The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will launch its new and improved Community Care Program on June 6.

The rollout includes implementing portions of the VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks Act (MISSION Act) of 2018.

Robert Kling, the MISSION Act champion for Butler VA Health Care System, said the new act will replace outdated community care programs, as well as consolidate programs still useful for area veterans.

“The aim is to make it clear communication for the veteran and for the providers as to what they need to do for the veteran to receive care,” Kling said.

Under the new program, which replaces the Veterans Choice Program, veterans will now be able to work with their VA health care provider or other VA staff to determine if they are eligible for community-based care. This move opens the door for veterans to be able to receive care in the community, if they meet eligibility requirements. Veterans can also opt to continue receiving their care from the VA.

The aim of the VA MISSION Act is to strengthen the VA's ability to recruit and retain doctors, expand telehealth options between states, increase access to community care for veterans, and establish an urgent-care benefit that eligible veterans will be able to access in the community.

The Butler VA Health Care System dedicated the month of May to preparing its employees for the transition. The health care system serves about 25,000 veterans annually.

“We are honored to reaffirm our commitment to America's veterans,” said Butler VA Health Care System Director Jon Lasell. “Our staff is steadfast in providing health care that meets the needs of our veterans at the right time and place.”

The Butler VA Health Care System has also reached out to its community of veterans through town hall events, outpatient clinics and social media campaigns to tell them about the changes.

The outreach even includes a MISSION Act-focused radio show airing locally at 12:30 p.m. June 3.

“We understand any transformation of this size and on such a rapid timeline is not without risk,” said Lasell. “We are aiming for excellence in this effort, and we will continue to tweak and improve the process.

Kling said the MISSION Act is really about making health care and decisions about that care easier for the veterans the VA serves every day.

“I think the biggest thing is that it will be clearer to the veteran population — myself included — on what the options are to receive care,” Kling said.

Under the new Veterans Community Care Program, veterans can work with their VA health care provider or other VA staff to see if they are eligible to receive community care. Eligibility for community care does not require a veteran to receive that care in the community. Veterans can still choose to have the VA provide their health care.Veterans are eligible to choose to receive care in the community if they meet any of the following six eligibility criteria:- A veteran needs a service not available at any VA medical facility- A veteran lives in a U.S. state or territory without a full-service VA medical facility- A veteran qualifies under the “grandfather” provision related to distance eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program- The VA cannot furnish care in a manner that complies within certain designated access standards. These include: the average drive time to a specific VA medical facility is 30-minutes for primary care, mental health and noninstitutional extended care services, or 60-minutes for specialty care; and appointment wait time at a specific VA medical facility takes longer than 20 days for primary care, mental health care and noninstitutional extended care services, or 28 days for specialty care from the date of request- The veteran and the referring clinician agree it is in the best medical interest of the veteran to receive community care based on defined factors- The VA determines that a VA medical service line is not providing care in a manner that complies with its standards for quality.