VA Home Care Services: What Agencies Need to Know About VA Payments, Pitfalls, and Potential

Veterans deserve high-quality, consistent care—and many home care agencies feel a deep sense of purpose in serving this community. But working with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) brings its own set of operational and billing challenges. From unclear visit authorizations to delayed VA payments, it’s not always a smooth ride.

Still, for agencies equipped with the right tools and mindset, VA home care can be a rewarding, sustainable expansion—one that blends mission with growth.

So what does it really take to offer VA home care services successfully? And how can agencies prepare to manage the billing complexities that come with it?

Understanding VA Home Care Programs

The VA offers several pathways to support in-home care for eligible veterans. The most commonly used include:

• Homemaker and Home Health Aide (H/HHA) Services, which provide support for daily living tasks such as bathing, dressing, and meal preparation. These services help veterans live independently while relieving caregiver burden.
• Aid and Attendance Benefits, a supplement to the VA pension for veterans who need assistance with daily activities. This benefit allows families to hire home care providers directly.
• VA Community Care Network (CCN), which contracts with agencies to deliver care authorized and paid for by the VA under specific guidelines.

Each of these programs has its own eligibility requirements, authorization process, and billing nuances—making preparation essential before diving in.

What to Expect from VA Payments

While the VA does provide funding for in-home care services, payments are often a sticking point for providers. Many agencies report delays in reimbursement, confusion around what services are covered, and inconsistencies in how claims are processed.

Common challenges include:

• Long processing times for submitted claims
• Difficulty obtaining and managing care authorizations
• Inflexible rules around visit types and hours of care
• Manual billing steps that increase the risk of error

In short: the opportunity is real, but so is the operational lift. And if your agency is using outdated or disconnected systems, the burden only grows.

Why Integrated Software Is Critical

Too often, agencies rely on a billing system that operates separately from their scheduling tools, client records, or visit verification platform. When those systems aren’t connected, teams are left juggling multiple platforms and re-entering the same information—opening the door to errors, inefficiencies, and delayed VA payments.

That’s why using an all-in-one software solution—where scheduling, billing, visit verification, and documentation all work together—is more than a convenience. It’s a strategic advantage. With everything tied together, agencies can track authorizations, ensure visit accuracy, and generate clean claims that get paid faster. And when you’re working with a payer as complex as the VA, that kind of cohesion isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Growing with Confidence

VA home care can be a meaningful and profitable service line, but only if your agency is set up to manage the complexities. That means knowing the programs, understanding the payment structure, and using technology that supports your workflow from start to finish.

If your agency is considering VA home care services, now is the time to evaluate your internal processes—and make sure your systems are ready to support a smoother, more compliant experience for both your team and your clients.