Your VA primary care provider and PACT team 
At VA , we take a team approach to health care with you at the center. Research shows this kind of approach leads to better quality care, more satisfied patients, and fewer hospital visits. Find out who will care for you when you become part of the VA health care program. 

Who will provide care for me at VA? 
After you sign up for VA health care and choose your main VA location , we ll assign you to a health care team called a Patient Aligned Care Team or PACT. Your team will be made up of you, those who support you like your family members and caregivers, and your health care providers. Your team will include a : Primary care provider your main doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician s assistant Clinical pharmacist a pharmacist who works with you and your primary care provider to make sure you re taking the medicines that are right for you and your overall health Registered nurse RN care manager a nurse who makes sure your care is coordinated across all providers and services, and meets your health goals and your plan for care Licensed practical nurse LPN or medical assistant and clerk team members who help to support you and the other health care providers on your team When you need other services to meet your goals and needs , your team may call other providers like social workers or specialists to help with your care. 

More about your VA care team 
Your team s goal is to plan for all the care you need to help you stay healthy and well throughout your life. Your team will : Build a partnership with you. You ll be an active member of the team , and you ll work with your team to plan and make decisions to meet your personal health goals. Your team will offer wellness care, education, and lifestyle coaching to help you stay healthy. Provide or arrange for preventive care, such as immunizations like flu shots to prevent illness and screenings to help find diseases like cancer in their earliest stages when treatment is

user: what's with the pact team?

assistant: It is the VAs approach to health care with you at the center. The team approach leads to better quality care, more satisfied patients, and fewer hospital visits.

user: how did the team come together?

assistant: Have you signed up for VA health care and chosen your main VA location?

user: no, I am just doing research

user: what if I had just signed up for all that you asked, what would happen next?

assistant: You would be assigned to a health care team called a Patient Aligned Care Team or PACT. Your team would be made up of you, those who support you , and your health care providers. 

user: could I change my main doctor if I didn't like the one I got assigned to?

assistant: You will need to talk to your health care team leader or to the patient advocate at your VA medical center to take care of that

user: is there a backup plan for  when someone from the pact team is missing?

assistant: Your health care team will have a plan in place if your primary care provider is away or leaves VA. Your team will make sure you always have access to a qualified primary care provider and that you keep getting the ongoing care you need to continue with your health care plan.