What community care is
Sometimes the VA arranges for you to be seen by a provider in the community instead of at a VA facility. This is called community care, and the VA pays for it on your behalf. It can come into play when the VA cannot provide the care you need nearby, or when the drive or the wait would be too long.
The single most important thing to know: community care must be authorized by the VA before you receive it. The VA is explicit that care must be first authorized before you see a community provider, so booking a civilian provider on your own and expecting the VA to pay is the common, costly mistake.
When you might be eligible
The VA says community care is available based on certain conditions and your specific needs, and it is decided case by case. The VA lists examples of when it can apply, such as when you need a service the VA does not provide at any of its facilities, or when the VA cannot provide the service in a way that meets its standards.
Distance and wait time also factor in, but the exact drive-time and wait-time thresholds are set by the VA and can change, so we do not reprint them here. Check the VA's community care eligibility page for the current criteria, and let your VA team make the determination rather than assuming you qualify.
Who administers it in North Carolina
The company that administers the VA's community care network in North Carolina is in the middle of changing, so a contractor name you read in an older post may already be out of date. Rather than plan around a specific administrator, confirm who handles your care on the VA's community care page and ask your VA team directly when a referral comes up.
If you are weighing community care against driving to a VA facility, you can compare what is offered where using the VA Facility Locator before you decide. Our guide to finding a VA facility near Fort Bragg walks through that.
How the visit and the billing work
When the VA authorizes community care, it does not just send you off on your own. The VA issues a referral and authorization for the specific care, and the VA pays for that authorized care on your behalf. That is exactly why the authorization step matters so much: the authorization is what connects the care back to the VA and is the basis on which the VA covers it.
When you schedule, keep your referral details handy and confirm with the provider's office that they have the VA authorization on file before your visit. If you ever receive a bill you did not expect, your VA team is the right place to sort it out, since they manage the authorization.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just see any civilian doctor and have the VA pay?
No. Community care must be authorized by the VA first. Eligibility depends on factors like distance and wait time, and the decision is made through the VA, not by booking on your own.
Will I get a bill for community care?
For care the VA authorizes, the VA pays for the covered service on your behalf, which is part of why VA authorization has to come first. If you receive a bill you did not expect, contact your VA team, since they manage the authorization.
When am I eligible for community care?
It is decided case by case. The VA lists situations like needing a service it does not provide nearby, or not being able to meet its access standards. Confirm the current criteria on the VA's community care eligibility page and ask your VA team.
Who runs VA community care in North Carolina?
The administering network is mid-transition, so we do not name a contractor here. Confirm the current administrator and how it works on the VA's community care page, and ask your VA team.
How do I find a VA facility to compare against community care?
Use the VA Facility Locator and search your ZIP code to see locations and services near Fayetteville.
Sources
- Community care (VA.gov)· reviewed 2026-06-17
- Community Care for Veterans (VA.gov)· reviewed 2026-06-17
- Eligibility for community care outside VA (VA.gov)· reviewed 2026-06-17
- Find VA locations (VA.gov)· reviewed 2026-06-17
About our medical review process
This page was reviewed by Myra A. Jones BSN, RN, CCM, a registered nurse, as of June 18, 2026: checked for accuracy, for the safe handling of sensitive topics (including how crisis and mental-health resources are presented), and to confirm it stays general benefits-navigation information rather than medical advice, with each fact tied to an official source. ProviderQuoHealth’s guides are reviewed by licensed healthcare professionals before publication and re-checked when the content materially changes.
Important: Not Medical Advice
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you have about a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay seeking it, because of something you have read on ProviderQuoHealth. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
ProviderQuoHealth is an independent directory and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the U.S. Department of Defense. This page provides general information about navigating benefits only and is not medical, legal, or VA-benefits advice. Always confirm details on va.gov and with an accredited representative.