When the Nearest VA Hospital Is Too Far Away
You have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. You need specialized treatment. Surgery. Chemotherapy. Immunotherapy. Maybe even HIPEC for peritoneal mesothelioma.
You live in a small town in Montana. Or rural Texas. Or upstate New York. The nearest VA hospital that treats mesothelioma is 300 miles away. You are too sick to drive that far. You cannot afford to stay in a hotel for weeks. Your family cannot take that much time off work.
What do you do?
The answer is the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) . This program allows you to receive care from non-VA doctors and hospitals in your local community. The VA pays the bill. You get treatment close to home.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the VCCP for mesothelioma. You will learn who qualifies, what services are covered, how to apply, and how to get the care you need without traveling across the country.
No complicated government language. No confusion. Just clear, honest information to help you get the treatment you deserve.
Part 1: What Is the Veterans Community Care Program?
The Simple Explanation
The Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) is a VA program that pays for veterans to receive health care from non-VA providers in their local communities. It is sometimes called “Choice Program” or “Mission Act” care.
The program exists because the VA cannot provide every type of care at every location. Some VA hospitals do not have mesothelioma specialists. Some do not offer the advanced surgeries or treatments you need. Some are simply too far away.
Under VCCP, you can see a local doctor, go to a local hospital, or receive treatment at a local cancer center. The VA pays the bill. You do not pay anything out of pocket for covered services.
Why This Matters for Mesothelioma Patients
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer. Only specialized cancer centers have experience treating it. Many VA hospitals have never treated a single case of mesothelioma.
Under VCCP, you can get treatment at renowned mesothelioma centers like:
- MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas)
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, New York)
- Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota)
- UCLA Medical Center (Los Angeles, California)
Or you can get treatment from a local cancer center close to your home. The choice is yours.
Part 2: Do You Qualify for VCCP?
You qualify for VCCP if you meet any of the following criteria.
Criterion 1: You Need a Service Not Available at Your Local VA
This is the most common reason mesothelioma patients use VCCP. Your local VA hospital does not have:
- A thoracic surgeon who performs pleurectomy or extrapleural pneumonectomy
- A surgical oncologist who performs HIPEC for peritoneal mesothelioma
- An oncologist experienced with mesothelioma chemotherapy or immunotherapy
- A radiation oncologist experienced with mesothelioma radiation
How to prove it: Your VA doctor must certify that the service you need is not available at your local VA.
Criterion 2: You Live Too Far from a VA Facility
You qualify for VCCP if:
- You live more than 40 miles driving distance from the nearest VA medical facility that can provide the service you need, OR
- You live more than 40 miles from any VA medical facility (for primary care or mental health)
Example: You live 80 miles from the nearest VA hospital. You qualify for VCCP for all your care.
Criterion 3: The VA Cannot Schedule You in a Timely Manner
You qualify for VCCP if the VA cannot schedule your appointment within:
- 20 days for primary care or mental health
- 28 days for specialty care (like oncology)
- 30 days for inpatient hospital admissions
Example: You need to see a mesothelioma specialist. The VA says the earliest appointment is 60 days away. You qualify for VCCP.
Criterion 4: You Live in a State Without a Full-Service VA Medical Facility
Veterans living in Alaska, Hawaii, New Hampshire, and certain rural areas qualify for VCCP for most services.
Criterion 5: There Is a “Grandfathered” Agreement
Some VA facilities have longstanding agreements with local non-VA providers. This is less common, but it applies in some areas.
Part 3: What Services Are Covered Under VCCP?
For veterans with mesothelioma, the following services are covered under VCCP.
Inpatient Hospital Care
- Surgery (including pleurectomy, extrapleural pneumonectomy, cytoreductive surgery)
- HIPEC (Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy)
- Hospital stays for complications or symptom management
- Intensive care unit (ICU) stays
Outpatient Care
- Oncology consultations
- Chemotherapy infusions
- Immunotherapy infusions
- Radiation therapy
- Follow-up appointments
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
Emergency Care
- Local emergency room visits
- Ambulance transportation
- Urgent care center visits
Diagnostic Services
- CT scans, MRIs, PET scans
- Biopsies
- Blood tests and laboratory work
- Pulmonary function tests
Prescription Medications
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Immunotherapy drugs
- Pain medications
- Anti-nausea medications
- Other prescriptions related to your mesothelioma treatment
Mental Health Services
- Counseling and therapy
- Support groups
- Psychiatric care
Palliative Care
- Pain management
- Symptom management
- Hospice care (if needed)
Part 4: How to Apply for VCCP
Step One: Talk to Your VA Primary Care Provider
VCCP is not something you apply for on your own. Your VA doctor must refer you. Start by making an appointment with your VA primary care provider.
Tell them: “I have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. I need specialized treatment that is not available at this VA. I would like to be referred to community care.”
Step Two: Your VA Doctor Submits a Referral
Your VA doctor will submit a referral through the VA’s Community Care system. The referral will include:
- Your diagnosis (mesothelioma)
- The specific service you need (surgery, chemotherapy, etc.)
- Why the local VA cannot provide that service
- Your preferred non-VA provider (if you have one)
Step Three: The VA Approves or Denies the Referral
The VA’s Community Care office will review your referral. They will check:
- Does the service meet VCCP criteria?
- Is the non-VA provider qualified?
- Is the non-VA provider’s cost reasonable?
Processing time: 7-14 days for routine referrals. Expedited for urgent care.
Step Four: You Schedule Your Appointment
Once your referral is approved, you will receive an authorization letter. The letter will include:
- The approved service (e.g., “oncology consultation”)
- The number of authorized visits
- The expiration date (usually 6-12 months)
Call the non-VA provider. Schedule your appointment. Tell them you are a VA Community Care patient. Give them your authorization number.
Step Five: The VA Pays the Bill
The non-VA provider bills the VA directly. You do not pay anything out of pocket for covered services. Your VA copays still apply (the same as if you received care at the VA).
Part 5: Choosing a Non-VA Provider
Can You Choose Any Doctor or Hospital?
Yes and no.
You can choose any Medicare-certified provider who is willing to accept VA Community Care patients. However, the VA may limit your choices if:
- The provider charges significantly more than other local providers
- The provider has a history of poor quality or patient complaints
- The provider is not accepting new patients
Finding a Mesothelioma Specialist Under VCCP
The best mesothelioma treatment centers in the country all accept VA Community Care patients. These include:
- MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas)
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston, Massachusetts)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, New York)
- Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota)
- UCLA Medical Center (Los Angeles, California)
- University of Texas Southwestern (Dallas, Texas)
- University of Chicago Medicine (Chicago, Illinois)
If you want to be treated at one of these centers, tell your VA doctor. They can include your preference in the referral.
What If Your Preferred Provider Is Not in the VA’s Network?
The VA has a large network of community providers. But not every doctor or hospital is in the network.
If your preferred provider is not in the network, you can ask them to join. The provider must:
- Be Medicare-certified
- Agree to the VA’s billing and quality requirements
- Complete a short application
Many mesothelioma specialists are willing to do this. Ask their billing office.
Part 6: What If Your VCCP Referral Is Denied?
Denials happen. Do not give up.
Common Reasons for Denial
- The VA believes the service is available at your local VA
- Your referral did not include enough medical justification
- The provider you chose is not in the VA’s network
- Your VA doctor did not submit the referral correctly
How to Appeal
Step One: Ask your VA doctor to resubmit the referral with more detailed justification.
Step Two: If that does not work, request a Clinical Review through the VA’s Community Care office. A senior doctor will review your case.
Step Three: If still denied, request a Patient Advocate from the VA. Every VA facility has a Patient Advocate whose job is to help veterans navigate the system.
Step Four: Contact your local Veterans Service Officer (VSO) . They can help you appeal.
Step Five: As a last resort, contact your Congressional representative . They can make inquiries on your behalf.
Part 7: Travel and Lodging for VCCP Appointments
Even with VCCP, you may need to travel to a specialized mesothelioma center. The VA can help with travel costs.
Beneficiary Travel Program
The VA’s Beneficiary Travel Program reimburses veterans for travel to VA-authorized care. This includes VCCP appointments at non-VA facilities.
What is covered:
- Mileage (at the federal rate, currently around $0.22 per mile)
- Tolls
- Parking fees
- In some cases, airfare, lodging, and meals
How to apply: File VA Form 10-3542 after your appointment. Keep your receipts.
Pre-Approval for Long-Distance Travel
If you need to travel more than 100 miles for treatment, you can request pre-approval. The VA may provide:
- Airfare or train tickets
- Hotel lodging
- Meal allowances
Talk to the VA’s Beneficiary Travel office before you travel.
Part 8: Combining VCCP with Other VA Benefits
VCCP and VA Disability Compensation
You can receive VCCP care and VA disability compensation at the same time. They are separate benefits. One does not affect the other.
VCCP and Aid and Attendance
If you receive Aid and Attendance, you can still use VCCP. The VA will pay for your transportation to appointments, including ambulance or non-emergency medical transport if needed.
VCCP and DIC for Surviving Spouses
If your loved one passed away from mesothelioma before receiving VCCP care, surviving spouses may be eligible for CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs). CHAMPVA is similar to VCCP but for survivors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a VCCP referral approved?
Routine referrals: 7-14 days. Urgent referrals: 2-3 days. Emergency care does not require pre-approval.
Can I go to the emergency room at my local hospital under VCCP?
Yes. If you have a medical emergency, go to the nearest emergency room. Tell them you are a VA patient. The VA will pay for emergency care under VCCP. Notify the VA within 72 hours.
What if my local VA hospital says they can treat my mesothelioma but I want to go to a specialist?
You have the right to a second opinion. If your VA doctor says they can treat you, you can still request a VCCP referral for a second opinion at a specialist center.
Does VCCP cover experimental treatments or clinical trials?
Sometimes. If the clinical trial is approved by the VA and the treatment is medically necessary, VCCP may cover it. Talk to your VA doctor.
What if my non-VA provider bills me directly?
Do not pay the bill. Call the VA’s Community Care office. They will contact the provider and arrange payment. If you already paid, you can file for reimbursement.
Can I use VCCP for hospice care?
Yes. If your local VA does not offer hospice care, you can receive hospice care at a local non-VA facility under VCCP.
Final Thoughts: You Deserve Care Close to Home
You served your country. You have mesothelioma. You need specialized treatment. You should not have to drive 300 miles or spend weeks away from your family to get it.
The Veterans Community Care Program exists for exactly this situation. It allows you to receive care from local doctors and hospitals when the VA cannot provide it. It pays for treatment at the best mesothelioma centers in the country. It covers travel and lodging when you need to go farther from home.
Do not let distance or inconvenience prevent you from getting the care you need. Talk to your VA doctor about VCCP today. Get the referral. Get the treatment. Get better.
You earned this.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP) for veterans with mesothelioma. It does not constitute legal advice or official VA guidance. VA benefits rules change. Every veteran’s situation is different. Always consult with qualified medical professionals and VA staff about your specific care needs. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, speak with a doctor immediately and contact your local VA to understand your treatment options, including VCCP.