VA Close to Me Program Offers Mesothelioma Cancer Care at Outpatient Clinics

Many U.S. veterans with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases don’t live close to a VA cancer center. In these cases, getting treatment through the VA can mean long drives, time away from family, and paying to stay at hotels or other lodging.

The VA’s Close to Me program is designed to make cancer treatment more accessible by bringing certain therapies to Community-Based Outpatient Clinics or even to a veteran’s home.

By bringing eligible cancer services closer to where veterans live, the VA is working to make treatment more accessible.

At the Mesothelioma Veterans Center, we’re ready to help your family get the best care near where you live, too. Get our Free Veterans Packet to learn more.

What Is the VA Close to Me Program?

The VA Close to Me program is an initiative that brings certain cancer treatments nearer to the homes of veterans.

Instead of requiring veterans to travel to a medical center for infusions of chemotherapy or immunotherapy, the program makes cancer therapies available at outpatient clinics.

The program uses a hub-and-spoke model, with larger VA medical centers supporting the community outpatient clinics.

Veterans can receive appropriate treatments closer to home without necessarily having to travel to the main VA facility nearest to them for every appointment.

The Close to Me program can help veterans by:

• Lowering transportation barriers: Veterans who have difficulty traveling long distances may have an easier time accessing treatment locally. The program is particularly valuable for veterans who live in rural or underserved areas far from a major VA medical center.
• Reducing travel time: For veterans undergoing repeated cancer treatments, reducing the burden of getting to and from appointments can make a meaningful difference.
• Supporting care: Local clinics remain connected to larger VA medical centers, allowing veterans to receive treatment within the VA health care system.

To date, treatment adherence has reached 98.7%, highlighting how reducing the burden of travel may help veterans more easily get the treatments they need.

Where Is the VA Close to Me Program in Operation?

Since the first Close to Me service launched at the Minneapolis VA in 2021, the program has expanded significantly, becoming a national VA initiative.

The VA continues to expand Close to Me to more communities, with a focus on making cancer treatment more accessible for veterans who face long travel distances to major VA cancer centers.

As the program grows, more veterans may be able to receive eligible cancer treatments at a nearby VA clinic. Veterans interested in Close to Me should contact their VA health care team to find out whether the program is available in their area and their treatment qualifies.

What Does the VA's Close to Me Program Help With?

The VA's Close to Me program helps veterans receive certain cancer infusions closer to home rather than traveling to a larger VA medical center for every treatment.

The program can be used for several types of cancer, depending on the veteran's diagnosis, prescribed therapy, and which VA cancer center is nearest.

For veterans with mesothelioma, this may make repeated infusion appointments easier to manage, particularly when traveling to a VA medical center would require significant time or burden.

Treatments and conditions that may qualify include:

• Chemotherapy infusions
• Immunotherapy
• Targeted cancer therapies
• Lung cancer
• Mesothelioma
• Other cancers treated with infusions

Close to Me eligibility depends on the veteran's medical needs and whether the local VA clinic has the staff and resources needed to safely administer the treatment in question.

Veterans should speak with their VA oncology or health care team to determine if their treatment can be provided through Close to Me.

Find VA Locations for Mesothelioma Near Me

Accessing the right cancer care can be challenging for veterans with mesothelioma, especially when treatment requires frequent travel.

Programs like VA Close to Me may help eligible veterans receive certain cancer treatments closer to home, potentially reducing the time and travel involved in getting care.

If you or a veteran you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, we’re here to support you.

Our dedicated team can help you:

• Connect with top VA cancer centers and doctors near you
• Manage mesothelioma-related expenses
• Pursue additional resources to keep your family safe

Get our Free Veterans Packet now to learn more about accessing mesothelioma treatments through the VA, finding care close to home, and accessing compensation to cover costs.