VA Announces Final Community Care Regulations under MISSION Act. On June 5, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced the publication of two final regulations as part of its new Veterans Community Care Program under the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks (MISSION) Act of 2018. One of the rules focuses on a new urgent care benefit. VA also published the final regulation for the Veterans Community Care Program governing how eligible Veterans receive necessary hospital care, medical services, and extended care services from non-VA entities or providers in the community. The new Veterans Community Care Program replaces the Veterans Choice Program, which expired June 6, 2019. Of note, the final rule addresses payment of higher rates to health care providers in highly rural areas. The term “highly rural area” means an area located in a county that has fewer than seven individuals residing in that county per square mile.
