VA Form 10-10171-NH: Veterans Nursing Home Care Guide – Veterans seeking long-term or skilled nursing care outside VA facilities often rely on community options. VA Form 10-10171-NH (a specialized version of the VHA Veterans Care Agreement) enables nursing homes and providers to partner with the VA through Veterans Care Agreements (VCAs). These agreements support care when VA’s main networks cannot fully meet demand.
What Is VA Form 10-10171-NH?
VA Form 10-10171-NH is the Veterans Care Agreement – Nursing Home form. It formalizes agreements between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and community nursing home providers under 38 U.S.C. § 1703A and related regulations (38 CFR §§ 17.4100-17.4135).
This form outlines terms for providing authorized extended care services, skilled nursing, and related medically necessary care to eligible Veterans. It is distinct from broader community care network contracts and is used in limited situations where standard networks fall short.
Download the official form here:
Download VA Form 10-10171-NH PDF
Who Uses VA Form 10-10171-NH?
- Nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) seeking to provide care to Veterans.
- VA medical facilities that initiate agreements with community providers.
- Primarily for extended care (often 101+ days) or short stays (1-100 days) in non-VA nursing homes.
Providers must meet strict requirements, including Medicare/Medicaid certification, active licensure, malpractice insurance, credentialing, and compliance with VA standards (e.g., opioid safety training).
Eligibility for Veterans Nursing Home Care via Community Providers
Veterans must first be enrolled in VA health care. Eligibility for Community Nursing Home care depends on:
- Clinical need for skilled nursing or long-term care.
- Service-connected (SC) disability status — e.g., care needed for a service-connected condition, 70%+ SC rating, or total disability based on individual unemployability.
- Income and resource considerations for non-service-connected cases.
VA prioritizes placements near family when possible. Veterans or families should contact a VA social worker or use the VA Facility Locator to discuss options.
How Providers Establish a Veterans Care Agreement (VCA)?
- Contact the nearest VA medical facility to express interest.
- Complete VA Form 10-10171 (or the NH variant) and undergo full credentialing through VA’s contractor (e.g., RLDatix/Verge Health).
- Meet ongoing requirements: Medicare-certified SNF status, compliance with federal/state laws, notifications for adverse events, etc.
- Once approved, the agreement typically lasts 3 years with periodic re-credentialing.
Tip for Providers: VCAs are ideal when Community Care Network (CCN) options are insufficient.
What Services Are Covered Under the Agreement?
Covered services include medically necessary hospital care, medical services, and extended care authorized in advance by VA. Authorizations require prior approval, include consults and medical history, and specify dates and scope (often using Standardized Episodes of Care).
- Nursing home stays (short-term rehab or long-term).
- Compliance with VA National Formulary for medications.
- No coverage for unauthorized emergency care.
Authorization, Referrals, and Billing Process
All care must receive prior VA authorization. Providers submit claims according to VA processes, often aligned with Medicare SNF Prospective Payment System (PDPM) with VA-specific adjustments.
Disputes or appeals follow specific timelines outlined in the agreement.
Benefits for Veterans and Providers
- Veterans: Access to care closer to home and family when VA facilities have limited availability.
- Providers: Opportunity to serve Veterans, receive VA payments, and build partnerships with a major federal health system.
How to Get Started?
For Veterans/Families:
Talk to your VA primary care provider, social worker, or geriatric care team. Apply for VA health benefits if needed via VA Form 10-10EZ.
For Nursing Homes/Providers:
Use the VA Facility Locator to contact your local VA medical center’s Community Care office.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is VA Form 10-10171-NH the same as the general VCA form?
It is a nursing home-specific version tailored for extended care facilities.
Do all nursing homes accept VA patients?
No — only those with active agreements or network participation.
What if a Veteran doesn’t qualify for full VA payment?
They may still access community care but could need to use private pay, Medicare, or Medicaid.
For the most current details, always refer to official VA sources and consult professionals, as policies can evolve.
This article is for informational purposes. Contact the VA directly for personalized guidance.