# 2026-02978: VA Ends Virtual Home Visits for Caregivers as COVID Rules Fade

2026-02978, Home Visits in Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers During COVID-19 National Emergency, is a Federal Register rule from Veterans Affairs Department published 2026-02-13, effective 2026-02-13; deemed significant under Executive Order 12866 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02978
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-02978
- Title: Home Visits in Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers During COVID-19 National Emergency
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Veterans Affairs Department
- Citation: 91 FR 6774
- Published: 2026-02-13
- Effective: 2026-02-13
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: yes (FR_METADATA)
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2900-AQ96
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

VA Ends Virtual Home Visits for Caregivers as COVID Rules Fade

## Summary

The VA is ending a temporary rule that let them do caregiver home visits online instead of in person during the COVID-19 emergency. This change affects veterans and their family caregivers in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers. Since the COVID-19 emergency is over, all home visits will now return to being in person starting February 13, 2026.

## Abstract

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is removing a regulation that was adopted to provide temporary flexibility under VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) but is no longer applicable. The regulation relaxed PCAFC requirements for in-person home visits during the national emergency related to Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). The removal of this regulation is appropriate because the national emergency related to COVID-19 (COVID- 19 National Emergency) has ended and the regulation has no effect.

## Effects PRIA read

- In-Person Home Visits Resume: mixed, low. If you are a veteran or family caregiver in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC), VA is ending the temporary rule that allowed home visits by videoconference or other telehealth. All PCAFC home visits will return to being conducted in person starting February 13, 20…

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## Sources
- [2026-02978 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/13/2026-02978/home-visits-in-program-of-comprehensive-assistance-for-family-caregivers-during-covid-19-national)
- [2026-02978 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-13/pdf/2026-02978.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-02978 (as of 2026-06-11).