VA Adds Online Emergency Care Notifications
Published Date: 7/10/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting August 10, 2026, veterans and their helpers can notify the VA about emergency care using a new easy online system, making it faster and simpler to get approval for treatment under the Veterans Community Care Program. This update keeps the old phone or in-person notification option too, so everyone can choose what works best. No extra costs for veterans, just smoother, quicker care approvals!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Web-based 72-hour emergency notice
Starting August 10, 2026, veterans, their representatives, and eligible entities or providers can notify VA of emergency care through a centralized web-based process for the 72-hour notice required to seek authorization under the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP). The centralized notification information is available at https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-emergency-care-at-non-va-facilities/ and is an additional option to the current nearest-VA-facility notice.
Phone/in-person notice retained
VA keeps the existing option to notify the appropriate VA official at the nearest VA facility within 72 hours of emergency care, so veterans and providers who prefer phone or in-person notice can continue using that method after August 10, 2026. This preserves access for veterans who may not use the centralized web process.
No added costs; small entities not harmed
VA determined this rule creates no costs or transfers and will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. VA designated the rule as deregulatory and stated it will not result in expenditures of $100 million or more in any one year.
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