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The VA Community Care Network
A Guide for Geriatric Medicine Providers
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 compassionate healthcare professionals with opportunities to serve our nation’s aging veterans. This guide is designed for board-certified geriatricians who specialize in managing complex medical, cognitive, and social needs among older adults.
Whether you practice in outpatient settings, long-term care, or home-based primary care, this guide will help you successfully enroll in the VA Community Care Network (CCN).
Step-by-Step Enrollment in the VA CCN
Verify Your Credentials
To be eligible, you must:
- Hold board certification in Internal Medicine or Family Medicine
- Possess a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Geriatrics (ABIM, ABFM, or AOA)
- Maintain an active state medical license
Prepare Required Documentation
Before applying, gather:
- State medical license
- Board certification and CAQ in Geriatrics
- Proof of malpractice insurance
- W-9 form
- Curriculum Vitae r resume
- Preferred: documentation of long-term care, HBPC, or palliative experience
Submit Your Application
Complete Required Training
After applying, complete any required onboarding modules, which may include:
- Geriatrics in VA care settings
- Suicide prevention and elder abuse identification
- VA HIPAA compliance and data security
Training is available through the VA Provider Training Portal
Credentialing & Practice Review
Your credentials will be verified through the CCN’s credentialing body. This may include:
- Background checks
- Review of board certifications and licensure
Confirmation of geriatric care experience or facility capabilities (e.g., HBPC, LTC access)
Receive Final Contract & Begin Services
Once credentialed, you’ll receive a formal participation agreement outlining your reimbursement structure and service expectations. You may then begin seeing veterans as a CCN provider.
Why Geriatric Medicine Matters to Veterans
Nearly half of U.S. veterans are over the age of 65. Many face multiple chronic conditions, frailty, cognitive decline, and social isolation. Geriatricians bring a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that improves quality of life and helps older veterans remain as independent as possible.
As a geriatric provider in the VA CCN, your role may include:
- Diagnosing and managing dementia, delirium, and functional decline
- Reviewing polypharmacy risks and deprescribing when appropriate
- Assessing fall risk, mobility, and care preferences
- Coordinating across primary care, mental health, palliative, and social services
Key Benefits of Joining the VA CCN
- Deliver Whole-Person Care: Provide compassionate, evidence-based care in clinic, long-term care, or home settings
- Team-Based Collaboration: Partner with VA’s Geriatrics and Extended Care programs, rehab, social work, and hospice services
- Reimbursed Services: Receive reimbursement for geriatric assessments, advance care planning, dementia evaluations, and more
- Improve Veterans’ Lives: Help older veterans age with dignity, independence, and coordinated support
Bridging the Gap for Veterans
Education Support & Career Development
Geriatricians and related providers may benefit from VA-sponsored education and training opportunities, including:
- GI Bill® – For medical education, geriatric fellowships, or public health
- Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) – For transitioning veterans entering geriatrics or long-term care
- Yellow Ribbon Program – Graduate tuition support
- Tuition Top-Up – Covers gaps in educational expenses
Learn more at: VA Education and Training
Transitioning from Military Service
Are you a former military provider transitioning to civilian healthcare?
- Military physicians, including those trained in internal medicine, geriatrics, or palliative care, should convert military credentials and explore expedited licensing pathways available in many states.
- Be sure to highlight deployment-related clinical experience, including work with aging service members, chronic illness management, or elder care.
- Document any training related to end-of-life care, behavioral health, or case management in your application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are cognitive assessments and dementia evaluations covered?
Yes. Memory screenings, functional assessments, and care planning for dementia are reimbursable when approved through VA CCN.
Can I provide services in long-term care or at home?
Yes. Geriatricians may participate in Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC), nursing home rounds, and home health coordination, depending on your region and setup.
Is telehealth available for geriatric care?
Yes. Telehealth is approved for geriatric visits that involve chronic condition management, medication reviews, and caregiver support—with prior VA authorization.