VA CCN July 2025 Provider Pulse

Reminder: Do Not Schedule Veteran Care Without an Active VA Referral

To avoid potential issues with continued care or reimbursement, please do not schedule or deliver care to Veterans without first receiving a referral from VA.

Under VA’s Community Care Network (CCN), an active referral or authorization is required before services can be scheduled or provided. This process ensures that the care is eligible and approved, and that Veterans get the services they need through the appropriate processes.

Scheduling care without an active referral could result in a claim being denied, delays in treatment, or confusion in the care process for both you and the Veteran.

For more information, please visit the Approved Referrals and Authorizations page of the CCN Provider Handbook or the claims submission tips quick reference guide.

What to Include in All Prescriptions for Veterans

VA’s Community Care Network (CCN) covers routine, medically necessary medication as part of an authorized episode of care or on an urgent/emergent basis. These prescriptions must follow the VA National Formulary, which determines which medications are covered.

When submitting a prescription, VA requires that prescribing CCN providers include the following information:

• Provider’s Name (Family, Given, Middle Suffix) Provider Name Suffix (e.g., Sr., Jr., II. III.)
• Provider’s National Provider Identifier (NPI)
• Provider’s Tax ID Number (TIN)
• Provider’s personal DEA Number and expiration date (not a generic facility number)
• Provider’s office address
• Provider’s office phone and additional phone number
• Provider’s fax number (if applicable)
• Provider’s discipline (e.g., physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner)

For more information, refer to the Pharmacy Services and Durable Medical Equipment section of the CCN Provider Handbook and the Pharmacy/Medication Process Quick Reference Guide.

Import Alert Issued for Certain Olympus Medical Devices Manufactured in Japan

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has placed certain Olympus Medical Systems Corporation (Olympus) devices manufactured in Japan under alert due to noncompliance with quality system regulations. Consequently, these products may be detained at United States ports of entry without physical examination.

Affected devices include bronchoscopes, ureteroscopes, and cystoscopes.

If you use these Olympus devices, there may be potential disruptions to your supply chain.

FDA recommends you stay aware of their import alerts for certain medical devices manufactured in Japan by Olympus and its subsidiaries.

For more details, and a list of Olympus devices that may be affected, see the FDA’s letter to providers.

VA CCN Provider Handbook Updates

There are currently no updates to the CCN Provider Handbook.