Transfers
Information about facilities that are pending transfer from Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) to VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS) will be available on this page.
The VA Clinics in Stockton, Sonora, and Modesto, which are currently overseen by the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS), will transfer to the VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS) on the following dates:
- October 9, 2022 – Stockton VA Clinic
- November 6, 2022 – Sonora VA Clinic
- January 15, 2023 – Modesto VA Clinic.
As required by the MISSION Act of 2018, VA conducted market assessments – studies of every VA market across the country designed to understand the makeup of our Veterans by health care needs, age, race, gender, era they served, and where they live. The assessments determined these transfers will increase convenience and access to specialty care services located at the Sacramento VA Medical Center and reduce travel times for Veterans based in Calaveras, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, and Stanislaus counties.
Veterans who receive their care at one of the transferring clinics do not need to take any action as a result of these transfers. care team at the clinic will not change. After the corresponding transfer date for each clinic, please call the VANCHCS Call Center at 1-800-382-8387 if you need to schedule a new appointment or reschedule an existing appointment. The call center is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time, excluding federal holidays, Monday through Friday.
We understand some Veterans may wish to continue to receive their care at VAPAHCS. We honor that right. All Veteran referrals for care at VAPAHCS will be coordinated by the care teams.
We are committed to ensuring the transfers are as seamless as possible for our Veterans and employees. These clinics will remain open and are not closing. Construction of the new Stockton VA Clinic will continue. Please see below for frequently-asked-questions.
How will shuttle services operate after the clinics transfer?
When each clinic transfers to VA Northern California, shuttles that go to/from that clinic, the Palo Alto VA Medical Center, and the Livermore VA Clinic will no longer run. After the clinic transfer dates, shuttle services to/from that clinic and the Sacramento VA Medical Center will begin. Shuttle schedules and their start dates are listed below.
Will community care services be impacted by the transfers?
No. VA provides care to Veterans through community providers when VA cannot provide the care needed. Veterans who receive their care at either the Stockton, Sonora or Modesto VA Clinic and are currently receiving care and services from community providers will continue to receive those services. VA Northern California (VANCHCS) works with a third-party administrator, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, to schedule appointments with providers in the VA Community Care Network, the preferred national network VA uses to purchase care for Veterans in their community.
To contact VANCHCS community care, call 707-562-8430, option 2.
Does VA Northern California have lodging options at the Sacramento VAMC similar to the Defender’s Lodge at VA Palo Alto?
No. However, VA Northern California does offer lodging options to eligible Veterans at the Sacramento, Martinez and Fairfield sites of care.
Veterans eligible for bene travel will still qualify for hoptel services after the transfers if they are:
- Traveling to the Sacramento VA Medical Center, Martinez VA Medical Center, or David Grant Medical Center for a procedure or procedure-related appointment such as pre-op or post-op appointment
AND
- Driving for at least two hours based on the shortest route according to Bing Maps
AND
- Determined to be clinically stable and capable of self-care, or the patient will be accompanied by a caregiver who is able to provide all necessary
AND
- Approved for an overnight stay by a medical provider who deems the visit is medically necessary.
Veterans who are ineligible for bene travel who travel to the Sacramento VA Medical Center, Martinez VA Medical Center, or David Grant Medical Center could qualify for rooms at the government rate at some local hotels.
To request a hoptel stay at VA Northern California, Veterans can contact the clinic where they have a scheduled appointment.