Home health for veterans in Jacksonville: how VA Community Care works

Northeast Florida is home to a lot of veterans, and many of them do not realize the VA can pay for skilled care in their own home. If you or a parent served and are recovering from a hospital stay, surgery, or a fall, VA Community Care may be the simplest way to get a nurse or therapist through the door. Here is how it works.

What VA Community Care is

Community Care is the VA program that pays for care from approved providers outside VA facilities. When the VA authorizes it, a veteran can receive care from a local provider like Access Home Health, and the VA pays for the services it approved.

For home health, that means skilled nursing, physical therapy, and occupational therapy delivered at home, on a schedule set by your plan of care.

Who is eligible

You generally need to be enrolled in VA health care, and the VA has to decide that community care is the right option for you. Common reasons include the VA not offering the service you need nearby, wait or drive time standards, or your VA provider deciding it is in your best medical interest.

Eligibility is decided by the VA, not by us, so the first step is always your VA care team.

What home health looks like for a veteran

Once the VA authorizes care, the visits look the same as they do for any of our patients. Depending on the authorization, that can include:

• A nurse for wound care, medication management, monitoring a heart or lung condition, or teaching after a new diagnosis.
• Physical and occupational therapy to rebuild strength and balance, prevent falls, and make everyday tasks like bathing and dressing safer.

We coordinate with your VA provider on the plan of care and send updates so everyone stays on the same page.

Getting the authorization

Home health through Community Care starts with a referral from your VA provider. The VA reviews it and, if it is approved, issues an authorization that spells out which services and how many visits are covered. You can tell your VA care team you would like Access Home Health, and we will work with the VA on the paperwork once the referral is in.

Questions to ask your VA care team

• Am I eligible for home health through Community Care?
• Can you send a referral to Access Home Health in Jacksonville?
• Which services will the authorization cover: nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or all three?
• Who should I call at the VA if my needs change or the authorization runs out?

What if I also have Medicare?

Many veterans have both VA benefits and Medicare. We accept both. For patients who qualify, Medicare covers home health visits at 100%, with no deductible or copay. We also accept Medicare Advantage plans, including HealthSpring, and private pay. If you are not sure which benefit to use, call us and we will help you sort it out.

How long care lasts

VA authorizations cover a set number of visits or a set period of time. If you still need care when it ends, more visits can be requested from the VA, and we will let you know ahead of time so there is no gap in care.

The fastest way to get started

Call 844-808-9096 and tell us about the veteran and what is going on. We can explain the process, help you know what to ask the VA, and start care as soon as the authorization comes through. VA staff and physicians can fax referrals to 904-638-8752.

This article is general information about the VA Community Care program as of 2026, not legal or medical advice. Eligibility and coverage decisions are made by the VA.