VA Announces CCN Access Change Making it Easier for Veterans to See Non-VA Providers

PHOENIX (May 19, 2025) — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced a change to its Community Care Network (CCN) access that will make it easier for VA-enrolled Veterans to receive health care from non-VA providers in their community.

According to VA, the CCN access change will be implemented as directed by the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which was signed into law in January 2025.

The change will allow Veterans to access care in their communities upon referral from a VA provider without requiring review from a second VA provider. The change will give eligible Veterans faster access to CCN providers with VA absorbing the health care costs.

The change will allow Veterans to access care in their communities upon referral from a VA provider without requiring review from a second VA provider. The change will give eligible Veterans faster access to CCN providers with VA absorbing the health care costs.

In 2019, the MISSION Act authorized VA to provide enrolled Veterans access to CCN providers at VA’s expense when it is in the Veteran’s best medical interest. CCN access decisions have been made by Veterans and their referring VA provider but were not final until approved by a second VA physician.

Effective immediately, VA will remove the second review step and make it easier for Veterans to receive health care when and where it is most convenient to the Veteran, VA says.

Enrolled Veterans can learn more in this news release announcing VA’s CCN access change making it easier for Veterans to see providers in their communities.