VA Palo Alto Health Care System

Office of Community Care

What is Community Care?

VA provides care to Veterans through community providers when VA cannot provide the care needed. Community care is based on specific eligibility requirements, availability of VA care, and the needs and circumstances of individual Veterans. All non-emergent community appointments must be preauthorized for VA pay. For more information, please visit the VA Community Care website.

Community Emergency Care

Please notify VA within 72 hours of receiving emergency care or upon admission at a community (non-VA) hospital by calling 844-72HRVHA or 844-724-7842. For additional information, please refer to the Emergency Care Frequently Asked Questions.

Community Urgent Care

VA’s urgent care benefit is available to treat minor injuries and illnesses that are not life-threatening, such as colds, strep throat, sprained muscles, and skin and ear infections. No prior approval is needed. However, you must go to an in-network urgent care provider. View the most-up-to-date list of urgent care providers.

For community care questions, please call 650-617-2732, or email through “secure messaging” at MyHealtheVet (select Community Care).