The VA in 2015 has initiated a traveling Veterans program.   Traveling Veterans are Veterans who are enrolled in the VA Healthcare System and plan to spend extensive time away from their primary residence and preferred VA facility near their home.

Traveling Veteran Categories:

  • Veterans planning on traveling seasonally to a location away from their primary residence.
  • Veterans planning an extended trip away from their primary residence or preferred VA facility.
  • Veterans while on extended travel from home will need continuation of their medical care, medication refills, or prosthetic equipment.
  • Veterans who plan to seek medical care from a different VA facility away from their primary residence or preferred VA facility while traveling.

The VA medical facility closest to the Veteran’s primary residence is called the Veteran’s preferred facility.  The VA facility away from the Veteran’s home is known as the Veteran’s alternate VA facility.

The program is implemented via the Traveling Veteran Coordinators (TVC) located at VA Medical Centers.   The Traveling Coordinators replace the Referral Case Managers.  TVC’ must be a Registered Nurse, Physician Assistant, or Licensed Independent Practitioner.

The process begins when the Veteran notifies their Primary Care Practitioner (PCP) or the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) of the Veteran’s travel plans.  It is important to give as much advance notice of your departure date as possible.  The PCP or PACT will send a referral to the TVC.  The TVC will arrange for VA medical services at your alternate VA medical facility.

For more information on the Traveling Veteran Program, go to: http://helpdesk.vetsfirst.org/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=2737