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The VA Community Care Network

A Guide for Ambulance & Transportation Providers (Land, Water, Air)

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 dedicated healthcare professionals with opportunities to serve our nation’s veterans. This guide is tailored for cardiologists who specialize in advanced heart failure and transplant care. Whether you manage end-stage heart failure, ventricular assist devices (VADs), or heart transplant referrals, this page provides everything you need to enroll in the VA Community Care Network (CCN).

Step-by-Step Enrollment in the VA CCN

Verify Your Credentials

  • Maintain all required state licenses and operational permits for EMS, ambulance, or NEMT services.
  • Ensure your vehicles and personnel meet applicable certification and safety standards.
  • Include FAA authorization for air transport providers if applicable.

Prepare Required Documents

  • State and federal vehicle registrations and licenses.
  • Proof of insurance coverage (liability and auto).
  • Valid W-9 form for payment processing.
  • Company contact information, service areas, and billing structure.
  • Licenses and certifications for EMTs, paramedics, or transport staff.

Submit Your Application

Apply through the appropriate regional network:

  • Optum VA Community Care Network (Regions 1–3)
  • TriWest Healthcare Alliance (Regions 4–5)

Complete Mandatory Training

Required VA training may include:

  • HIPAA compliance and privacy standards.
  • VA-specific transport documentation protocols.
  • Emergency preparedness and patient safety.

Visit the VHA TRAIN portal to complete available courses

Credentialing & Inspection

  • VA will review your operational documents and fleet safety records.
  • Site or vehicle inspections may be required to verify compliance with VA standards.
  • Staff background checks may also be conducted.

Receive and Sign Your Provider Agreement

  • You will receive a formal contract outlining service rates, documentation requirements, and scheduling expectations.
  • Once finalized, you can begin transporting VA-authorized patients under CCN

VA CCN Enrollment Page
Join the Network – TriWest

Why Ambulance & Transportation Services Matter to Veterans

Reliable transportation is essential for ensuring that veterans, especially those in rural or medically underserved areas, can access timely and appropriate care. Transportation services, including Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS), non-emergency medical transport (NEMT), and air ambulance, play a vital role in bridging care gaps across the VA healthcare system.

As a transportation provider in the VA CCN, your role includes:

  • Providing emergency and non-emergency transport for scheduled appointments and urgent care needs.
  • Supporting inter-facility transfers between VA and non-VA medical facilities.
  • Offering air or specialty transport services when medically necessary.
  • Assisting with mobility-impaired or high-risk veteran populations.

 

Key Benefits of Joining the VA CCN

  • Expanded Service Reach: Serve veterans across a broader geographic area, including rural and remote communities.

  • Streamlined Reimbursement: Benefit from standardized claims and billing processes with reliable turnaround times.

  • Direct Veteran Support: Work within VA-approved protocols for medically necessary transport.

  • Access to VA Scheduling Tools: Coordinate NEMT services efficiently through VA scheduling and dispatch platforms.
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Bridging the Gap for Veterans

Operational Support & Opportunities for Growth

  • Collaborate with VA facilities and third-party administrators for high-priority or recurring transport needs.

  • Build referral relationships for inter-facility transfers, dialysis transport, or air-medical evacuation.

  • Expand your service profile to include specialized veteran populations (e.g., bariatric, behavioral health).
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Transitioning from Military Service

  • Military EMS or transport personnel can convert training credentials to civilian equivalents via recognized pathways.

  • Veteran-owned transportation businesses are encouraged to apply under VA’s VOSB or SDVOSB certification programs through VetBiz.

  • Highlight any military transport logistics, flight, or medevac experience in your application.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are non-emergency transports covered by VA?

Yes, if the transport is medically justified and scheduled through a VA facility, Optum, or TriWest. Pre-authorization is typically required.

 Yes. These transports are reimbursed when proper authorization and documentation are in place.

Yes, for emergency or critical care air transports that meet authorization criteria. Coordination with VA and documentation of medical necessity is required.

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.