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The VA Community Care Network

A Guide for Bipolar Disorder Specialists

In California, independent Physician Assistants (PAs) can bill the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for services provided to veterans, but it’s essential to understand the regulations surrounding this process.

 

Welcome to Veterans Desk, your trusted resource for connecting healthcare professionals with meaningful opportunities to serve our nation’s veterans. This guide is designed for psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and licensed mental health professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of Bipolar Disorder.

 

Whether you work in private practice, a group setting, or a telehealth model, this page provides everything you need to join the VA Community Care Network (CCN) and begin supporting veterans living with bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia, and other mood disorders.

Step-by-Step Enrollment in the VA CCN

Verify Your Credentials

  • Hold a valid state license in psychiatry, psychology, PMHNP, or another qualifying mental health discipline.
  • Provide board certification or proof of bipolar disorder-related continuing education.
  • Veterans transitioning to civilian care should submit DD214 documentation.

Prepare Required Documents

  • Copy of active license, malpractice insurance, and DEA certificate (if applicable)
  • Updated CV/resume and completed W-9 form.
  • Documentation of experience treating bipolar or related mood disorders

Submit Your Application

Use the appropriate regional portal:

Complete Mandatory Training

Training topics may include:

  • VA documentation and HIPAA
  • Evidence-based bipolar disorder treatment planning
  • Use of secure VA systems for telehealth and communication
    Visit the VA Provider Training Portal for course access.

Credentialing & Facility Review

  • Your license, background, and qualifications will be verified
  • If applying as a facility or clinic, you may undergo a site inspection.

Final Contract & Start of Services

  • Receive your contract outlining reimbursement terms.
  • Begin seeing referred veterans for bipolar-focused care in person or via telehealth.
VA CCN Enrollment Page
Join the Network – TriWest

Why Bipolar Disorder Specialists Matter to Veterans

Veterans with bipolar disorder face higher risks of hospitalization, unemployment, suicide, and co-occurring substance use disorders. Timely and evidence-based care—including accurate diagnosis, medication management, and psychotherapy—is essential to help veterans stabilize mood episodes and improve overall well-being.

As a bipolar disorder specialist, your role in the VA CCN includes:

  • Providing differential diagnosis and treatment of bipolar spectrum disorders
  • Managing medications, including mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and adjunctive therapies
  • Offering psychotherapy services such as CBT, DBT, and psychoeducation
  • Coordinating with VA case managers, peer support, and family systems

Key Benefits of Joining the VA CCN

  • Serve a Unique Population: Help veterans manage complex mood disorders and reintegrate into civilian life with improved mental health stability.

  • Streamlined Reimbursement: Work with simplified billing protocols through the VA, reducing administrative burden.

  • Collaborative Care Environment: Engage in team-based care with VA psychiatrists, social workers, and primary care providers.

  • Professional Impact: Make a measurable difference in preventing hospitalizations, relapses, and suicidality in a high-risk population.

  • Access to Training & CME: Leverage VA-supported learning opportunities for bipolar treatment in military and veteran populations.

Bridging the Gap for Veterans

Educational Support & Career Growth

  • Attend VA-sponsored CME courses focused on mood disorders and suicide prevention.
  • Apply for federal student loan forgiveness programs if eligible.
  • Join VA collaborative learning communities focused on SMI (serious mental illness) management.

Transitioning from Military Service

  • Military psychiatrists, psychologists, or PMHNPs should explore expedited licensing options in their state.
  • Emphasize deployment-related experience with bipolar disorder, trauma, or comorbid mental health conditions when applying.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I manage bipolar disorder medications through VA CCN?

Yes. If you are a prescribing provider (e.g., MD/DO/PMHNP) with an active DEA license, you can manage mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and other psychiatric medications.

Yes. Evidence-based therapies for bipolar disorder—including CBT, DBT, and family therapy—are reimbursed when pre-authorized.

Yes. The VA strongly supports telehealth for mental health, especially for veterans in underserved or rural areas.

No. While this guide is focused on bipolar care, you may also be referred to veterans with depression, PTSD, and other co-occurring conditions as appropriate.

HIPAA Compliance Disclaimer

Veterans Desk is not a HIPAA-covered entity under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and is not subject to HIPAA privacy or security requirements. We do not collect, store, or transmit Protected Health Information (PHI) on behalf of veterans, healthcare providers, or any other party.

Our platform operates solely as an informational and networking resource. We offer membership access to a publicly viewable directory of VA Community Care Network (CCN) providers, along with educational links and resources. We do not provide direct medical referrals, coordinate patient care, or act as an intermediary between veterans and healthcare providers in any clinical capacity.

All communications, medical information, or personal data exchanged between a veteran and a provider occur outside of Veterans Desk and at the sole discretion and responsibility of the parties involved. Veterans Desk does not monitor, manage, or store these exchanges.

By using this site, you acknowledge and agree that:

  1. Veterans Desk is not your healthcare provider or representative.

     

  2. Veterans Desk does not give medical advice, make treatment recommendations, or guarantee provider performance.

     

  3. Any medical or personal information you choose to share with a provider is done independently and outside our control.

     

If you require medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, please contact a licensed healthcare provider directly or use your VA-approved care coordination channels.

No Medical Advice

All content provided by Veterans Desk, including but not limited to articles, guides, directory listings, and linked resources, is for informational and educational purposes only. Veterans Desk does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and nothing on this site should be interpreted as such.

Use of this website does not create a patient–provider relationship between you and Veterans Desk, its staff, or any healthcare provider listed on the site. We strongly encourage all veterans and users to consult directly with a licensed healthcare professional or their VA-approved care coordinator before making any decisions related to their health, treatments, or medical care.

Veterans Desk makes no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of any information provided. Reliance on any information found on this site is solely at your own risk.