--- title: "Veteran Patient Care" description: "NCODA resources and education to support quality, patient-centered cancer care for Veterans—inside the VA or in community oncology settings." canonical: "/veteran-patient-care" published: 2026-11-06 --- # Veteran Patient Care ## 01 Hero 4 New practice tools 15 Advisory council members 20+ VA access & oncology links Live Webinars & PQI Podcast NCODA VETERANS HUB Honoring service. Advancing cancer care. Education, practical tools, and trusted VA resources to help oncology care teams deliver accessible, patient-centered cancer care for veterans and their loved ones—inside the VA or in the community. **EXPLORE NEW TOOLS** **MEET THE COUNCIL** ## 02 Supporting Partners THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTING PARTNERS ## 03 Jump Navigation (sticky) [Advisory Council](widget_rus2FyHqK) [VA Access Resources](widget_VC3_bl_kb) [Education](widget_GJgiUsZhd) [Recognition](widget_x5df0f7HU) [New Tools](widget_F9rPIKhT3) Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, press 1 ## 04 Why Veteran-Centered Care Exposure-related cancers Toxic and environmental exposures during service are linked to higher rates of certain cancers. The PACT Act expanded care and benefits for many exposed veterans. COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR VETERANS Service shapes the cancer journey. Whole-person needs Coexisting conditions such as PTSD, along with family and caregiver needs, shape treatment planning and support. Military service can have lasting physical and emotional effects that influence how veterans are diagnosed and treated. Whether care happens inside the VA or in community oncology, coordinated teams make the difference. Access & coordination Referral, authorization, records, and billing must work across the VA and community care to keep treatment timely. ## 05 Featured Tools **New Tools Anchor** NEW FROM NCODA · FEATURED TOOLS Practical tools for VA Community Care Developed with support from NCODA members to help practices coordinate timely care for veterans treated outside the VA system. NEW RESOURCE Veteran Community Care Workflow Checklist Support coordination across the oncology care team with a step-by-step checklist spanning referral intake, authorization validation, medical records, treatment and medication workflows, communication with the VA, billing, and transition of care. NEW RESOURCE VA Community Care Referral and Authorization Checklist Help your practice collect essential information, confirm VA Community Care referral and authorization status, and support timely coordination of care for veterans receiving treatment outside the VA system. **DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST** **DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST** ## 06 Veteran Oncology Care Advisory Council **Advisory Council Anchor** INTRODUCING Veteran Oncology Care Advisory Council 15 MEMBERS. A SHARED COMMITMENT. 5 Pharmacists NCODA’s Veteran Oncology Care Advisory Council brings together 15 members with healthcare and veteran advocacy expertise to help guide the development of resources and initiatives that support improved care for veterans with cancer. 3 APPs 4 Nurses 2 Pharmacy Technicians 1 Veteran Advocacy Group Partner PHARMACIST PHARMACIST PHARMACIST Jennifer Tovar-Jacob Torrea Harris Brian Meger PharmD PharmD, MS PharmD Captain, U.S. Air Force · Clinical Pharmacist – Outpatient; Director of Healthcare Quality & Compliance Oncology Infusion Pharmacist Pharmacy Services Manager Central Virginia VA Health Care System Minnesota Oncology VA Non-VA Active Duty Maplewood, MN VA Richmond, VA Barksdale AFB · U.S. Air Force Specialty Pharmacy Shreveport, LA PHARMACIST PHARMACIST APP David Borrone Lindsey Jung Laveena Meriga RPh PharmD, MPH, BCOP DNP, AGACNP-BC, APRN Oral Oncology Specialty Pharmacist Hematology/Oncology Clinical Pharmacist Hospitalist APRN; Adjunct Professor, University of South Florida College of Nursing VA Non-VA Non-VA AtlantiCare Cancer Care Institute John Muir Health VA James A. Haley Tampa VA Hospital Walnut Creek, CA Egg Harbor Township, NJ Tampa, FL APP APP NURSE Lisa Netkow Christin Lissmann Ryan Blackmon MSN, AGNP-C, OCN APNP BSN, RN Chemo Infusion Nurse Oncology Nurse Practitioner Hematology/Oncology APP William S. Middleton VA Medical Center ProHealth Care, Inc. Mayo Clinic VA Non-VA Non-VA Waukesha, WI Jacksonville, FL Veteran Madison, WI NURSE NURSE NURSE Jessica Garris Donna Gallenstein Heather M. Edwards BSN, RN, OCN BSN, RN, GERO-BC MSN, RN, OCN Oncology Nurse Navigator Nurse Navigator Nursing Professional Development Ascension Seton Moffitt Cancer Center Non-VA Non-VA VA Kansas City VA Medical Center Austin, TX Tampa, FL Kansas City, MO PHARMACY TECHNICIAN PHARMACY TECHNICIAN VETERAN ADVOCACY PARTNER Demetria Streeter David B. Johnson Alex Balbir CPhT CPhT-Adv, CSPT, BCHCPT PhD, MBA Lead Oncology Infusion Pharmacy Technician Oncology Infusion Pharmacy Technician Director, Complex Case Coordination Advocacy Partner VA Non-VA Mount Sinai Hospital Richmond VA Medical Center Wounded Warrior Project New York, NY Richmond, VA Jacksonville, FL ## 07 VA Access & Oncology Resources **VA Access Resources Anchor** VA RESOURCES VA access & oncology resources [NCODA Veteran Care Resource Sheet](https://ncoda90f71ba7b4.blob.core.windows.net/blobncoda90f71ba7b4/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Veteran-Care-Resource-Sheet.pdf) VA contacts, claims & billing support, provider training (PDF) Current VA links for referrals, authorizations, claims, oncology programs, and veteran support—organized for busy care teams. Referrals & Authorizations Networks, Claims & Pharmacy For community providers coordinating VA-authorized care Joining the network, getting paid, and filling prescriptions Care Coordination How VA receives, authorizes, and coordinates community care episodes. department.va.gov Community Care Network (CCN) Regions, third-party administrators, and provider resources. department.va.gov Standardized Episodes of Care (SEOCs) Services and timeframes covered under an authorization. department.va.gov Optum VA CCN — Regions 1–3 Provider portal and network enrollment. vacommunitycare.com Precertification Requirements Services that require VA precertification before delivery. department.va.gov TriWest VA CCN — Regions 4–5 Join the TriWest provider network. joinournetwork.triwest.com HSRM Support Contacts Help with HealthShare Referral Manager referrals and documents. department.va.gov Provider Claims Submit, correct, and appeal community care claims. department.va.gov Facility Community Care Contacts Find the community care office for a veteran’s VA facility. department.va.gov Prescriptions at Non-VA Pharmacies How veterans fill urgent and community care prescriptions. www.va.gov Oncology at VA & Research Veteran & Family Support Cancer programs, pathways, and trial access Benefits, caregivers, and everyday support VA National Oncology Program VA cancer services, tools, and systems of excellence. cancer.va.gov U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Manage VA benefits and health care. www.va.gov VA Oncology Clinical Pathways Evidence-based treatment pathways used across VA. cancer.va.gov Women Veterans Health Care Care and resources for women veterans. www.womenshealth.va.gov VA Cancer Clinical Trials (fact sheet) How veterans can access clinical trials through VA. cancer.va.gov Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers Eligibility and support for family caregivers. www.va.gov Clinical Trials for Veterans (NAVREF) Industry–VA research partnerships. navref.org Military OneSource 24/7 information and confidential help. www.militaryonesource.mil PACT Act & Toxic Exposure Benefits Presumptive conditions, screening, and how to apply. www.va.gov VA Drug Coverage & Medicare Part D How VA and Medicare drug benefits work together. www.medicareinteractive.org Exposure Ed Mobile App Military exposure information for providers. mobile.va.gov Veterans Crisis Line **CHAT ONLINE** Free, confidential support 24/7 for veterans and their loved ones. Dial 988, then press 1, or chat online. ## 08 Education & Perspectives **Education Anchor** EDUCATION · INTERNATIONAL MONTHLY WEBINARS Veteran care webinars Revisit recent sessions on veteran cancer care, precision oncology, treatment access, and emerging therapies—and look ahead to our upcoming webinar. VETERANS & GI CANCER VETERANS & NSCLC VETERANS & CLL VETERANS & PROSTATE CANCER Optimizing Care for Veterans with Gastrointestinal Cancer Precision Oncology and Emerging Therapies Patient Access, Theranostics, and Emerging Treatment Strategies in Oncology Veteran Care & Rural Access Explore advances in gastrointestinal cancer care and strategies to improve screening, treatment access, and care coordination. Explore precision oncology, treatment access, and emerging therapies for NSCLC and relapsed/refractory CLL/SLL. Revisit advances in prostate cancer care for veterans and strategies to address rural access barriers. Explore perspectives on patient access and emerging treatment strategies, including care for veterans with CLL. **Save the Date:** Nov 19 at 2pm ET [View webinar](https://ncoda.org/webinars/may-international-webinar-2026/) [View webinar](https://ncoda.org/webinars/june-international-webinar-2026/) [View webinar](https://ncoda.org/webinars/july-international-webinar-2026/) Beyond Service: Supporting Veterans and Their Families Through Cancer Care PRESS PLAY · PQI PODCAST In observance of Veterans Day, the PQI Podcast explores the unique healthcare challenges veterans and their families face and the resources available to support them throughout their cancer care journeys. Meghan Wagner, Director of Physical Health and Wellness and a member of a Gold Star family, andAlex Balbir, PhD, MBA, Director of Complex Case Coordination, both fromWounded Warrior Project, discuss whole-person care, barriers to healthcare access, and the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of veterans and their families. Beyond Service **LISTEN TO THE EPISODE** Perspectives from the NCODA community FEATURED EDITORIAL PERSPECTIVE INTERVIEW PERSPECTIVE Expanding Access to Clinical Trials for Veterans Best Practices for Patient Management in Veteran Health Serving Those Who Served: Delivering Oncology Care to Veterans Opportunity Awaits: Addressing the Unique Needs of Veterans Diagnosed with Cancer A conversation with NAVREF CEO Rashi Romanoff about connecting veterans with cancer research opportunities. Perspectives on the complex needs of veterans receiving cancer care. Former VA oncology pharmacist Nigina Ali, PharmD, on VA and private-sector care. Delays, barriers, and a call for collaboration among providers, the VA, and policymakers. Read more Read more Read more Read more ## 09 Recognition — With Gratitude **Recognition Anchor** RECOGNIZING OUR CONTRIBUTORS With gratitude Thank you to the NCODA members who generously shared their time, insight, and real-world experience to support the development of our new veteran care resources. Donna Gallenstein Jessica Garris Tammy McClellan Brian Meger RN, BSN BSN, RN, OCN PharmD PharmD ## 10 Closing — Thank You To all who have served, thank you. We are grateful for your service and for the care teams supporting veterans and their families every day. **BECOME A MEMBER** **CONTACT US ABOUT VETERAN INITIATIVES** ## Frame