If you are enrolled in VA Health Care and go to a community (non-VA) emergency room, the VA must be notified within 72 hours so your emergency care can be considered for coverage.
Notify the VA within 72 hours
Notify the VA within 72 hours of receiving emergency care, or upon admission, at a community (non-VA) hospital.
Centralized notification line: 844-724-7842
What changed
All 72-hour notifications and emergency hospital visit eligibility decisions are now processed through one centralized location — the Community Care Centralized Call Center. Authorizations for veterans who self-present for community emergency care are managed by the Centralized Authorized Emergency Care team.
VA facilities do not enter a community care emergency department consult for veterans who self-present to a community emergency room, and the Emergency Hospital Notification treatment note is not completed by VA staff.
Who can notify the VA
The VA prefers that the treating provider notify them, but if they do not, you — or someone acting on your behalf — can notify the VA instead. The notification must be received within 72 hours of when your emergency care starts.
In a mental health crisis?
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1 (or text 838255). In any life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Learn more
For full details and current eligibility requirements, the VA maintains an official guide:
Questions about emergency care coverage?
Our service officers can help you understand the process — at no cost.