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Articles
PC3 Program
By USVCP Staff Writers
August 28, 2018
Did you know that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has a primary care program attached to services available to veterans through VA's Patient-Centered Community Care (PC3) contracts? It is a key and evolving part of the non-VA medical care program. Eligible Veterans are already able to access inpatient specialty care, outpatient specialty care, mental health care, limited emergency care and limited newborn care for female veterans following childbirth under PC3.
This modification supports VA's Accelerated Care Initiative, helping to move Veterans off of waitlists and into care. Additionally, reduced commuting standards will require that contracted providers schedule appointments closer to the Veterans' homes.
The initial PC3 contracts were awarded in September 2013 to Tri-West and HealthNet and have been used as part of the non-VA medical care program to purchase care in the community.
VA Medical Centers have the ability to purchase non-VA medical care for veterans through contracted medical providers when they cannot readily provide the needed care due to geographic inaccessibility or limited capacity. This additional option is available to purchase non-VA medical care when required veteran care services are unavailable within the VA medical facility, or when veterans benefit from receiving the needed care nearer to their homes. In addition, VA is reviewing better ways to utilize Veterans Choice through the program.
Through PC3, veterans can expect to receive high-quality health care that is coordinated with their VA providers.
