Changing your VA doctor, or disputing a treatment decision

How assignment works

You choose the VA location; the VA assigns your primary care team. You can’t pick a specific provider up front, but VA patient rights say you have the right to be involved in choosing your provider, to agree to or refuse treatment, and to complain without fear of retaliation.

VA patient rights

Asking for a different provider

Talk to your health care team leader, or to the Patient Advocate at your VA medical center. Say plainly that you’d like a different primary care provider and why. Some facilities have their own request form; ask.

Your primary care provider and team

Raising a concern

• Start with your care team.
• If that doesn’t fix it, ask for the provider’s supervisor or the chief of the service.
• Then contact the Patient Advocate, whose number is on each location’s page here.

Steps and ready-to-send letters

Appealing a treatment decision (clinical appeal)

If you disagree with a decision about your care, such as a denied treatment or test, send a written request to the Patient Advocate. The facility’s chief medical officer reviews it, and you can appeal further to the regional network (VISN).

Clinical appeals