Get Care in the Community
Behavioral Health Scheduling Process
Care when you need it! Scheduling an appointment with a Behavioral Health provider? Consider following the steps below to optimize your experience:
- Ensure you are enrolled in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System, and that you are registered with your local VA Medical Center (VAMC).
- Schedule an appointment to see your VA primary care provider.
- Wait for TriWest or VA to contact you, typically within 3-5 business days, with a phone call or letter to authorize your care. It is extremely important that you respond to the call or letter as soon as possible.
- Choose between a telehealth appointment or an in-office visit.
- Once your appointment has been scheduled, you will receive detailed appointment information, including what to expect during your visit. If you have any questions, please contact your VA health care provider.
Note that you do not need a referral/authorization for urgent care or emergency care. We’re pleased that you are reaching out to receive the care you need and deserve.
Telehealth Appointments for Behavioral Health Care
Telehealth appointments for Behavioral Health care offer eligible Veterans care from a provider from the comfort of their own homes via videoconferencing consultations.
At TriWest, our network of Behavioral Health providers is carefully assessed in order to provide you with the best health care for your needs.
To take advantage of a telehealth Behavioral Health appointment, follow the steps below:
- Ensure you are enrolled in the VA Health Care System, and that you are registered with your local VAMC.
- Schedule an appointment to see your VA primary care provider.
- Request that your provider send a Behavioral Health referral/authorization for care to VA.
- Wait for TriWest to contact you within 3-5 business days.
- Choose the telehealth Behavioral Health option. Wait for TriWest or VA to contact you, typically within 3-5 business days, to authorize your care.
- Once your telehealth appointment is scheduled, you will receive information, including what to expect during your telehealth visit, and how to access the platform you’ll use for your remote.
If you have any questions or concerns prior to your appointment, please contact your VA health care provider.
Telehealth appointments are a convenient option to meet your Behavioral Health care needs.
Urgent Care
A Veteran can self-present to a TriWest network urgent care or retail location clinic. The clinic needs to confirm the Veteran’s eligibility with date of birth and Social Security number information. Find an urgent care and/or retail location clinic.
VA defines urgent care as the treatment of non-emergent symptoms needing immediate attention, such as flu-like symptoms, strep throat, minor burns, pink-eye, or ear and skin infections. The Urgent Care/Retail Location benefit is not intended to cover routine primary care or preventive screening services, but may provide flu vaccines when indicated.
COMPACT Act Expands Coverage for Acute Suicidal Crisis Care for Veterans
As a result of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care, and Treatment Act of 2020, otherwise known as the Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020, Veteran coverage for acute suicidal crisis care has expanded. Emergent suicide care for eligible Veterans in acute suicidal crisis at a VA or non-VA facility is a covered benefit. This means that Veterans meeting certain eligibility criteria are eligible for urgent care or emergent care if in an acute suicidal crisis. Visit the VA’s Emergency Medical Care web page to learn more about this important new benefit and eligibility for Veterans.