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The VA Community Care Network

A Guide for Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry 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 care for our nation’s veterans. This guide is tailored for Behavioral Neurologists and Neuropsychiatrists who evaluate and treat veterans experiencing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes due to neurological conditions.

 

Whether you specialize in traumatic brain injury (TBI), dementia, or neurodegenerative disease, this guide provides a clear roadmap to enroll in the VA Community Care Network (CCN) and deliver care where it’s most needed.

Step-by-Step Enrollment in the VA CCN

Verify Your Credentials

  • Hold an active state medical license in neurology, psychiatry, or both.
  • Possess board certification in Neurology, Psychiatry, or both.
  • Provide fellowship training or documented experience in behavioral neurology or neuropsychiatry.

Prepare Required Documents

  • Updated CV
  • Valid state license and malpractice insurance
  • Completed W-9 form
  • Any additional neurobehavioral training or continuing education

Submit Your Application

Apply through the appropriate CCN regional portal:

Complete Required VA Training

  • VA HIPAA & Privacy Modules
  • Behavioral Health & Neurology-specific VA training

Visit: VA Provider Education & Training

Credentialing & Facility Review

  • VA or its contractors will verify your credentials.
  • If applicable, your clinic may be reviewed for compliance and accessibility.

Begin Care Delivery

Once contracted, you can begin receiving veteran referrals for neurobehavioral evaluation and treatment under approved care plans.

Why Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry Specialists Matter to Veterans

Veterans face increased risk of neuropsychiatric conditions due to factors such as blast injuries, concussions, toxic exposures, and prolonged operational stress. Your expertise in bridging the fields of neurology, psychiatry, and neuropsychology is essential for diagnosing and managing:

  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  • Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
  • Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders
  • Post-stroke behavioral changes
  • Cognitive symptoms of multiple sclerosis and other neurological illnesses
    As a Behavioral Neurologist or Neuropsychiatrist in the CCN, your role may include:
  • Conducting neurocognitive assessments
  • Managing behavioral and psychiatric symptoms secondary to neurological disease
  • Collaborating with interdisciplinary VA care teams
  • Participating in care plans for long-term cognitive and mental health recovery

Key Benefits of Joining the VA CCN

  • Serve a High-Need Population: Help veterans suffering from neurological trauma, cognitive decline, or complex comorbid conditions.

  • Collaborative Interdisciplinary Care: Work alongside VA neurologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and rehabilitation therapists.

  • Specialized Scope of Practice: Lead in diagnosis, medication management, and behavioral interventions tailored to neuropsychiatric needs.

  • Support for Advanced Diagnostics: Contribute to early detection and therapeutic innovation in TBI, Alzheimer’s, and related conditions.

  • Telehealth Access: Expand your reach with VA-supported tele-neuropsychiatry platforms for ongoing patient management.

Bridging the Gap for Veterans

Educational Support & Career Growth

  • Access VA-sponsored CME on brain injury, dementia care, and neuropsychiatric interventions.
  • Collaborate on research or case conferences with VA neurologists and mental health clinicians.
  • Explore opportunities for student loan forgiveness through federal service programs.
    Learn more at VA Education and Training

Transitioning from Military Service

  • Military neurologists or psychiatrists should consider converting military credentials and exploring expedited state licensure.
  • Emphasize deployment-related experience with neurotrauma, PTSD, and TBI in your application to enhance VA credentialing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I bill for both psychiatric and neurological services?

Yes, if you are dually certified and treating both aspects under an approved VA care plan.

Yes. These services are prioritized within the VA system and reimbursable with proper medical documentation.

Absolutely. Tele-neuropsychiatry is encouraged, especially for veterans in rural or underserved areas.

Yes. You’ll often coordinate with VA psychologists, neurologists, rehabilitation specialists, and case managers to ensure comprehensive care.

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.