VA Seeks New Community Care Contracts to Expand Choice and Improve Veteran Care

The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is laying the groundwork for a new generation of community care contracts designed to expand choice, strengthen oversight, and improve care quality for millions of veterans over the next decade, according to a news release by the VA.

The VA released a request for proposals (RFP) for updated community care contracts, a move prompted by the impending expiration of existing agreements with third-party administrators in 2026. Community care allows veterans to receive health services from non-VA providers at VA’s expense, which currently accounts for roughly 40% of all care delivered to veterans.

Community care has long been part of the VA system, dating back to World War II, but it was formally expanded in 2018 with passage of the bipartisan MISSION Act, which guaranteed veterans greater access to non-VA providers. That same year, VA entered into contracts with health plans to manage the program. With those contracts nearing their end, VA officials say a new approach is needed to ensure continuity and improvement of care.

Central to the new RFP is a shift to an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract structure. Under this model, multiple national and regional health plans will be able to compete to serve veterans, rather than relying on a limited number of administrators.

The proposed contracts also place a stronger emphasis on quality. Participating health plans will be required to meet broad, industry-standard measures of care used across major US health systems. Aligning community care with these standards is intended to ensure that veterans receive evidence-based treatment that directly addresses their medical conditions and supports long-term health outcomes.

Another major focus is oversight. The new contracts are designed to give VA improved access to real-time data, technology, and care management systems, enabling closer monitoring of veteran care and faster intervention when issues arise. The enhanced infrastructure will also support innovation and closer collaboration with contracted health plans.

Flexibility is a defining feature of the IDIQ model. VA will be able to issue multiple competitive task orders throughout the life of the contracts and adjust regions, requirements, or vendors as needed. Health plans that fail to meet performance expectations can be removed and replaced without disrupting veteran care.

“This RFP will result in contracts that dramatically improve our ability to provide quality health care while ensuring Veterans can choose the care that’s best for them,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins.

Reference

VA to improve health care choice and quality for veterans with new community care contracts. News release. US Department of Veterans Affairs. Published online December 15, 2025. Accessed January 16, 2026. https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-to-improve-health-care-choice-and-quality-for-veterans-with-new-community-care-contracts/