August 22, 2014

In response to the VA’s health care access crisis, and with recommendations from MOAA and other service groups, the VA announced it will now provide primary care through its recently-established nationwide Patient-Centered Community Care (PC3) contracts.    

Previously, the VA only provided primary care services within the walls of VA hospitals and clinics.     

Veterans’ access to PC3 (purchased care) services are based on referrals from the VA when a local facility is unable to see a veteran within a reasonable time (or does not offer the needed service).   

PC3 contracts now provide primary care, inpatient and outpatient specialty care, mental health care, some emergency care, and limited newborn care for enrolled female veterans after delivery.   

The addition of primary care to the PC3 contracts will help local VA Medical Centers reduce waiting times for a number of services by providing more flexibility in the referral system.   

The expansion of services provided through the PC3 contracts is not related to the establishment of veteran “Choice Cards” in the recently passed  Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014.