What Is VA Community Care, and why It Matters?

New Chapter in VA Healthcare: What Is VA Community Care, and why it Matters

With the passing of the Elizabeth Dole Act, we are entering an unprecedented period of access of local healthcare options to veterans. Having worked within VA Community Care, I’ve seen firsthand how this program can bridge the gaps in veteran healthcare. Community Care isn’t just a term you’ve heard in passing—it’s a transformative approach to delivering care that meets veterans where they are. Let’s explore why this matters now more than ever.

The Fundamentals: What Is VA Community Care?

Community Care is all about giving veterans options. It’s a program allowing eligible veterans to access medical services outside traditional VA facilities. Think of it as a way to bring healthcare closer to home—reducing travel and wait times while providing quality care through local hospitals and providers.

This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about recognizing that the VA system, while crucial, can’t meet every need on its own.

Why Now? Key Legislative Changes

Legislative changes—like the Dole Act, MISSION Act, PACT Act, and COMPACT Act—are reshaping how veterans access healthcare. These laws work together to expand eligibility, simplify processes, and bring care closer to veterans’ homes. For instance, the MISSION Act makes it easier for veterans to access non-VA care, while the Dole Act ensures smoother coordination with local providers. These shifts are creating a more accessible and responsive system that is not only continuing but accelerating.

The Bigger Picture: Why VA Community Care Matters

Filling the Gaps

The VA plays a vital role, but it can’t do it all. Community Care steps in by:

  • Bringing care closer to veterans’ homes.

  • Reducing the time it takes to get care.

  • Providing specialized services that might not be available through the VA.

Reaching More Veterans

Many veterans are eligible for VA healthcare but aren’t enrolled. Community Care creates opportunities to connect with this population, offering them services they might not have considered.

Military Cultural Understanding

Veterans have unique healthcare needs. Providers who invest in understanding military culture—from PTSD to service-related exposures—can build trust and improve outcomes. Plus, veterans will tend to doubt communications that seem inauthentic to the military experience with inaccurate language or imagery.

The Provider Perspective: Benefits of Community Care for healthcare providers, participating in Community Care is both impactful and practical:

  • Reliable Payments: The VA’s reimbursement rates are competitive, ensuring financial sustainability.

  • New Patient Populations: Serving veterans can help providers grow their practices and make a meaningful difference.

  • Community Leadership: Supporting veterans enhances a provider’s reputation and strengthens ties within the community.

The Future of Community Care: Community Care is here to stay. For it to continue thriving, we need to focus on:

  • Building Trust: Veterans should feel confident in the care they receive outside the VA.

  • Provider Training: Equipping providers with the knowledge to serve veterans effectively is essential.

  • Integrated Technology: Seamless communication between VA and community systems ensures continuity of care.

A Real-World Example: Helping Veterans Access Benefits They Deserve

Let me share a story that truly shows the power of making benefits easier to access. MetLife, a leading provider of insurance, is one of the private companies offering dental coverage through the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). This program is open to military retirees and their families, including those with TRICARE insurance. But here’s the surprising part: even though millions of retirees were eligible, many didn’t know they had access to this benefit.

That’s where MARCH Marketing came in. We knew this wasn’t just about promoting a dental plan—it was about reaching military retirees in a way that felt clear, personal, and supportive. Many retirees were juggling complex healthcare decisions, and we wanted to make it as simple as possible for them to connect with a benefit they’d earned.

We launched a targeted campaign to reach the 2.3 million eligible TRICARE retirees. Through a strategic combination of email outreach, social media, digital ads, and direct engagement, the campaign shared one straightforward message: “We’re here to help you get the care you deserve.” And the results were remarkable. We helped meet MetLife’s enrollment goals for both VADIP and FEDVIP, and the outreach plan resulted in a 30+% increase in enrollment, demonstrating the success of this personalized approach.

For many retirees, it was a game changer. One retiree shared, “I had no idea this was available to me. Enrolling has been such a relief—it’s one less thing I have to worry about.” And that’s the heart of it: this campaign wasn’t just about enrolling veterans in a dental plan—it was about giving them access to care that directly impacts their health and well-being.

For MetLife, the campaign delivered more than increased enrollments. It reinforced their commitment to military retirees, strengthened their reputation as a trusted partner in the veteran community, and positioned them as a leader in delivering meaningful, accessible benefits.

This is what makes VA Community Care so important: it breaks down barriers, simplifies access, and reminds veterans that their service is honored. Whether it’s a dental plan, medical care, or any other service, the goal is the same—helping veterans live healthier, happier lives.

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About MARCH

MARCH Marketing, LLC is an integrated marketing communications firm specializing in delivering solutions to military, government, healthcare, education, non-profit and commercial organizations. MARCH’s key service offerings include digital and traditional advertising, social media, public relations, call center operations, and more. Founded by military veterans with big agency and media company experience, MARCH is a VA-certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small business (SDVOSB) that serves national brands, government, non-profit, and educational institutions in the United States. Learn more at MARCHCorp.com.

Don’t miss your chance to transform veteran care while growing your business. Partner with MARCH Marketing to seize the opportunities presented by the VCCP.