McMinnville VA Clinic Transition

This website serves as a one-stop shop for Veterans, their families, and caregivers to receive factual information about the McMinnville VA Clinic closure. VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) is here to guide Veterans every step of the way and ensure this transition is as smooth as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the clinic closing?

End of business hours on May 31, 2026.

What if I have an appointment scheduled before the McMinnville VA Closes?

Veterans with scheduled appointments will continue to be seen at McMinnville VA Clinic until June 1.

Why is the clinic closing?

The McMinnville VA Clinic, which is operated by third-party contracted staffing company, has faced significant staffing challenges for the last several years due to a lack of providers in the area. Despite repeated efforts to drive improvements, the contracted company was unable to consistently staff the facility, resulting in Veterans frequently seeing new providers. On average, each patient experienced changes in their assigned provider approximately 20 times over the five years this facility has been open.

Based on collected Veteran feedback over five years, 79% of patients reported they trusted the McMinnville VA Clinic for their care, which is below VA's national average. Additionally, Veterans reported an average trust score of 92.5% in fiscal year 2025 at locations operated by VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System. 

Veterans have better health care outcomes when managed by VA. Additionally, VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System is one of four hospitals in Tennessee to earn a five-star rating meaning TVHS meets and exceeds national health care standards.

Where will I go for my care?

Veterans will be contacted by TVHS to discuss and arrange their health care appointments and options. 

Ultimately, Veterans will choose where they prefer to go for their care based on their location. 

Veterans can expect to be seen at the Tullahoma VA Clinic, Cookeville VA Clinic, or an in-network community care provider.  In very few cases, depending on where the Veteran lives, Veterans may have the option to go to Chattanooga VA Clinic, Nashville VA Medical Center, or the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center.

If they prefer and choose, Veterans residing on the western side of Warren County will have the option to go to the Tullahoma VA Clinic located on Arnold Air Force Base. Veterans assigned to this clinic will be seen starting June 1, 2026. This clinic is 45 minutes from McMinnville.

If they prefer and choose, Veterans on the eastern side of Warren County will have the option to go to the Cookeville VA Clinic. This clinic is 45 minutes from McMinnville. 

Veterans may also be eligible and referred to a nearby, in-network community care provider. 

When will I have my next appointment? 

Veterans will be contacted by TVHS to discuss and arrange their health care appointments and options. Any Veterans transferred to the Tullahoma VA Clinic will be seen as early as June 1, 2026. 

When will I be contacted? 

Veterans can expect to hear from TVHS team members starting in March through May. All patients will be contacted and rescheduled to guide them through this transition. 

Patients can expect to receive multiple notifications through phone calls, appointment letters, appointment postcard reminders, emails, and secure messages on the My HealtheVet online patient portal. 

How can I get my medication refilled?

After Veterans have been contacted and their care successfully transferred, your new primary care provider will be able to see your current and previous medications. You can request a medication refill using My HealtheVet or speaking with your new care team.

Can I use Community Care?

Yes, some Veterans may be eligible for Community Care. Veterans will be contacted by TVHS to discuss and arrange their health care appointments and options. 

How can I contact TVHS Community Care?

For Community Care questions related to the McMinnville VA Clinic, please call Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. CT. 

Do I have to travel to the Chattanooga VA Clinic, Nashville VA Medical Center, or Alvin C. York VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro?

Depending on their location as well as their preference, it may be closer for Veterans to have their care transferred to the Chattanooga VA Clinic, Nashville VA Medical Center, or Alvin C. York VA Medical Center. Approximately 200 Veterans fall in this category. 

Will the McMinnville VA Clinic reopen?

No. At this time, the long-term plan is to close the McMinnville VA Clinic to consolidate and centralize care among Coffee County, Warren County, and the surrounding area. The recommendation to centralize care in this area is based on data assessments from Market Area Health Systems Optimization (MAHSO). 

What is Market Area Health System Optimization (MAHSO)?

In 2018, the VA MISSION Act was signed into law. The MISSION Act established VA’s Community Care Program as well as required the VA Market Area Health Systems Optimization (MAHSO). 

The MAHSO effort developed 96 draft market assessments for all 18 VA health care regions called Veterans Integrated Service Networks, or VISNs for short. These assessments outline opportunities to enhance high-performing health care networks across the county based on growth and population trends.

For our region, the market area assessment recommended the McMinnville VA Clinic close, and care be consolidated and centralized among Coffee County, Warren County, and the surrounding area to enhance Veterans’ access to care.

Why can't VA staff the clinic?

TVHS was unable to staff this clinic due to hiring limitations and staffing level caps.

Will another clinic be opening?

Yes, several. TVHS is rapidly expanding its footprint and modernizing its infrastructure to meet today's health care needs. By 2030, TVHS will open three brand new clinics in Nashville, Clarksville, and Cookeville that are funded by the PACT Act. TVHS will also build two new clinics in Bowling Green and Columbia by 2029.

TVHS is also expanding its footprint at the Tullahoma VA Clinic located on Arnold Air Force Base allowing us to see nearly 2,000 more patients than our current capacity there. Additionally, VA is exploring opportunities to consolidate and centralize care among Coffee County, Warren County, and the surrounding area. The recommendation to centralize care in this area is based on data assessments from Market Area Health Systems Optimization (MAHSO). 

These expansions in Tullahoma and the surrounding area will positively impact Veterans access to care.

How many Veterans are impacted?

Approximately 1,840 Veterans receive care at the McMinnville VA Clinic. 67% of Veterans reside near the Tullahoma VA Clinic. 21% of Veterans reside near the Cookeville VA Clinic. 12% of Veterans reside in other areas that may be closer to Nashville, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, or a nearby community care provider. 

All Veterans will be contacted by TVHS to discuss and arrange their health care appointments and options. 

I require special transportation to my appointment. How will VA assist?

TVHS will provide transportation services for Veterans who meet the eligibility and requirement criteria. Veterans who are wheelchair-bound or have other eligible limitations where transportation services are required will receive transportation assistance from TVHS. 

Am I eligible for beneficiary travel?

Eligible Veterans will be reimbursed for beneficiary travel payments based on their commute. Veterans must meet the criteria to be eligible and receive beneficiary travel. 

How can I get onto Arnold Air Force Base for the Tullahoma VA Clinic?

TVHS staff will register Veterans with Arnold Air Force Base to ensure they can seamlessly enter the base. Veterans must have a Real ID to access the Tullahoma VA Clinic on Arnold Air Force.

Due to DOD requirements and heightened security measures, visitors are not allowed on Arnold Air Force Base. The only visitors allowed to accompany Veterans are their registered caregivers. Caregivers must be registered through the VA and present the proper paperwork.

For questions on gaining access to Arnold Air Force Base for the Tullahoma VA Clinic please call .

How can my spouse/family member become an official caregiver?

Individuals interested in becoming a VA Caregiver for their Veteran must apply to VA’s Caregiver Support Program. To apply, talk with your VA Primary Care Provider or call the Caregiver Support Line Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET at 1-. 

You may also visit www.caregiver.va.gov/CAREGIVER/index.asp.

I still have questions about the McMinnville VA Clinic closing. Who can I talk to?

VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System will host a Veterans town hall Friday, March 20 from 6 -7:30 p.m. CT at the Warren County Administration Building located at 201 Locust St, McMinnville, TN. 

The town hall will be livestreamed on VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System's Facebook page  for Veterans and their family to learn more about the transition process.

What is the purpose of the town hall?

McMinnville Veterans will hear updates and information regarding the closure of the McMinnville VA Clinic as well as learn about upcoming modernization efforts in the area. Veterans will have an opportunity to ask questions about the transition.

What time does the town hall start?

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. The event will start at 6 p.m. and conclude at 7:30 p.m. The town hall will be held in-person and livestreamed on VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Facebook page.

I was unable to register for the town hall. Can I still attend?

Yes, Veterans may still show up and register at the door. Veterans will not be turned away. The town hall will be livestreamed on VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System's Facebook page starting at 6 p.m. CT.  

Why is registration required for the town hall?

Due to the recent events in Austin, Texas and in Iran, TVHS is implementing additional safety measures to ensure the safety of the Veterans, caregivers, and families in attendance. 

Registration helps us track who is coming to the event and allows our team and local police to check your ID to verify your registration. Registration also helps our team contact you after the town hall and ensure we do not exceed the venue capacity in the event of an emergency. 

Do I have to go to the town hall to update my appointment information?

No. Veterans will be contacted by TVHS to discuss and arrange their health care appointments and options. 

Will VA move the town hall location due to the capacity limit?

At this time, no. Nearby venues are booked on the same date. The Milner Center is not available until late April pushing the town hall nearly one month away from the closing. 

Why did VA not tell me about this sooner?                       

Unfortunately, pre-decisional information was shared ahead of schedule leading to confusion and misinformation within the local community. TVHS anticipated informing Veterans in mid-March via phone calls, appointment letters, and at the March 20 town hall. 

I have questions or concerns regarding my health care experience. Who can I call?

You may contact the TVHS Patient Advocates at .