstance Abuse
Adult ProgramYoung Adult Program
Private InsuranceSelf-Pay Options
All of the staff are super nice and helpful! It’s very clear how much they really care about you and are rooting for your success.
Hannah Nicole
2 months ago
Calvary Healing Center will forever have a special place in my heart. The therapies that they provided went beyond my expectations. I have healed and grown in unexpected ways. Thank you universe for allowing me to come across Calvary. You all saved my life!
Jamie Madrid
2 months ago
Healthy healing process for my life great community 🥰
Adult ProgramYoung Adult ProgramLGBTQ ProgramMilitary ProgramTeen ProgramSeniors Program
Private InsuranceSelf-Pay OptionsMedicareMedicaidMilitary InsuranceFinancial Aid
I had a wonderful experience with my program! Everyone was amazing and i truly wouldn’t be in such a good place in my life without the help from this facility! Life feels beautiful again and i couldn’t be more thankful! Brad is a wonderful human and you can really feel how much everyone there cares. Highly recommend for treatment programs and will be continuing my journey with my psychiatrist there! Thank you! 🩷
Shelby Clemens
2 months ago
This place and its staff are truly amazing at what they do. At this location you can tell the care and support they give you comes from a truly genuine place. I can’t appreciate that enough.
Rachel K
8 months ago
I can't say enough good things about the people I encountered here. They are truly special, and the work they do is amazing. You get of the experience what you put in, and I am grateful for the support they gave me in one of the most difficult periods of my life. Would highly recommend.
I'm writing this review to express my sincere appreciation for Chris Vallecillo, a clinician who truly made a difference in my treatment at Relevance. I worked with Chris for a significant period, and his approach to therapy was incredibly effective for me.
Chris has a unique ability to connect with you on a personal level while maintaining a professional and insightful demeanor. He created a comfortable and trusting environment where I felt safe to openly discuss my challenges. His guidance was always practical and actionable, helping me develop coping mechanisms and strategies that genuinely improved my well-being. I particularly valued his ability to listen intently and offer perspectives that I hadn't considered, which was crucial for my progress.
I was genuinely disappointed to learn that Chris is no longer working at Relevance. His departure is a significant loss for the facility, as his expertise and compassionate approach are truly exceptional. For anyone seeking a clinician who is not only highly skilled but also deeply committed to their patients' success, Chris Vallecillo is, in my experience, outstanding. I wish him all the best in his future endeavors and hope that others will have the opportunity to benefit from his incredible support as I did.
Zach
1 week ago
I learned a lot of valuable skills at Relevance. Gracie was a phenomenal counselor who was empathetic with great boundaries. Latifah helped me so much with guidance, med management and life skills. Chelsea was incredible at teaching and explaining DBT. The only pressing issue I had during treatment was difficulty receiving case management needs. Other than that, I have made immense progress, and it was with the helping hands of relevance. Thank you Relevance team for your patience, dual diagnosis care, and laughter. Empowering experience for sure.
Mandy H
2 months ago
I could not have asked to be cared for by a more caring, knowledgeable staff.
My experience here at Palmetto was fantastic, educational and therapeutic to say the least. Upon arrival I was immediately excepted into the most honorable community I have ever been a part of in my life. As long as you do the work and apply what is being taught to you it will change your life for the better. I have formed many lifelong bonds with great and genuine people made up of both staff and clients. I highly recommend this facility to anyone that desires to quit drinking and that is all it takes. I will be forever grateful for everyone here. God Bless Palmetto.
Erich
1 month ago
Loved it here, would recommend to anyone struggling with addiction
I showed up to Treehouse ready to change but i didn't know how to make these changes. Anything i tried alone always seemed to fail until i was accepted into the treehouse family. They showed me how to handle simple to complex tasks with a rational clear thinking mind. They gave me the tools and confidence to stay in a state of gratitude day in and day out. They solidified my hard working ethics and gave me a place to call home. We worked hard and we had a lot of fun. I particularly love the ocean (surfing, diving, skimboarding) so being on the boats with the team was my favorite part of the physical modalities. I owe it big time to the clinical staff for listening intently, caring and asking the right questions at the right time to help me work through a lifetime of baggage.
Cruz Bokolas
1 month ago
Treehouse has made a huge impact on my life. The values, connections and education have given me an entire different perspective on life. They have given me the tools and knowledge on how to live a life in sobriety. The staff are all super cool and very supporting of whatever you are going through and will do the best they can to help you get where you need to be. Thank you treehouse !
Lansen Fung
3 months ago
Tree House is truly an incredible place. My life was changed in so many ways thanks to Tree House and the amazing staff. I love this place with all my heart and the people I got to know during my time there. The structure of the program combined with the camaraderie of the people around you is a match made in heaven. Thank you Tree House for giving me the life I live today.
Amazing staff great family type environment.....thanks for helping me take my steps towards my life in recovery...... Sobriety is a date recovery is for a lifetime
Charlie Thrasher
4 months ago
I highly recommend woodland recovery to anyone struggling with addiction, they are dedicated to helping people over come addiction. They staff are helpful and helpful during your stay.
Renee Breeden
4 months ago
Absolutely the best Treatment Center in North Mississippi. They honestly care about the patients.
Just want the public to know how very satisfied we were while my husband was there in May2025. Thank you ER, Doctors Nurses and staff 6th floor Mandaluran section.
Rose Stone
1 month ago
Such great caring and compassionate staff and Dr’s. A big thank you to Domineek, Menchu, and Leslie for taking really good care of me and a great job from Dr. Parker and all the OR staff. THANK YOU 🙏
Tony Rebelo
1 month ago
I was brought to the Emergency Department at Jersey Shore University Medical Center on Memorial Day because I was experiencing nausea and a headache followed with extreme dizziness, and let me tell you, my experience here at JSUMC was absolutely PHENOMENAL! The doctors and nurses are super kind and knowledgeable. I don’t remember none of their names but everyone working at Jersey Shore is very friendly. Forgot to mention, the environment of the hospital is very cool and cozy! Now I see why Jersey Shore is ranked one of the top hospitals for adults and children in the entire nation, one of the best hospitals I’ve ever been with such good people!
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Frequently Asked Questions
When Would I Use VA Community Care Instead of the VA Hospital?
There are several circumstances under which you would use the VA Community Care services instead of a VA facility. Typically it involves the availability of service, timeliness of care, and geographic convenience.
You might receive care from a CCN provider if services are not available at your local VA facility or if you live in a location far from a VA facility. When the wait time to receive care is beyond 20 days for mental health services and when you and your health care clinician agree that care from community providers is in your best interest you might be eligible for CCN treatment.
Veterans in a U.S. state or territory without a full service VA medical facility are also eligible for care from local community providers. When the wait time for a service is longer than the standard wait time you’re eligible to seek care from a community provider. Another reason you and your VA clinician may agree that getting care from a community provider is in your best medical interest might be that the nature of the treatment or the expertise available in the community that differs greatly from the expertise available in the VA facility.
Community Care Networks are split across five regions in the U.S. You can receive rehabilitation and behavioral health therapy from community providers. They also cover complementary and integrative health services from in network community providers when the treatment is approved by your VA health team. Some of these integrative services may also be used in substance use disorder treatment such as relaxation techniques and biofeedback or even hypnotherapy.
You are advised to consult with your VA primary care provider so you better understand your eligibility under the Community Care program. Your VA provider can initiate the referral process when you meet eligibility requirements.
What Type of Inpatient Rehab Does VA Community Care Cover?
VA Community Care can cover inpatient substance use disorder treatment when it’s medically appropriate for you.
One criterion that may be used for inpatient or residential care is the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) assessment. This is a comprehensive set of guidelines used for assessment and treatment planning as well as identifying the appropriate level of care. These criteria include your current state of intoxication and potential for withdrawal issues as well as physical health issues and mental health conditions. The assessment also looks at your emotional stability and readiness and interest in changing your substance use behavior.
Once you begin treatment inpatient care may first focus on medical detoxification. Detox may use FDA cleared prescription drugs to reduce the effects of withdrawal. After the addictive substance has left your body you are transitioned into evidence based treatments to address your substance use disorder and mental health condition.
Treatment during inpatient or residential rehab can include cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy along with motivational interviewing. Treatments are intended to identify negative thought patterns and behaviors that support addictive behavior and change those to develop healthier coping strategies.
What Type of Outpatient Addiction Treatment Does VA Community Care Cover?
CCN provides care after it’s approved by your VA healthcare provider and the Community Care Department. A treatment center will perform a comprehensive initial evaluation that helps identify the level of care needed. Your initial treatment may begin in an outpatient addiction program. These programs typically use many of the same therapies offered during an inpatient program but the treatment is less intensive.
Three levels of outpatient care might be covered. The first is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) that provides intensive and highly structured treatment and allows you to go home in the evenings. These programs are sometimes called day programs.
An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers greater flexibility while still providing evidence based therapies to address substance use disorders and mental health conditions. You attend fewer hours per week and often have time to meet some of your work and school obligations.
Finally, you may graduate to a general outpatient care program in which you receive outpatient therapy once or twice weekly, including in individual and group therapy settings.
Does VA Community Care Cover Methadone & Suboxone (MAT)?
The VA has been covering some form of medication assisted treatment (MAT) since 2006. MAT can be used during medical detoxification to reduce symptoms of withdrawal and during ongoing treatment for opioid and alcohol use to reduce cravings and reduce the risk of relapse.
The type of medication prescribed depends on the addictive substance. For example, opioid use disorder treatment may include methadone or buprenorphine. A program may also use a combination of buprenorphine and Naltrexone called Suboxone. Alcohol use disorder may be treated with disulfiram or naltrexone or topiramate. Each of these drugs helps you stay stable during treatment and reduces the risk of relapse and overdose deaths.
Does Addiction Treatment Need to Be In Network?
To receive addiction treatment using your VA insurance you must use a VA clinic or get approval for treatment from an approved CCN. Although the VA may assist you with reimbursement for emergency urgent care from an out of network provider, addiction treatment does not generally fall under the category of emergency care.
In certain circumstances you may be able to receive non VA care if you are covered by a second non VA insurance plan. At that point you would be using your non VA insurance as primary and would need to follow the requirements and use the network of that plan.
You must work closely with the treatment center and your insurance providers to understand the requirements for coverage and how to submit claims. In some cases your secondary insurance provider may require a rejection from the VA system before they pay for services.
Does VA Community Care Cover Other Mental Healthcare?
The VA takes mental health care seriously and allows you to receive care from CCN approved providers after approval from VA health services. When you’re unable to get to a VA in person to receive mental health care they also offer an online self help portal and smartphone apps along with telemedicine health programs. When this is not enough CCN healthcare providers can offer crisis support and traditional outpatient therapy for mental health conditions and co occurring disorders.
Co occurring mental health conditions are common with substance use disorders and addiction. This is called a dual diagnosis and requires an integrated approach to care in which both disorders are treated simultaneously to achieve greater success and long term recovery. Mental health conditions can range from anxiety to depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Veterans may also have issues with military sexual trauma or domestic violence or living with a disability.
What to Do if VA Community Care Won’t Cover the Cost of Rehab
The first step to getting care for substance use disorders and mental health conditions is to work with your VA primary care physician. If the VA is unable to meet your needs you may receive a referral to a CCN network provider. If your addiction or mental health condition does not meet VA criteria you may need to cover the cost of rehab yourself. There are several steps you can take to seek financial assistance.
You may qualify for Medicaid which will help cover the cost of addiction and treatment for mental health conditions. If you or your partner has another health insurance policy you may be able to receive care outside of the CCN and VA network. Many treatment centers have financial counselors who are willing to work with you to find financial assistance to help pay for treatment. Some centers offer sliding scale fees or payment plans when you qualify. Treatment centers that accept federal block grants may have scholarships or grants that do not need to be repaid to cover the cost of treatment.
Crowdfunding or personal loans or friends and family may also help cover costs. You can also consider other low cost rehabilitation facilities such as county or state run programs or nonprofit faith based programs or a program like the Salvation Army that allows you to work instead of paying for treatment.
It’s important to know that not all programs offer the same level of quality care. Check the facility’s accreditation which indicates they met a national standard of care and make sure they are staffed by licensed professionals. You’ll also want to check online reviews. Not all online reviews are entirely accurate so it’s important to look at them as a whole rather than only one or two.
Calls to any general helpline will be answered or returned by a paid advertiser.
By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. There is no obligation to enter treatment.
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