How to Change VA Facilities

[Doc8482M8404]

How can you change facilities without moving? 

Or how can you become permanently Choiced out to the community?

 

[broncovet]

Go to the facility you wish to attend, and make an appointment or call them on the phone.  You may/may not (probably not) get travel pay to the new, further away facility.  

No, you are not likely going to be "choiced out" to the community.  VA is cheap, and they dont want to pay for your health care unless they have to, that is, if you are over 30 miles from the nearest VA.  They expect you to go to the nearest facility, and, if you want to drive further to a different one, you can do that but dont expect VA to pay travel pay.  

To accomplish a more permanent change of VAMC (after you are sure you want to do this), tell your prime care doc in the new facility you would like your records moved there.  I dont recommend you move your records until you are sure you want to change.  Chances are good most of the problems at VAMC facility "A" are no better than facility "B", with some exceptions.  The grass isnt always greener on the other side, once you "get up closer".