How Do I Find a VA Primary Care Provider

Far too many Americans are putting off their overall health care. Did you know that more than 100 million Americans do not have a primary care provider (PCP)? This means that they are less likely to follow up with specialists, stay current with vaccinations, and focus on a healthy lifestyle.

For America’s veterans, primary care is too important to ignore. They face shorter life expectancies than the average person. For example, female veterans have a life expectancy of just 63 years old.

Read on to learn how to find a family doctor in Missouri. Explore topics such as tips for finding a doctor and how to use VA benefits.

What Is the Mission Act?

Many veterans are under the impression that they need to receive medical care at a Veterans Affairs (VA) facility. While this was true for decades, the passing of the Mission Act in 2018 changed everything.

Veterans can now seek approval to see non-VA doctors. There are a number of eligibility criteria that veterans need to meet before receiving approval.

For example, veterans can seek outside care if their VA facility does not provide a particular service. For female veterans, two examples are maternity care and IVF.

There are also provisions for driving distance and waiting time. If a veteran needs to wait more than 20 days for a visit with VA providers, they can seek outside care. Also, veterans do not need to drive for more than 30 minutes for an appointment.

How to Find Private Doctors for Veterans

Once you receive approval to receive care outside the VA system, it is time to find a doctor. Selecting the right doctor is crucial for your health.

There are common attributes to look for when searching for a doctor. Continue reading for a brief description of each characteristic.

Positive Reputation

A consistent reputation for delivering quality care is critical. Word of mouth is one way to see if a provider has a positive reputation.

The internet is also a powerful tool for validating a friend or family member’s referral. You can read patient reviews on Google or social media. Here, you can learn from other patients’ experiences and avoid facilities with too many poor reviews.

Health Insurance

As a veteran, you do not have private health insurance. Instead, your care falls to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

You cannot just show up at any doctor’s office and expect to receive care. Instead, you need to verify that the healthcare organization takes payment from the VA.

Proper Services

Lastly, you need to verify that the doctors provide the services you are looking for. It is important to set medical goals that you are looking to achieve when seeing a primary doctor.

Some want to reduce their cholesterol while others need to monitor diabetes. Regardless of your medical goal, make sure that this medical provider offers what you need.

Your Guide to Finding a Primary Care Provider

You are now ready to find a PCP in Missouri. There are some important steps like verifying they have a positive reputation and offering the services you are looking for.

If you are looking for a primary care doctor in Missouri, contact us today to schedule an appointment.