VA COMMUNITY CARE RESTRUCTURING IN 2026: WILL VETERAN ACCESS CHANGE?
Community Care lets millions of Veterans access care outside VA facilities. Reports that the Department of Veterans Affairs would shrink Community Care from five regions to two raised immediate concern and confusion for Veterans nationwide.
The VA is not ending Community Care or removing Veterans from outside care. The change is in how the program is administered behind the scenes, a distinction that matters for those who rely on non-VA providers.
What the VA Actually Announced
On December 15, 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs released a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) for new Community Care contracts. These contracts, which outline requirements such as provider network standards, payment timelines, and administrative responsibilities, will determine how Community Care is managed for the next decade, replacing agreements that expire in 2026.
Community Care allows Veterans to receive care from non-VA medical providers at the VA’s expense when access standards or clinical needs require it. While the program has existed since World War II, it was formally expanded and protected under the bipartisan VA MISSION Act of 2018, which enshrined Veterans’ right to seek care outside the VA system under defined conditions.
Today, approximately 40 percent of all VA health care is delivered through Community Care, making it a core part of the VA health system rather than a supplemental option.
Why the VA Is Rebidding Community Care Contracts
The VA first awarded national Community Care contracts in 2018, hiring third-party administrators to manage provider networks, referrals, scheduling, and payment. Many of those contracts are now nearing expiration, prompting VA to rebid the program.
According to the VA, the new contracts are designed to prevent care disruptions, modernize oversight, and address long-standing challenges in accountability and performance tracking. In short, the VA is rebuilding the infrastructure that runs Community Care, not dismantling the benefit itself.
Understanding the Five Regions to Two Change
Much of the current anxiety comes from headlines about moving from five to two Community Care regions. This change is administrative, not about eligibility.
Historically, the VA divided Community Care into five geographic regions managed primarily by Optum and TriWest.
Under the proposed next-generation model, the VA plans to consolidate administration into two large networks, commonly described as East and West. This restructuring affects how contracts are competed and overseen, not who qualifies for care.
The VA has not announced changes to eligibility rules, referral requirements, access standards, or covered services as part of this shift.
What the VA Says Will Improve Under the New Contracts
The VA says new contracts will improve Community Care’s daily operations. Contracts employ an indefinite delivery and an indefinite quantity (IDIQ) structure.
This means multiple national and regional health plans can compete for task orders over time, and each contract specifies minimum and maximum quantities for services. The VA says this design increases marketplace competition, builds contractor accountability, and enables the VA to change contractors if performance falls below expectations.
Health plans must meet broad industry standards, which the VA says ensures modern, evidence-based care for Veterans. Sight is another central focus. The VA says the new contracts will provide real-time data, technology, and management tools to better track referrals, scheduling, and outcomes. This is designed to address issues that watchdog agencies have flagged for years, including inaccurate provider directories and delays in care coordination.
The contract structure also provides the VA with tools to enforce accountability, such as contractual clauses for corrective actions and the ability to off-ramp underperforming administrators.
Contractors that do not meet defined performance benchmarks can be replaced in accordance with the contract’s conditions, a process VA says will not disrupt care for Veterans.
What VA Leadership Is Saying
VA Secretary Doug Collins framed the changes as a response to lessons learned over time.
Collins said,
“VA has learned from the past. This RFP will create contracts to improve health care quality and maintain Veterans’ choice. It is not changing right now.”
Despite widespread concern, several key elements of Community Care are not changing at this time.
Eligibility is under the MISSION Act. Referral rules remain. Access standards for wait and drive times are unchanged. No reductions or eligibility changes have been announced. Those currently using Community Care do not need to take immediate action solely based on this announcement.
What Veterans Should Watch Closely in 2026
Stay informed, monitor VA updates, and report issues if they occur.
Even if the rules don’t change, contract execution still affects Veterans. Watch how existing authorizations, provider participation, and scheduling are managed during the transition.
The accuracy of provider directories will be another critical test. Past audits have shown that outdated or incorrect listings can delay care even when veterans qualify. Payment timelines for community providers will also matter, as reimbursement delays can quietly reduce available networks.
Whether restructuring improves access depends on transparency. Communication and measurable performance, not contract language, will decide its impact.
For Veterans using Community Care, 2026 is about the VA keeping its promise to improve outside care, not losing benefits.
FAQs About Community Care in 2026
Is the VA ending Community Care?
No. Community Care remains a core part of VA health care.
Is eligibility changing?
No changes to eligibility rules have been announced.
What does five regions to two mean?
It refers to how contracts are administered, not who qualifies for care.
When do current contracts expire?
Most existing Community Care contracts expire in 2026.
What is VA trying to improve?
Oversight, accountability, quality standards, and flexibility.
Should Veterans expect disruptions?
VA says continuity is a priority, though transitions may affect scheduling, participation, or authorizations. What should veterans do now?
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BY NATALIE OLIVERIO
Veteran & Senior Contributor, Military News at VeteranLife
Navy Veteran
Natalie Oliverio is a Navy Veteran, journalist, and entrepreneur whose reporting brings clarity, compassion, and credibility to stories that matter most to military families. With more than 100 published articles, she has become a trusted voice on defense policy, family life, and issues shaping the...
Credentials
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Natalie Oliverio is a Navy Veteran, journalist, and entrepreneur whose reporting brings clarity, compassion, and credibility to stories that matter most to military families. With more than 100 published articles, she has become a trusted voice on defense policy, family life, and issues shaping the...
